The Effect of Student Engagement on Student Success at a Binational Hispanic Serving Institution

This purpose of this study was to examine student engagement practices at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). This institution was chosen due to the unique location - in the city of El Paso on the U.S. Mexico border. It was also chosen due to the unique population served - majority of students are first generation and Hispanic. The instrument used to gather student engagement practices was the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) survey for 2006, 2007, & 2008. One section of the survey asks respondents to self identify their levels of engagement in 19 educationally purposeful activities. These questions were designed to identify activities and practices believed to promote student success. The NSSE survey is conducted each year during the spring semester to freshman and senior students. The population for this study included all freshman respondents to the NSSE survey attending UTEP during the spring semesters of 2006, 2007, & 2008. Using a correlation matrix, factor analysis and path analysis, the responses to the 19 educationally purposeful activities were examined to determine if student success could be predicted. A path analysis model was developed which identifies the relationship between the 19 educationally purposeful activities and the two dependent variables of retention and grade point average. Most of the findings in this study support current research on student engagement and student success. Several of the findings provide support to the need for more research on Hispanic, first generation students and the programs and practices that aid in their success