This qualitative study attempted to analyze the educational goals and achievements of successful present and former Native American students at San Juan College (SJC) in Farmington, NM. It considered a systemic approach to educating Native American students by taking into account their suggestions of how to improve the educational framework to address their needs and expectations. The study group was composed of Native American students who enrolled at SJC in Farmington, New Mexico as first-time students and had successfully completed 30 credit hours or more of course work. After completing 30 semester credit hours at SJC, they either: (1) gained employment, (2) advanced in their job, (3) moved on to better employment, (4) continued their education at SJC, or (5) transferred to a four-year college or university. Data were collected in two methods: interviewing the participants through focus group sessions and one-on-one interviews. Interviews were conducted with 38 participants. The study used the framework of Human Capital Theory in the context of Social Capital Theory. The study explored the perspectives of Native American students' lived experiences. The study also incorporated their suggestions about required changes in the status quo which could help to improve the higher educational environment for Native American students. The findings in this study strongly suggest that Native American students' desire for investment in college education follows closely the tenets of Human Capital Theory and Social Capital Theory. They believed that gaining knowledge and training would enable them to increase their earning potential and secure a better future for themselves and their children. Native American students' preferences for a higher standard of living, better housing, better healthcare and nutrition, and greater employment opportunities closely resemble that of White students. It is my intention for this study to provide a set of recommendations to higher educational leaders as guidelines to design, develop, and implement culturally sensitive strategies in addressing the educational needs of Native American students. Also the study attempted to encourage other researchers to investigate the ways and means of improving the status of Native American students in pursuit of higher education. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]