Student Development in Tribal Colleges and Universities

Abstract

Tribal colleges play a powerful role in the personal development as well as the academic development of American Indian students. By providing access, exposure to native culture, personal support, preparation for further education, and a sense of empowerment, tribal colleges are influential in advancing self-awareness, interpersonal sensitivity, intellectual development, acculturation, and identity development of their enrolled students. While theories of student development have helped to explain the psychosocial, cognitive, and moral development of students in American higher education, very little research has specifically investigated the development of American Indian students, particularly those enrolled in tribal colleges. Theories of adult development and learning, acculturation, and identity development are gaining greater attention in the human development literature and have potential for enhancing understanding of the development that American Indian students experience. These theories, however, rarely consider the effects of higher education on Brought to you by | HEC Bibliotheque Maryriam ET J. Authenticated Download Date | 6/12/15 8:33 AM

Home-Going as a Strategy for Success Among Haudenosaunee College and University Students

“…Homesickness (G. J. Smith, 2007 Although Native American identity development is not the focus of this study, a brief discussion is warranted. Generally, Native students identify in complex ways according to their "upbringing," acceptance by their community (Guardia & Evans, 2008), and whether or not they have official government recognition (Garroutte, 2003). Mainstream identity development theories place an emphasis on individual autonomy (see Chickering & Reisser, 1993).…”