Student Success: A Descriptive Analysis of Hispanic Students and Engagement at a Midwest Hispanic-Serving Institution

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to learn more about the Hispanic students attending Northeastern Illinois University, a four-year institution in Chicago, IL, and their student success. Little is known descriptively and statistically about this population at NEIU, which serves as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. In addition, little is known about which Hispanic students succeed and which do not. For this study, student success is measured in terms of grade point average and freshman retention. In addition, this research reviewed the relationship between Hispanic student success and student engagement. Student engagement is commonly linked to student success and can help researchers learn how NEIU Hispanic students are succeeding or not succeeding. The research found that student engagement did not have a relationship to student success for Hispanic students when considering GPA and freshmen retention rates. Further, the research illustrated that additional intentional opportunities for student engagement must be developed in order to assist in Hispanic student success.