Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
7-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Organizational Leadership
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Robert Voelkel
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Julie Lane
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Dena Counts
Abstract
This qualitative descriptive study explored the lived experiences of undocumented Latinx students at a southern U.S. community college, identifying support services that assisted students with barriers that emerged in their academic journey. The problem of the study was the complex challenges undocumented students face in higher education and how they are addressed and supported. The research used a qualitative descriptive methodology to magnify student voices and influence institutional policies. Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as the theoretical framework, this study examined how family, culture, policy, and institutional systems influenced undocumented students’ educational journeys. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight undocumented Latinx students. Transcriptions were produced using Otter.ai software and verified through member checking to enhance credibility and confirmability. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants, and the data collection process included recorded interviews, researcher field notes, and a follow-up Likert scale postsurvey to confirm interpretation accuracy. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: family support, cultural identity, belonging, resilience in the face of barriers, and a strong sense of purpose. Findings indicated that bilingual advisors, culturally responsive practices, and holistic support systems were critical in student persistence. Participants emphasized the importance of accessible, inclusive resources and the need for staff trained in the realities of undocumented student assistance and experiences.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Ortiz Segura, Elvia, "Unheard Echoes: Undocumented Students’ Success Amidst Challenges at U.S. Higher Education Community Colleges" (2025). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 921.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/921
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Community College Leadership Commons, Higher Education Commons