Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-68).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: A, page: 4102. Adviser: Jenny Singleton. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-103) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 225-236). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

<p> The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the work experiences of foreign-born, first-generation Latino immigrants with regard to cultural diversity and inclusion initiatives to obtain a holistic understanding of their experiences and facilitate their achievements in the organization. Based upon the review of the existing literature regarding Latinos and the outcomes of interviewing 24 participants (13 females and 11 males) in this research study, there are ample opportunities to conduct future empirical studies. The results of this study show the challenges first-generation Latino immigrants faced in the workplace and the importance for organizations with a diverse workforce to foster a more inclusive work environment for Latino immigrants. There is growing evidence that diversity and inclusion initiatives are critical for multicultural organizations. However, the results organizations have achieved and their efforts to create an inclusive workplace for Latino immigrants have been dissatisfactory thus far (Cox Jr., 2011). The methodology applied in this study was a qualitative approach to reflect the essence of the phenomenon studied. Results from this research found 14 family units and four major themes. These themes described how first-generation Latino immigrants understood and defined diversity and inclusion, their positive and negatives perceptions in the work environment, workplace challenges they faced, and their insights on organizational development. Additionally, this research discovered how interviewed participants were excluded by others and by themselves in the workplace. Lastly, this research study contributes to the literature and to the field by offering information that would eventually promote a better understanding of Latino immigrants and a more inclusive environment that encourages belongingness, uniqueness, and a constructive work experience for Latino immigrants. </p>

<p> This dissertation argues that in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands over the turn of the twentieth century, two <i>curanderos,</i> Teresa Urrea (1873-1906) and Pedro Jaramillo (1829-1907), created alternative projects of nation that did not come from above &ndash; from the state, the church, or professional medicine &ndash; but from below, from a distinct cultural practice that revitalized sick, racially oppressed, and subaltern bodies. The medicine that Urrea and Jaramillo practiced, <i>curanderismo,</i> was, and remains, a hybrid system of healing practiced throughout Mexico and Latin America and in places where ethnic Mexicans have a strong presence, such as the U.S-Mexico borderlands. Through curanderismo Urrea and Jaramillo provided culturally resonant healing and spiritual sustenance to ethnic Mexicans, Indians, Tejanos, and others in the borderlands who faced increasingly oppressive forms of state power deployed by both nations. This dissertation also shows that through their <i>curanderismo</i> practices and politics, Urrea and Jaramillo helped shape national ideologies as well as spiritual and medical practices. They participated in the creation and maintenance of transnational ethnic Mexican communities and identities in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. </p><p> The chapters examine how Teresa Urrea and Pedro Jaramillo crossed the border from Mexico into the United States during the late nineteenth century and practiced what I call the &ldquo;the politics of <i>curanderismo </i>&rdquo; in different regions of the borderlands. Chapter one examines Teresa Urrea&rsquo;s identity as <i>Juana de Arco Mexicana</i> and how she was a threat to the Mexican government because of her work as a healer and advocate for Yaqui and Mayo Indians of northern Mexico in late nineteenth century. Chapter two utilizes a quantitative and qualitative analysis of Don Pedrito&rsquo;s cures from 1890-1907, as well as an examination of South Texas demographics, to demonstrate that Jaramillo&rsquo;s <i> curanderismo</i> drew upon available medical ideologies and strengthened his borderlands community while, at the same time, threatening professional medicine. The third chapter returns to Teresa Urrea and her residence in the city of Los Angeles, California from 1902-1903 and examines the transatlantic world of Spiritism and Spiritualism that she participated in. The fourth and final chapter explores the ways in which <i>curanderismo</i> and corresponding ideas about modernity, science, and spirituality figured into the power dynamics and construction of national identity on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border into the twentieth century.</p>

abstract: This thesis seeks to answer the question: "What do artistic representations add to the dialogue about the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration beyond political rhetoric and popular media portrayals?" Drawing on political communications (as put forth by Edelman and Altheide), socio-political construction (particularly the White Racial Frame put forth by Feagin), and collective memory theory (especially those of Halbwachs and Pollak), this thesis uses a dual-coding, content analysis to examine the linguistic and visual messages disseminated through news media. Then, interviews with and the work of six immigrant artists are examined for their contribution to the information put forth in the news media. This study finds that news reporting bias falls along a continuum from pro-immigration to extreme anti-immigration (labeled "fearful" reporting). The news media skew strongly toward anti-immigration to fearful in bias, and there is no opposite pro-immigration bias. Through observations of artists' work, the study concludes that artistic representations of the border can fill this strongly pro-immigration void on this bias continuum. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.A. Interdisciplinary Studies 2011

abstract: Latinas and Latinos are currently underrepresented in terms of our 21st century student academic attainment and workforce, compared to the total U.S. Hispanic population. In a field such as mathematical sciences, Hispanic or Latino U.S. citizenship doctoral recipients only accounted for 3.04% in 2009-2010. While there are various initiatives to engage underrepresented STEM populations through education, there is a need to give a voice to the experiences of Latinas and Latinos engaged in such programs. This study explored the experiences of seven Arizona State University undergraduate Latina and Latino Joaquín Bustoz Math-Science Honors Program (JBMSHP) participants as well as examined how the program enhanced their math and science learning experiences. Participants attended either a five-week or eight-week program and ranged in attendance from 2006 to 2011. Students were provided an opportunity to begin university mathematics and science studies before graduating high school. Through a demographic survey and one-on-one guided interview, participants shared their personal journey, their experience in the JBMSHP, and their goals. Using grounded theory, a qualitative research approach, this study focuses on the unique experiences of Latina and Latino participants. Four major themes emerged from the analysis of the data. Each participant applied to the program with a foundation in which they sought to challenge themselves academically through mathematics and/or science. Through their involvement it the JBMSHP, participants recognized benefits during and after the program. All participants recognized the value of these benefits and their participation and praised the program. Overall, the JBMSHP provided the students the resources to grow their academic capital and if they chose seek a STEM related bachelor degree. The results of this study emphasize the need to expand the JBMSHP both within Arizona and nationally. In addition, there is a need to explore the other components of their parent center, the Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center (MCMSC), to determine if the suggested pipeline, MCMSC Model for Enhancing the Math and Science Experiences of Latinas and Latinos, can positively impact our 21st century workforce and the dire representational need of Latinas and Latinos in STEM fields. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ed.D. Higher and Postsecondary Education 2012

<p> This study examines the experiences of Spanish-speaking Latino/a parents in their attempts to obtain school-based speech and language services for their children; the impact of these experiences on parents; and parent perspectives on how school-based speech-language pathologists can co-create collaborative relationships. Through a detailed analysis of a focus group and individual interviews of 31 Spanish-speaking parents of children in the REAAD! (Reaching Educational Achievement and Development) Literacy Enrichment Program at a university in Los Angeles, California, this study provided a space for parents to share their experiences and offer insights regarding what shaped their experiences. Through the theoretical lens of dis/ability critical race theory (DisCrit), Latino critical race theory (LatCrit), and Yosso&rsquo;s community cultural wealth model, parents&rsquo; stories were collected, transcribed, and analyzed. Parents consistently expressed their hope for their children to have a better life than the one they had, one that was attainable through education. Unfortunately, in their quest for educational supports, parents were often met with systematic roadblocks that denied their children resources and supports. Parents in this study were keenly aware of the struggle to support their children in the face of deficit views of their family based on the intersection of their language, race, and ability levels. More often than not, parents utilized the assistance of sympathetic teachers and speech-language pathologists to obtain services for their children. For parents in the study, having a school professional who they believed demonstrated <i>coraz&oacute;n </i> (heart) made all the difference in their ability to advocate for their children.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of the project was to fund a hospice outreach program for the Latino community. This program will use a culturally sensitive approach to provide education on hospice services. St. Athanasius Church, the hosting agency of this project, is located in Long Beach, California. This Church was selected as the hosting agency since it has a history of conducting effective outreach to Latinos. </p><p> Latinos continue to underutilize hospice services even though it is a covered benefit of Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. After conducting a review of the literature, the grant writer designed a program providing education about hospice services to the Latino community. After researching funding sources, the Weingart Foundation was determined to be the best match for the funding of this program. </p><p> The actual submission and funding of the grant were not required for the successful completion of this project.</p><p>

<p> Obesity is the scourge of a large percentage of American youths today imposing devastating health consequences. Poor family functioning has been associated with being overweight among adolescents. Family-based weight management programs that enhance family functioning while providing nutritional and exercise counseling may be beneficial. Improved family functioning (cohesion, conflict, moral religious emphasis) may be associated with lower familial stress which may improve lifestyle habits and thereby reduce obesity and its risk factors. Shapedown is an eight-week weight management program for overweight children and adolescents designed to help improve nutrition, physical activity habits and family functioning by incorporating cognitive, behavioral, affective, and relationship techniques. Previous research has not investigated whether changes in weight and other risk factors following participation in the program are related to any family function change. The current study assessed perceived family functioning among overweight adolescents and evaluated the Shapedown program to assess the relationship between changes in family functioning scores and in anthropometric measures (BMI and waist-hip ratio). Fifty-six, predominantly Hispanic overweight adolescents, aged 10&ndash;16 years, participated in Shapedown interventions in San Mateo County, California. This study uncovered differences in overweight adolescents&rsquo; perceived family functioning as it relates to parents marital status, age, family size, and race. The Shapedown intervention was associated with reduced BMI and decreased waist-hip-ratio among overweight adolescents, however, this study did not find a correlation between changes in BMI and changes in family functioning nor changes in waist-hip ratio and family functioning.</p><p>