Navigating Transitions: Supporting Undocumented Latinx Transfer Students in Hispanic Serving Institutions
Role: Lead Researcher
Undocumented Latinx students who transfer from community colleges to four-year universities face unique challenges that remain understudied in higher education research. This project examines how Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) either support or hinder the success of undocumented Latinx transfer students through institutional practices, campus climate, and staff perceptions. Through qualitative interviews with both undocumented Latinx transfer students and institutional staff at a public four-year HSI, we investigate how "servingness" is conceptualized and enacted in ways that impact educational access, belonging, and achievement for this overlooked student population. Our research illuminates the critical intersection of immigration status, transfer experiences, and institutional support mechanisms. Findings from this work aim to inform more intentional, equity-centered practices within HSIs to better serve undocumented students throughout their transfer journey. This project builds on existing frameworks of Transfer Receptive Culture and the Multidimensional Conceptual Framework of Servingness to develop practical recommendations for institutions committed to supporting undocumented student success.