Higher Education Action Research for Transformation (HEART Lab)
The purpose of the HEART lab is to conduct high-impact research that is translatable to practice and policy. We envision our lab as a hub for knowledge creation, community action, and praxis through campus partnerships and relationship-building.
Our Research Focus
We specialize in high-impact research that advances culture change and servingness in higher education, with a focus on:
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Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
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Emerging HSIs
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Servingness and student success
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Latinx/e student experiences
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Minoritized and racialized communities
Our goal is to generate actionable insights that help institutions create cultures where all students, faculty, and staff can thrive.
What We Do
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We conduct research on student experiences and institutional conditions in colleges, universities, and the higher education sectors.
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We produce practical, translatable findings that support higher education professionals, government, and community organizations.
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We provide strategies that strengthen campus culture, equity initiatives, and servingness.
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We advocate for what higher education can and should be—humanizing, inclusive, and justice-centered.
Our Lab Environment
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The HEART Lab is grounded in cariño, collaboration, and critical inquiry. We are an identity-affirming space where researchers, students, and community partners can:
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Engage in meaningful dialogue about complex issues
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Develop innovative, justice-centred solutions
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Bring their authentic selves to their scholarship
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Pursue projects that support personal and academic growth
