What is Conscientizacao

The purpose of this study is to understand how the contextual complexities between Chicana feminist theory help leaders of higher education understand Latina retention in rural colleges and what Latina women encounter in their college experience. Despite the vast amounts of research that is known about the barriers they face in urban colleges (AACC, 2012; Biswas, 2005; ETS, 2007; NWLC, 2012; Payne & Fogerty, 2007), little is known about how a rural context affects the barriers and what works for Latinas that attend rural colleges. The purpose of the chapter is to learn from the literature review and from personal testimonials of what works and what these barriers to retention are and how administrators, and college personnel can better assist this population which will help Latinas succeed in rural colleges. This research is significant as a growing number of first generation Latina women are seeking a college education (Excelencia, 2010; McPhail, 2011; Santiago & Callen, 2010). This will have implications in the future of their lives and the future of higher education institutional policy, and not the least the future economic success of Latinas and how they view themselves as part of a positive college going experience (Cavazos, Johnson, & Sparrow, 2010; Gloria & Castellanos, 2012).