We worked with the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies to understand the Latinx student experience. For many students, university is a time to explore cultural identities, and we found that students’ perceived cultural connections varied. Many students wanted more cultural visibility and saw room for more cultural competence on campus. We recommended actions to improve Latinx students’ campus experiences.
Access for Every Student
All students have equitable access to programs, services, resources, and spaces.
Fostering Connectedness
Students experience a sense of belonging and connection within the UofT community.
Future-Ready Students
Students have opportunities to develop their skills and build their confidence beyond academics.
Integrated Learning Experience
Students engage fully in learning experiences both within and outside of the classroom.
Whole Student Development
Students receive the support they need for their holistic well-being (physical, psychological, social, and emotional).
OUR FINDINGS
We used methods of diving deep into experiences, and allowing our understanding of students to inspire design, rather than jumping to solutions. By doing this, we move beyond the what questions to the underlying whys and hows. Thus, we reach insights that might otherwise be obscured by designers’ own assumptions.
Through these methods insights were further organized under four key themes:
- What It Means to Be Me
- Connected Through Culture
- Is Anybody Here for Me
- Money Matters
These themes structure the following sections of the report, in which we present the results of our analysis of interviews and additional data.
Read more about the project:
Research Team
Gabrielle Simmons
Libbie Bethune
Eva-Grace Clement-Cruz
Emily Encalada
Ana Rodriguez
Ana Torres Diaz
Design & Communications Team
Charis Lam
