Analysis of Racialized Ideologies of Latino/a/x Engineering Students at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Emerging HSIs through Pláticas

For the past thirty years, there has been a notable increase in research focused on understanding the experiences of Latino/a/x engineering students at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and emerging HSIs. However, one aspect that has not received much attention is how historical racialization has influenced the social, cultural, and linguistic beliefs affecting the educational experiences of Latino/a/x engineering students in these institutions. This seminar aims to explore how historical concepts of race have molded and continue to shape the educational paths of Latino/a/x engineering students. Through the use of Pláticas, a form of expressive cultural communication involving listening, inquiry, storytelling, and story making, gathered from a longitudinal study, this seminar is intended to explore how racialization continues to impact Latino/a/x students' pathways in engineering. The objectives of this seminar are: (1) to amplify the voices of Latino/a/x engineering students and their experiences before and during their engineering education journeys; (2) to discuss the historical and current effects of racialized ideologies on Latinos/as/xs at HSIs and emerging HSIs; and (3) to examine the implications of this research for engineering education programs aiming to increase the participation of Latinos/as/xs.

Dr. Joel Alejandro (Alex) Mejia is an Associate Professor with joint appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering and the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio. His research has contributed to the integration of critical theoretical frameworks in engineering education to investigate deficit ideologies and their impact on minoritized communities, particularly Mexican Americans and Latinos/as/xs in the Southwest United States. Through his work, he analyzes and describes the assets, tensions, contradictions, and cultural collisions many Latino/a/x students experience in engineering through pláticas and testimonios. He is particularly interested in approaches that contribute to a more expansive understanding of engineering in sociocultural contexts, the impact of critical consciousness in engineering practice, and the development and implementation of culturally responsive pedagogies in engineering education.