Is Belonging What You Do, Who You’re With, or Who You Are? Three Pathways of Belonging Among Latino/a Co–ethnics at a Predominantly White Institution.

Research shows that ethnic-based organizations cultivate important support and sense of belonging for Latino/a undergraduates, yet not all students participate in these organizations. Drawing on interviews with self-identified Latino/a students attending a predominantly White institution, we find belonging is neither uniform nor static. Three overlapping pathways to Latino/a belonging emerged: a) the “organizational” community students created through active and visible participation in Latino/a clubs and programming; b) “pockets” of Latino/a-based friendships; and c) an “all-encompassing” community that emphasizes Latino/a solidarity through individual actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]