SAIGES: Strengthening American Indian Graduate Enrollment and Success

This project addresses the need for increased representation of American Indian students at the graduate level, including more effective ways of recruiting and retaining American Indian graduate students. In order to develop effective strategies to address this need, it is important to recognize that prospective students must see themselves reflected in the graduate student body. Additionally, research has shown that mentoring is critical in helping American Indian students navigate an unfamiliar academic system that is dominated by majority culture and practices. By utilizing current American Indian graduate students as recruiters and mentors, prospective American Indian graduate students can envision themselves successfully completing a graduate degree. SAIGES incorporates strategies for both recruitment and retention of American Indian graduate students. The goal is to build on existing relationships with Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to create pathways for students to complete graduate degrees. Project personnel also work to engage current SDSU American Indian undergraduates to persist in either an accelerated or traditional masters or doctoral program. SAIGES aims to not only increase the number of American Indian graduate students, but support their transition into Graduate School, help them build social relationships and support networks, and introduce them to meaningful cultural activities.