LA TERCERA FRONTERA : BUILDING UPON THE SCHOLARSHIP OF THE LATINO EXPERIENCE AS REPORTED IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

Abstract

In this article, we report on the articles published in Community College Journal of Research and Practice (CCJRP) from 1990 to 2000 regarding Latinos at community colleges. Although research published in CCJRP has produced important findings, we contend there is a need for a richer account of the experiences and understandings of Latinos at American community colleges. We propose a new line of research to investigate cultural barriers that undermine Latino success as community college students, faculty, staff, and campus leaders. We refer to these cultural barriers as "la tercera frontera". We conclude the article with discussion of heterogeneity and homogeneity, two key concepts that we believe are central to understanding la tercera frontera.