Generating Ethnic Minority Student Success (GEMS): A Qualitative Analysis of High-Performing Institutions

Less than one-half of all underrepresanted racial and ethnic minority students who begin college at a 4-year institution with aspirations to earn a bachelor's degree achieve that goal within 6 years. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the institutional factors that contribute to racial and ethnic minority student success at three predominantly White institutions with high and equitable underrepresented racial and ethnic minority student retention and graduation rates. Sixty-five individual interviews were conducted, and documents were collected across these three high-performing colleges. From the analysis of those interviews and documents emerged four common and salient elements of the institutional cultures that promote success among students of color at the three campuses. Implications for research and practice are discussed.