| Utilizing Chicana feminist epistemology and constructivist research methods, this case study explores how one Latina undergraduate student's family makes meaning of the first in the family to attend college. Stories emerged relating to the literal and figurative border crossings, bridge building, and the braiding of multiple, overlapping identities for each of the family members who participated in the research study. In addition, the importance of family, the unwavering support from family and campus community, the value of hard work and sacrifice, and the power of role modeling emerged as significant findings related to the family members' meaning making of their experiences.; Implications for future research include expanding this exploration with families within and across racial and ethnic identity, geographic location, socioeconomic class, family constellation and educational background, thus honoring students' braided identities. Research utilizing a longitudinal component, mixed methods, as well as focusing within and across institutional type would add to the existing literature in this area. Implications for practice include the need for a thorough review of institutional philosophies, policies and practices related to working with students' parents and families, which in turn, influences both pre-collegiate and collegiate programs and services for this very important constituency. |
