Tribal colleges, which are often community colleges, have been successful in helping American Indian students achieve academic success. The current study was designed to understand what happens to American Indian tribal college students when they transfer to four-year Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). The research question that guides the current study is what are the experiences of American Indian tribal college graduates who transferred from tribal colleges and succeeded at four-year PWIs?

A qualitative study, specifically phenomenology, was chosen to draw out the experiences of eight American Indian tribal college students who transferred and succeeded at PWIs. Multiple interviews were conducted and analyzed with all eight participants, which resulted in six themes related to their successful experience at PWIs. The six themes were: personal goals and dreams; family matters; being a community member of an American Indian community; various levels of engagement with the campus; overcoming ignorance and stereotypes; and adjusting to differences in non-native and native academic worlds. The current study is significant and has implications for tribal colleges, PWIs, and anyone concerned about the success of American Indian college students.