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This book details a study conducted at Bronx Community College of the City University of New York. The text combines insights from semi-structured interviews with Dominican-American students enrolled at the college, with autoethnographic reflection by the author, also a Dominican-American scholar. By investigating the stories of six individuals, who arrived in the US without any English proficiency, the book captures many of the financial, social, linguistic, environmental and cultural challenges faced by immigrants in the US. Focusing on how these three individuals developed resilience to these pressures however, the volume moves beyond a deficit understanding of the immigrant experience to highlight how individuals have drawn on personal, cultural, and social strengths to build resilience and achieve academic success. The stories provide a model of resilience for helping other community college students and in particular, students with an immigrant background to achieve academic success despite overwhelming odds.
List of contents
Part 1 Quest for the American Dream.- Chapter 1 My Immigration Story.- Chapter 2 Educational and Career Aspirations.- Chapter 3 Acculturative Stress.- Part 2 Stories of Resilience.- Chapter 4 From Dreams to Reality: Junior's Inspirational Story.- Chapter 5 The Strength from Within: Edery's Perseverance and Tenacity.- Chapter 6 A New Beginning: Ingris's Journey to a Better Life.- Chapter 7 Road to Success: Benedicta's Hardships, Sacrifices, and Victories.- Chapter 8 Navigating Challenges: Lessons from Kia's Immigratory Story.- Part 3 Themes of Resilience and Inspiration: A Positive Psychology Framework.- Chapter 9 Fostering Optimistic Thinking and Tapping into Your Strengths.- Chapter 10 Social Support in Enhancing and Resilience.- Chapter 11 Strong Work Ethic and Mental Toughness.- Chapter 12 Transformation and Bicultural Identity Development.
About the author
Nelson A. Reynoso, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Bronx Community College of the City University of New York, New York, USA. Dr. Nelson A. Reynoso is a full professor of psychology in the Department of Social Sciences at Bronx Community College of the City University of New York (CUNY). He received his Ph.D. from New York University. Dr. Reynoso has extensively researched and written on the retention of first-generation college students and the promotion of resilience among Dominican English language learners.
As a founding member of the Dominican Studies Institute at the City College of New York, Dr. Reynoso has made significant contributions to the Dominican Studies archives and has presented his research findings on various platforms. His dedication to educational equity and cultural studies has been a cornerstone of his academic career.
In addition to his academic endeavors, Dr. Reynoso serves as an elected official on the Bergenfield Board of Education in New Jersey, where he continues to advocate for educational improvement and community engagement.
