Download PDFOpen PDF in browserSense of Belonging: Exploring the Narratives of Latinx Construction Education Students8 pages•Published: December 11, 2023AbstractThe demand for construction managers (CMs) in the United States continues to increase. Being predominately white and male-centric has not helped reduce the challenge that comes with the need for more CM professionals. This research explores the lived experience and supports systems Latinx students experience in construction education at a predominately white university utilizing the Latinx critical race theory (LatCrit) lens. Four first generation Latinx undergraduate students - two Latino (male) and two Latina (female) - participated in this study, and a semi-structured interview protocol that the Institution Review Board (IRB) approved was utilized. All study participants shared insights and reflected on their "sense of belonging" as construction education students at a predominantly white university. The female participants, in particular, explored how being a woman with limited construction work experience created a barrier to their sense of belonging. "Sources of support" like participating in a learning community, counterspaces, professor support, group involvement, and volunteer opportunities helped to boost individual morale and sense of belonging.Keyphrases: Construction Management, gender, LatCrit, sense of belonging, Women In: Tom Leathem, Wesley Collins and Anthony J. Perrenoud (editors). Proceedings of 59th Annual Associated Schools of Construction International Conference, vol 4, pages 750--757
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