Shiroma, Kiana Yasuyo2015-10-022015-10-022014-05http://hdl.handle.net/10125/100483Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2014.Includes bibliographical references.America dropped from 2nd to 13th place in undergraduate graduation rates in the world, which may be due to it low percentage of people of color who attain a bachelor's degree. Despite challenges students of color face, some still succeed. Presently, a paucity of literature on underserved high-achievers of color exists. This study's purpose is to better understand the motivational factors of underserved students of color. The Culturally Engaging Campus Environments Model was the theoretical framework of this study. Data from interviews with 22 underserved high-achieving undergraduates at a large public university demonstrated consistency with three model factors. Two additional elements manifested, which further describe these students' motivation. Implications and recommendations for postsecondary educational institutions are provided.engAll UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.motivatehigh achievingunderservedstudents of colorThesis