Contexts That Matter to the Leadership Development of Latino Male College Students: A Mixed Methods Perspective

As the number of Latino males entering college increases, there is a need to understand their unique leadership experiences. This study used a convergent parallel mixed methods design to understand what contexts contribute to Latino male undergraduate students’ leadership development, capacity, and experiences. Quantitative data were gathered by the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) and further elucidated by one-on-one interviews with 24 Latino males attending four institutions in two regions. Contexts that influenced Latino males’ leadership development included fraternities, ethnic student organizations, and internships. Peer contexts were also significant. Practical implications for working with Latino male college students are offered.