Improving STEM Degree Attainment Rates: Lessons from Hispanic Serving Institutions

Despite having fewer resources compared to Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), specific Hispanic Serving institutions (HSIs) are exemplary producers of STEM degrees among underrepresented racial minority (URM) students, meaning that they produce more STEM degrees than expected when taking into account institutional resources and capacity. Using cross-case analysis, this study examines the strategies of 11 exemplary institutions, four of which are HSIs. While some strategies are shared with other institutions that have large minority enrollments, and across all 11 institutions, this paper focuses on the unique strategies that HSIs use to foster achievement and persistence among their undergraduate STEM aspirants.