Latino success stories in higher education: A qualitative study of recent graduates from a health science center. Page: 164
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always had problems with reading, which may have resulted in him failing the board exams
twice, he was able to find a solution instead of dwelling on what might happen if he failed a third
and final time. "I'm a person that likes to, I don't like to encounter obstacles, but if I do
encounter obstacles, I'm a person that's resourceful and creative enough and open enough to find
out what the problem might be and try to solve it."
A positive mental outlook can also be seen in how each of these participants handled
potential barriers such as discrimination and racism, again rejecting negative messages.
According to Grandy (1998), discrimination and racism can be powerful barriers to students.
Several studies (Allen, 1999; Cardoza, 1991; Hurtado, 1992 & 1994; Loo & Rolison, 1986; Nora
and Cabrera, 1996; Smedley et al., 1993; Solberg, 1993) have found that the barriers that most
impede minority student success include poor self-concept and the inability to cope with racism
in an academic setting. The four research participants in this study clearly indicated that they
have high self-concepts as evidenced by their positive mental outlooks, indicating a strong
internal locus of control. When faced with instances of discrimination and racism, the four
participants were also able to find ways to cope by seeking cultural community. Throughout their
lives, the four participants have either ignored what they perceived to be discrimination or
questioned it. When they made their way into graduate or professional school, the Family
Doctor, the Scientist, and the Internist actively sought other Latino students through involvement
in student organizations, finding support from students like themselves as a possible means of
coping with discrimination and racism. The Scientist and the Internist both served as presidents
of different Latino groups on campus. The Family Doctor was part of a group of students that
helped charter one of the minority groups on campus, specifically targeting Latino students. The
Nurse sought a doctoral degree from a school with a high percentage of Latino faculty members164
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Colley, Kay Lynne. Latino success stories in higher education: A qualitative study of recent graduates from a health science center., dissertation, May 2007; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3687/m1/174/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .