An Examination of Sense of Belonging in Second Generation Afro-Caribbean College Women at a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) are classified by the percentage of the institution’s student population who self-identify as Hispanic (US Department of Education, 2021). While HSI designations are supposed to further support minoritized students, researchers studying HSIs have identified the need for more direct support. To further the conversation about the role HSIs play in the larger educational landscape we facilitated a case study that examined the experiences of second-generation Afro-Caribbean female students attending an HSI. This project aimed to analyze thoughtfully and intentionally in the hopes of highlighting the impact students' sense of belonging can have on their connection to campus. This qualitative case study evaluated the experiences of second-generation Afro-Caribbean female students and was guided by the following question: How can HSIs create a sense of belonging for second-generation Afro-Caribbean female students? Results highlight assessing sense of belonging among African Diasporic college at HSIs often may be excluded.