Student Success at one Borderlands Hispanic-Serving Institution

Neda Goerlitz Ramirez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Copyright 2023 The Author. All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

This study investigated the perceptions of student success of campus leaders at one Borderlands Hispanic-Serving Institution. The study incorporated 4 interviews, 9 observations, analysis of 23 documents as well as additional research to answer the research questions. The three themes emerged from the study were: (1) encouraging and empowering students to succeed, (2) removing barriers to student success, and (3) serving by default. Recommendations for educational leaders included serving by design, setting high expectations, getting to know students, encouraging and empowering students, and removing barriers to student success. Additionally, the findings of this study suggest that studying student success, investigating what is working at effective institutions, learning from effective educators and programs, and finding out more about barriers to student success will enable higher education and other leaders to better serve Latin* students.