A Phenomenological Study: Challenges for Undergraduate Nontraditional Hispanic Women Students on the Path to Degree Attainment

Abstract

This study was conducted at a small public university located in New Mexico, in the southwest area of the United States. The purpose of the study was to understand persistence to degree attainment of undergraduate nontraditional Hispanic women (NTHW) students at an institution which is Hispanic-serving (HSI). Challenges for NTHW students on the path to degree attainment include Hispanic cultural values around the homemaker role, attitudes toward higher education, social roles, and finances. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach illuminated understanding of the shared experiences of nine NTHW students. The findings of this study can help HSIs and policymakers understand the educational implications for NTHW students. States like New Mexico, a minority-majority state, would benefit from policies that help increase college completion of its nontraditional Hispanic citizenry.

Keywords:

• Hispanic-women
• nontraditional students
• undergraduate students
• phenomenology
• Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

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Notes on contributors

Melanie C. Zollner

Melanie C. Zollner is an Assistant Professor, Department of Business Administration at New Mexico Highlands University, New Mexico, USA. Her research interests include nontraditional Hispanic women students in higher education and the history of women’s education in the United States and Peru.