P-64 The Students Are Hungry: A Theoretical Application to Understanding Food Insecurity Among Minority College Students in Urban Settings

Methods: Two prominent student development were combined with public health and psychological theories to develop a new approach to theory-based methods of addressing food insecurity for minority students at urban institutions. Social network, ecological systems theory, and mattering and belonging were used to assess pathways on how food security can be addressed in the college setting through connections between minority students and higher education professionals. The traditional ecological system theory model was updated to reflect the modern student and college experience; hence a networked approach was used.

Results: A sample model was developed, which highlighted the relationship between the minority student and 8 key personnel within the college setting that can influence their food insecurity status. The model also showed how the key players can use their social networks with other key players to gain resources and knowledge to address food insecurity of minority students on their campuses. A demonstration of how the model can be used by higher education professionals is provided along with an example of how higher education professionals can address students’ mattering and belonging on campus through the development of a Comprehensive College Transition Program College Transition Program. Comprehensive College Transition Program.

Conclusion: Findings of the developed model suggest pathways of social connections that higher education professionals can use for direct alleviation of food insecurity, which has major implications for the academic achievement, social connections, and a general sense of mattering and belonging.