Being a student of color at a predominantly White institution can be extremely challenging, yet rewarding. For the select students in this mixed methods study, overcoming academic and social hurdles was paramount to their success in science, technology and engineering based disciplines at this large research intensive Midwestern institution. Some of the themes that arose from their academic and social challenges were: feelings of isolation and alienation, demystification of stereotypes, minimal relationships with faculty and staff, inadequate academic advising, and a lack of academic and social preparation and skills. Students of color in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering overcame the aforementioned academic and social challenges by participating in countless university, college and departmental based experiences that fostered a greater sense of belonging and connection to their environment, ultimately impacting their level of commitment and persistence to graduation. Of which, student services, academic advising, recruitment and retention programs, relationships and collaborations with faculty, staff and peers, support from family and friends, participation in minority based and major/college specific student organizations, access to fitness programs, academic and career work experiences, and service learning were focused on in this study.