Protocol for a Study on Latinx Graduates, Graduation Personal Statements, and Cultural Capital

Undergraduate college graduation is a pivotal developmental milestone that marks a transition for graduates. Unfortunately, the graduation rate of Latinx students is not keeping up with their rapid growth in postsecondary institutions (Weissman, 2023). For this reason, understanding the success of Latinx graduates is key to fostering Latinx academic success and degree attainment in this developmental transition. Cultural strengths, including personal growth and knowledge and an emphasis on educational values, play an important role in the educational process for Latinx students (Hernandez et al., 2016). However, less is known about the meaning of graduation personal statements as a way for students to reflect on their experiences and indicate important cultural capital utilized for their degree attainment. Further research is needed using a strength-based approach to understanding cultural capital utilized by Latinx graduates within a qualitative approach. To address this gap, we will code quotes from Latinx graduates and identify areas of cultural capital that they draw upon and acknowledge as important to their positive academic outcomes using structured tabular thematic analysis (Robinson, 2022). Quotes are short personal statements that graduates were able to submit for print in the graduation program. Utilizing the graduation program from the Spring 2024 Hispanic Convocation ceremony, we will analyze 628 quotes using structured tabular thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2021). Focusing on positive cultural aspects that Latinx students use to bolster their academic journey has implications regarding the best support mechanisms institutions can provide for this population and what these students personally value in education.