Native American Retention: Factors, Programs and Practices Contributing to the Completion of a Four-Year Degree by Native American Students in Higher Education

Authors

Valerie Nirschl-Coats

Faculty Sponsor

Elizabeth Franklin

Abstract

This study examines the factors that contribute to the completion of a four-year degree among Native American students at a mid-size university in the Southwestern United States. In the United States Native American retention in higher education is at a low. Programs and practices have been implemented among universities to improve retention rates, but nonetheless retention rates are still minimal. Research in the field indicates that the factors contributing to Native American retention include familial support, support from faculty and staff, institutional commitment, and connections to homeland and culture. However, the research does not seem to show factors in relation to specific institutions. This study will be a program review of in which the researcher will look at the Native American programs of the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Colorado at Boulder, the University of Colorado at Denver, Fort Lewis College, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, and Yale University.

Recommended Citation

Nirschl-Coats, Valerie (2013) "Native American Retention: Factors, Programs and Practices Contributing to the Completion of a Four-Year Degree by Native American Students in Higher Education," Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado: Vol. 3: No. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://digscholarship.unco.edu/urj/vol3/iss2/5