Space Matters: Immigrant College Students’ Perceptions of Belonging at Predominately White Institutions

Michael StebletonAssistant Professor Mike Stebleton from the Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning and Marina Aleixo, recent PhD graduate in Curriculum and Instruction, presented their research at the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) national conference. Entitled, “Space Matters: Immigrant College Students’ Perceptions of Belonging at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs)”, the presentation explored “how ethnic minority, immigrant students perceive physical space as a symbolic representation of their experiences at PWIs”. Stebleton and Aleixo applied an ecological model in order to highlight a contextual framework that would help the audience better understand immigrant students’ experiences. After reviewing student narratives, participants actively discussed various issues “of belonging and intersecting identities”. Stebleton and Aleixo aimed to focus on sharing high impact educational practices to help create spaces that promote belonging and social and academic engagement throughout university campuses.