Educational Leadership

College student organization participation can become a significant factor in the college student experience (Astin, 1993; Pascarella & Terenzini, 1991).  The chapter provides findings from a team of Latina/o student affairs practitioners and researchers using their own studies, literature reviews, and professional experience advising Latino student organizations (LSOs).  Specific learning outcomes that can result from being involved with LSOs will be addressed. Cultural identity, leadership, and academic development outcomes resulting from Latino involvement in Latino and minority organizations at different institutional types are considered.  The intersection of cultural identity with outcomes related to organization involvement is important to student affairs to enhance college environments conducive for student success.

College diplomas earn an important place on the office walls of higher education professionals.  For underrepresented groups, diplomas often symbolize journeys of personal development, overcoming obstacles, and self-discovery.  What stories do the diplomas of our student affairs administrators of color offer to students?  Using concepts of campus ecology and personal narratives supplemented by visual images, this session highlighted how diplomas of these administrators were more than just office décor.  They were important environmental cues that promoted persistence and achievement.

(Extended conference session) Over the years, ACPA has seen evidence of Latina/os breaking through the “adobe ceiling” in higher education (Burciaga, 1994).  Discussions on doctoral experiences and aspiring towards executive-level administration have been provided at previous meetings.  In this session, a panel of Latina/o tenure-track faculty in higher education student affairs will discussed reasons why Latina/o professionals should consider pursuing faculty roles as a means of breaking through the “adobe ceiling” and why they considered faculty roles after serving as student affairs administrators.

Convention institute. Latina/o students are now the largest minority group in U.S. colleges and universities. Research indicates that student involvement positively affects sense of belonging, which leads to student retention and overall student satisfaction with the college experience. This institute comprised of four separate sessions aimed to equip participants with practical approaches to apply to their own campus environments.

(Convention Institute) Moderator for a panel of Latina/o student affairs professionals working at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI's). Panelists described the benefits and administrative challenges facing student affairs professionals at all levels working at such institutions.

This exploratory survey study examined the student organization involvement of Latino college students, especially in Latino student organizations.  Subjective data from students was also be shared.  The impact of involvement in these groups on the college experience of Latinos, especially in college satisfaction and academic success, was explored.

Using recent research on Latina/o undergraduate experiences with academic advising, the presenters identified the need to reinforce cross-cultural counseling skills in advisor training and development.  Idiographic counseling models provide necessary tools to reduce trust issues.

Descriptive findings from a study of 328 Latina/o undergraduates attending two large Midwestern universities was presented to understand Latina/o involvement with college student organizations.  This presentation compared Latina/o participants and non-participants of minority student organizations.

The Mendenhall Summer Institute is a five-week program for 50 incoming freshmen at the University of St. Thomas, a Catholic liberal arts university in Houston, Texas.  Since 2008, the Mendenhall Summer Institute has prepared selected students for the academic rigors of a Catholic liberal arts education.  This program will describe practices used to produce an engaged community of learners.

MSC CAMAC has provided a legacy of leadership and cultural development for many members.  This session provided a unique opportunity for current college students to hear from former members who have stayed in regular contact with each other for well over 20 years.  Panelists shared why staying connected to each other is crucial for success, both now and in the future.

Former members of one large umbrella-type Latina/o student organization at a four-year public, flagship university located in Texas were interviewed approximately twenty years after their college attendance. The participants were involved in the organization between the years 1988 and 1992. The primary purpose of this exploratory study was to learn more about the possible long-term effect of Latina/o student organizations. The study found that former members still worked to promote the organization's goals of cultural advocacy, awareness, and pride twenty years after their college involvement. Recommendations are provided for further investigations on ethnic student organization involvement and its long-term effects.