Minority graduation rates at Iowa State have been on the rise over the past 14 years, but they do not meet the graduation rates of white students, according to university statistics.

Information from the Office of Institutional Research for Iowa State shows an increase in minority graduation rates since 1986. African-American student six-year graduation rates have increased from 26.3 percent in 1986 to 33.5 percent for the 1999-2000 school year. Graduation rates for Hispanic students have also increased from 43.2 percent to 55.4 percent over the 14-year period.

While the numbers are up, they have not reached the 62.7 percent graduation rate of white students.

The rising percentages are an improvement, said Rafael Rodriguez, director of minority student affairs, but he said he believes there is still a long way to go.

“We have made some gains, … but we’re not where we need to be. It’s a baby step, but we’re moving in the right direction,” he said.

The Minority Student Affairs Office has instigated many programs in hopes of helping minority students graduate.

“Each college has its own programs targeting minority students in addition to university programs,” Rodriguez said. “We have targeted recruiting and developing a Minority Students Coordinating Team in an effort to improve communication and services for students of color.”

Rodriguez said there are many programs already in place for minority students.

“The Academic Program for Excellence is a seven-week academic program for ethnic minority freshmen,” he said. The program involves students attending English, math and library-instruction classes the summer before their freshman year and taking part in seminars discussing various aspects of campus life.

Carver Academy works with recipients of the Carver Scholarship. Rodriguez said it encourages participation in the Honors and study-abroad programs in addition to helping students find internships, leadership programs and research partnerships.

Rodriguez also cited the Early Success Program as an integral part of increasing graduation rates.

The one-credit seminar is open to freshmen of any ethnic minority. It provides students with subsidized tutoring, information about the Academic Success Center, help rooms, supplemental instruction, study tables and advice.

Some minority students believe the programs are making a difference.

“When I came here, I felt kind of lost because I didn’t know anyone I could hang out with,” said Noemy Rodriquez, sophomore in graphic design. “My ESP leader took me to [the Mexican Asmer Young Achievers Society], and it helped me find a family. Now I have a group of friends I can relate to. Whenever I am lost I can go to any of them.”

Rodriquez said she is the first person in her family to attend college, and the ethnic-support groups have helped her fit into the ISU community.

“I don’t think I would have made it to sophomore year without MAYAS,” she said.

The Minority Student Affairs Office is a valuable resource for students, Rodriquez said.

“I always feel at home at MSA,” she said. “I go there three or four times a week and talk to the staff and secretaries.”

Although Rodriquez agrees the increasing graduation rate is a good sign, she also thinks more could be done to help minority students graduate.

“We have a lack of money and support for our group,” she said. “If people would just understand that we are important even though we’re not a big group, that would help a lot.”