Through the eyes of the Latine student: visual representations of racialized experiences within spaces of an emerging Hispanic-serving institution campus

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) have an important role in serving and supporting the Hispanic student populations on their campuses. The aim of this study is to give voice to the Hispanic/Latine student population and offer a counter-story to the dominant narrative within a predominantly White HSI. Utilizing Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) and Critical Race Spatial Analysis (CRSA), the researcher sought to critically evaluate the Hispanic-serving identity that emerging HSI campuses present to their Hispanic/Latine student population. Using Photovoice methodology, six, non-first year on campus, undergraduate Hispanic/Latine students were asked to take photos of spaces on their campus that make them feel comfortable, or uncomfortable with their Hispanic/Latine identity. Students were then asked to debrief the photos they took in a focus group format. Results indicate that students are very perceptive to their campus environment. This included navigating racist spaces, and utilizing other people, and peers to create places of refuge away from these racialized experiences. The utilization of the physical space photos coupled with the counter-narratives from the student participants mosaic a novel approach to service for HSI practitioners and policy makers.

Embargo status: Restricted until 06/2024. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left.