Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

This case study examines student “ganas” (culturally rooted motivation) and cultural-structural processes. La Comunidad Intelectual (LCI) is a unique undergraduate Latinx learning community at a major research university. Student experiences represent symptoms of larger processes of a developing “minority” population (the largest “ethnic/racial” group in the USA) by defying xenophobia, reaching for higher academic goals, fuller economic structure participation, and buttressing all opportunities. Student leaders recently debuted a connected student organization geared to be financially and politically advantageous. LCI has a Latinx-Latin American focus in predominantly white New England. A national scan of flagship universities indicates LCI as premier, second only to maverick UCBerkeley’s socio-political model “house.” Ethnic/cultural/racial “minorities” are problematized as major states tilt toward “minority-majority” status. LCI students, most of whom are first-to-attend-college, adapt culturally to participate and flourish in society and a Predominantly White University (PWU). Their “ganas” and cautious structural assimilation are steps toward Latinx-defined success in a racial-economically stratified nation. LCI’s native Spanish, Portguese, Hatian-Creole speakers also dominate English. These conscious students know that Puerto Rico is not foreign, Mexican-Indian-Spanish families were historically evacuated for land-grabs, and that they are perceived as cultural and competitive threats. Students push ahead as multilingual, with increased potential to engage with global communities in public health, education, fine arts, engineering, business, politics. Co-directors/founders and student leaders use biography-of-work techniques. Research links interdisciplinary literature on adaptation, assimilation, Latinx student success, and “ganas.” Archive note materials are derived from syllabi, course plans, residential and research meetings, photos, group chat processes.