The conceptual model for institutional change presented in this report was developed within the context of the University of Hawaii's Native Hawaiian Vocational Education Project (NHVEP), a systemwide initiative for increasing minority student persistence at community colleges. Chapter 1 discusses the problem of low retention among Native Hawaiian students and the need for institutional change to improve recruitment and retention services. After chapter 2 provides a review of the literature on institutional change, chapter 3 outlines the methodology used to conduct a case-study review of the NHVEP. Chapter 4 presents the case study itself, describing the background, objectives, activities, and organizational dynamics of the NHVEP. This chapter includes information on the demographics and academic participation and performance of Native Hawaiians, the impetus for the project, and a status report on the project. Finally, chapter 5 offers conclusions regarding: (1) methods used by various types of institutions to initiate change; (2) the ways in which significant events, philosophies, and beliefs can bring about meaningful change; (3) the impact of special programs in general and the NHVEP in particular as catalysts for change; (4) general approaches taken by colleges and universities to respond to high attrition and low student retention; (5) research findings regarding the transformational or evolutionary nature of change; and (6) the university's receptiveness to a statement on institutional change. A 199-item bibliography on student retention and an annotated bibliography listing 71 of the items are appended. (AAC)