How I found my research: Manuella Escobar dives deep into the Latino college experience

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Manuella Escobar was born and raised in Cali, Colombia, but she found a new home in Richmond one summer when visiting her grandmother. While out on a walk, Escobar got lost and found herself strolling through Virginia Commonwealth University's Monroe Park Campus. She knew she wanted to be there.

Escobar applied for an F1 visa and has been in Richmond ever since. She first attended Reynolds Community College, where she earned an associate degree, and then transferred to VCU. Now a senior, Escobar is majoring in mass communications with a concentration in public relations in the Robertson School of Communication. She said her ongoing research into Latino students and their college experience stems in part from her cultural pride and her own adjustment to the higher education environment in the U.S.

"Throughout my whole journey, I've been very aware that opportunities like these are rare, so I have taken on every opportunity, endeavor and project I stumbled upon to grow as a professional and as a human being," Escobar said. "This means getting internships, serving in leadership positions in student organizations, being a student mentor, and now, doing research."

Escobar will be one of hundreds of VCU undergraduates to present their research from April 13-15 at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, which will be held in Richmond for the first time this year. Escobar has already presented her research at the Eastern Sociological Society Annual Conference and the NURVa Annual Conference.

VCU News caught up with Escobar to hear how her research developed and why it is so meaningful for her.

In two sentences, tell us the focus of your research ... and why it is important/impactful for all of us.

My research looks at how Latino students experience a cultural turning point during college, moving from rejecting or hiding their identity to embracing it with pride. As Latino students become a larger part of the U.S. college population, understanding what helps students feel seen and valued, and what fosters cultural pride and belonging (like something as simple as music) is utterly important for building campuses where all students can succeed without sacrificing who they are.

What inspired you to pursue this line of research?

This research started in 2023 with a question that came from my own experience. A few years ago, whenever people found out I was Colombian, the first thing they asked me about was "Narcos" or drugs - assumptions that felt frustrating and limiting. But more recently, those questions started changing: People were asking me about Bad Bunny, J Balvin and Latin music instead.

That shift stuck with me. Suddenly, conversations about my identity were centered around things I felt proud of, and it made me wonder whether other Latino students were experiencing the same change. That curiosity is what ultimately inspired this research.

Tell us about a surprise in your research journey.

I discovered that I like research a lot! It has been an enlightening and fun experience, one that has even made me think about my future steps and consider getting into this more seriously.

Tell us about an obstacle or challenge you had to overcome in your work.

From the very beginning, I have always felt like this topic was not academic or serious enough or that it was not groundbreaking, therefore not worthy of anyone's time. I thought that there was not a place in formal research and academia for a project that revolves around Reggaeton and pop culture. This feeling has made me doubt myself in the past and think twice before submitting my abstract to conferences or to grant applications.

However, I was wrong. There is a place for this as much as there is a place for culture and identity to be talked about from all kinds of angles, in this case from music. Reminding myself of its importance and of the impact I want to create with this research has helped me overcome this feeling and be brave to present it at regional and national conferences.

"Your most unconventional angle is your most powerful one. The work that feels too personal, too niche, too you? That's exactly what the room remembers."

Is there a memorable partnership or lesson you've embraced along the way?

I am fortunate I have a lot of people in my corner, starting with my family and friends. But I have to especially highlight and thank both my mentor and the program that made this all possible. This research exists thanks to the Mellon Pathways Program, a partnership between Brightpoint, Reynolds Community College and VCU that supports students as they transfer from the community colleges to VCU, and Janelle Marshall, the director of the program, and Peter Henry, its assistant director. It was through this program that I started my research as a Mellon Research Fellow, and it's thanks to them that I've been able to continue it until now.

When continuing the work at VCU, they also paired me with Dr. Gabriela Leon-Perez, an associate professor of sociology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, someone who has been an inspiration, a source of knowledge, and a voice of encouragement. With her guidance we were able to get a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program) grant and attend different conferences.

What do you find fulfilling about the research process?

Personally, the most fulfilling part has been talking to students during my focus groups and learning about their experiences, but I also have to say that presenting my research in front of other academics is something that always excites me. All of the conferences have been a great opportunity not just for networking, but for learning from peers and faculty from all places.

What advice would you offer undergrads to kick-start their own research journeys?

I would tell them that your most unconventional angle is your most powerful one. The work that feels too personal, too niche, too you? That's exactly what the room remembers. For me, that was my Latinidad. I would encourage them to find their edge, the question that remains in the back of their head, the spark that they want to ignite and follow it. You never know what it will lead you to.