Mission
Our research collaborative includes faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students who are interested in communication, immigration, and reducing inequities. Guided by a social ecological model of resilience, we use quantitative and qualitative methods to examine how stressors, rooted in structural barriers, are associated with the health and wellbeing of immigrant youth. We focus on undocumented immigration, family separation and reunification, interpreting for adult family members under stressful conditions, and racial/ethnic discrimination. In addition, we conduct research that identifies promotive factors at different levels (e.g., individual, interpersonal, community, institutional, cultural, state, and federal) to cultivate resilience and promote thriving.
Research
Using a social ecological model of resilience, our research focuses on four primary areas: (1) undocumented immigration, (2) language brokering, (3) immigrant family separation and reunification, and (4) communication-focused substance-use prevention.
Findings
We conduct research with the hopes that our findings can inform the development of resources and services that high school administrators and staff; college/university administrators, staff, faculty, and students; Directors and Coordinators at college/university Undocumented Student Services and DREAM Centers; mental health professionals, and community-based organizations can use to reduce economic, educational, and health inequities.