Latina/o Transfer Students’ Selective Integration and Spatial Awareness of University Spaces

Abstract

Using the framework of physical campus ecology and socio-academic integration moments theory, the researcher sought to identify physical university spaces that successful Latina/o transfer students turned to as sites of positive socio-academic integration. Findings revealed that students developed a keen spatial awareness of comfort spaces where they selectively engaged in moments of socio-academic, nonsocial, and nonacademic integration. This study is important to understand students’ perceptions about educational environments and whether universities can provide safe spaces for Latina/os.