AAHHE ODA Webinar

Understanding Persistence through University Climate Assessment: First-year Students’ Experiences at Chilean Universities and their Plans of Re-enrolling For The Next Academic Term
Thursday, June 26, 2025
12:00-1:00pm ET

Register Here!

Maria Javiera De los Rios Escobar, PhD
Supervisor
Superintendencia de Educacion Superior de Chile
Please click here to view Dr. De los Rios Escobar's bio.

Title of Dissertation: Understanding Persistence through University Climate Assessment: First-year Students’ Experiences at Chilean Universities and their Plans of Re-enrolling For The Next Academic Term
Degree Discipline: Higher Education
Degree Granting Institution: The Pennsylvania State University

Description

This dissertation examines first-year students’ perception of university climate in Chile perceive, and its impact on their plans to re-enroll, using the Diverse Learning Environments (DLE) survey. Findings reveal disparities among social identity groups, with working-class and indigenous students reporting lower validation, sense of mattering, and higher microaggressions. By introducing a culturally-adapted mattering scale, this research provides valuable insights into student belonging potentially relevant to Chile, Latin America, and Latinx communities in the U.S.