Encountering Racism in the Ivory Towers: A Qualitative Analysis of Mexican American Student Experiences in Higher Education.

This research will examine the experiences of Mexican American students at three universities in the United States. Specifically, I want to understand these students' encounters with racism and discrimination, in terms of their interaction with white students, faculty, and staff on campus, as well as the campus climate itself. Feagin's (2000) systemic racism theory frames this research. The best way to fully appreciate what students have experienced is to use qualitative methodology that includes both focus groups and individual in-depth interviews. Education is vitally important in order to succeed and advance in today's society. As more Mexican American students attend college, it is essential that we understand what they are experiencing in that environment, especially in regards to racism and discrimination. If these students face racism on a daily basis, how will this ultimately impact their chances of matriculating from college? This question is especially important given the fact that Latinos are currently the largest minority group and their numbers are projected to surpass white Americans in the next 30 years. It is important to understand what hurdles they face in higher education. My presentation will offer preliminary research findings from data that I will gather in the next few months. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]