“Here, They Get Me”: The Sense of Belonging of Latina/o/x Undergraduates in Academic Success Programs

In recent decades the United States has experienced considerable growth in the Latina/o/x population. In 2014, Latina/o/xs made up approximately 17 percent of the U.S. population (U.S Census Bureau, 2015). The U.S Census Bureau projects that by 2060 the Latina/o/x population will be 29 percent of the U.S. population (U.S Census Bureau, 2015). While the Latina/o/x population is on the rise, post-secondary degree attainment for Latina/o/x students remains low. According to Excelencia in Education, in 2015, only 22 percent of Latina/o/x students received a post-secondary degree (Excelencia in Education, 2017). However, for those Latina/o/x students that enroll in post-secondary institutions, institutions must pay close attention to the challenges students might face as they enroll at these institutions. To address the enrollment, achievement, and graduation gap among Latina/o/x students, empirical research is necessary to understand how Latina/o/x students participate and engage in college culture and campus. Studies have shown that when students participate and engage in college, they develop a sense of belonging to a college campus and enhance their college identity and connection with the campus (Hurtado and Carter, 1997). Furthermore, minimal studies address how academic success programs bridge the complex challenges and sense of belonging of Latina/o/x students and influence their graduation rates. This dissertation examined the relationship between Latina/o/x undergraduate students and their sense of belonging to academic success programs, specifically at a Hispanic Service Institution (HSI). This study found that academic success programs fostered a sense of belonging for Latina/o/x students in three ways: 1) provided holistic academic advising, 2) validated their Latina/o/x identity and culture, 3) and encouraged students to graduate. Finally, this study contributes to the current literature on belonging among Latina/o/x undergraduates by developing a new model to guide college campuses in fostering a sense of belonging for Latina/o/x undergraduate students.