“I wasn’t the only one going through it”: Understanding the mathematical experiences of Latinx STEM majors

"This study examines the experiences of four Latinx STEM major's mathematical experiences at a predominately white institution in the Midwest. Through the lenses of Rehumanizing Mathematics (Gutiérrez, 2017) and Sense of Belonging (Strayhorn, 2018), I argue for the use of Rehumanizing Mathematics x Sense of Belonging (RM x SB) to understand how the dimensions of Rehumanizing Mathematics seem to impact Latinx student's sense of belonging and inform how they participate/position themselves, understand their emotions and see themselves in mathematical spaces. The four participants were asked to reflect on their K-16 mathematical experiences, and through the lens of RM x SB three themes emerged. First, students reflected that it was ""too much to ask"" for mathematics to center Latinx cultures and histories, class participation was a high stakes action, and students experienced emotions of connectedness, anxiety/fear, and joy in mathematical spaces. These findings have implications for understanding how mathematical spaces can cultivate rehumanizing spaces that cultivate student's sense of belonging, joy, and connectedness. Recommendations are provided for mathematics education, and sense of belonging researchers on how combining both theoretical frameworks might help the field become more rehumanized and how educators and staff can take steps in their own spaces to help students feel a sense of connectedness and support."

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Curriculum and Instruction

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Cervantes, Alexandria Taylor

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gutiérrez, Rochelle
• González, Gloriana
• Ruedas-Gracia, Nidia

• rehumanizing mathematics
• Latinx
• undergraduate mathematics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Alexandria Cervantes

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113090

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/113090