PURPOSEFUL HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION IDENTITY FORMATION FOR LATINO STUDENT SUCCESS: A Conceptual Model and Plan to Create a Culture Supporting Latino Student Success at a Predominantly White Community College Planning to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Abstract

This study and practical application is intended to provide institutional guidance in the absence of direct research findings about creating an effective institutional culture at a predominantly White community college transitioning to a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Many higher education institutions in the United States are on the verge of HSI designation based on demographic shifts in student body composition, but becoming an HSI does not guarantee an institution is ready to support Latino student success in terms of equitable educational attainment (F. Contreras, Malcom, & Bensimon, 2008). Since the literature is nearly silent on institutional cultures which support Latino student success in any higher education context, this research will attempt to bridge the gap between what is known about Latina/o student retention and persistence at the community college and a conceptual model of a supportive institutional culture with the practical outcome of a plan for institutional change. Qualitative research on Latina/o student achievement at community colleges was analyzed utilizing thematic synthesis to develop a conceptual model of Latina/o community college student success. From these themes a conceptual model of institutional culture supportive of Latina/o student success is proposed as well as a planning process to facilitate rethinking the organizational culture to better support Latina/o students.