Over the last two decades the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), has undergone transformation and ignited systemic change across the institution. Its Meyerhoff Scholars Program has made major achievements in recruiting and graduating African American students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at one of the highest rates among the nation's institutions of higher education. This paper examines the impact of institutional culture, climate, and support systems on underrepresented students' success, and their potential as catalysts for innovative and effective interventions.