Recommendations to Improve American Indian Student Enrollment in Higher Education: A Survey Study

J Allied Health. 2023 Winter;52(4):267-273.

Abstract

The problem investigated in this study is the low student enrollment for American Indians at a private higher education institution in the southcentral United States. The purpose of this research was for data collection from students, faculty, and staff to provide recommendations for possible solutions to improve American Indian student enrollment, as addressing this issue will help to improve health disparities of the American Indian population. The underserved American Indian population can benefit from educated American Indian healthcare professionals to improve healthcare outcomes in the region. Two forms of data were collected for this study. The first data collection approach was semi-structured interviews with American Indian students (n=5) enrolled at the institution. The second approach included surveys using an anonymous online questionnaire directed towards faculty and staff (n=17). Interview data from students highlighted three primary themes: support, finances, and inclusion. The faculty survey results revealed three primary takeaways: cultural awareness, decreasing barriers for enrollment, and increasing the presence of American Indians at the institution. Decreasing enrollment barriers and increasing support services for American Indian students at the institution will foster a welcoming environment for American Indian students to learn and will nurture a positive relationship with the American Indian population.

MeSH terms

  • Education, Medical*
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American*
  • Medically Underserved Area
  • Students*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States