In this paper, we present a conceptual model of the development of a relationship between first-generation Latino men while navigating the unchartered waters, or the unknown, of a doctoral program. Drawing from focus groups, we outline the various components (e.g., institutional role and support, resilience, cultural affinity) that contributed to the model of compañerismo and how this cultural phenomenon, in turn, led to the participants’ successful navigation of their graduate education. Compañerismo represents the evolvement from a surface-level friendship to a cultural, personal, and academic support system. Guided by the data, we offer practical implications for higher education stakeholders to better support Latino men and their persistence and retention in doctoral programs.

在本文中，我们提出了一个概念模型，该模型发展了第一代拉丁裔男性之间的关系，同时在博士学位课程的未知水域或未知领域中航行。从焦点小组中，我们概述了构成Compañerismo模型的各个组成部分（例如，机构角色和支持，韧性，文化亲和力），以及这种文化现象又如何导致参与者成功地完成了自己的研究生教育。Compañerismo代表着从表面友谊到文化，个人和学术支持系统的演变。在数据的指导下，我们为高等教育利益相关者提供了实际意义，以更好地支持拉丁裔男性及其在博士课程中的坚持和保留。