Supporting native American students: a culturally grounded strategic approach

Purpose The paper aims to enhance Native American student success at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) by adapting the Balanced Scorecard framework with Indigenous principles like Gadugi (working together). It addresses barriers such as historical trauma, underfunding and cultural disconnection by proposing a culturally grounded strategy. This includes elder-led mentorship, financial support via tribal partnerships and measurable outcomes like increased retention. The approach bridges theory and practice. Design/methodology/approach This study adapts Kaplan and Norton (1996) Balanced Scorecard (BSC) framework, infusing it with Indigenous principles like the Cherokee concept of Gadugi (working together) to support Native American students. Tailored for TCUs, it reviews existing literature to inform a culturally responsive approach. Key performance indicators are crafted to assess four perspectives: Financial, Student Belonging, Internal Process and Learning and Growth, ensuring measurable outcomes align with Native values and address TCU challenges. Findings The article finds that adapting the BSC framework with Native principles like Gadugi effectively supports Native American students at TCUs. Research limitations/implications Future studies could build on exploring culturally responsive strategies in greater depth. Specifically, researchers can potentially investigate how intercultural learning such as courses comparing Indigenous and Western perspectives shapes Native student success and identity formation across diverse settings. This research could deepen understanding of effective educational practices for Native students and provide evidence to refine TCU strategies and support broader equity reforms. Practical implications The article’s practical implications highlight that the adapted BSC framework provides TCUs with a strategic tool to reduce dropout costs, stabilize budgets and fund infrastructure and staff development. Social implications The article highlights how the framework’s societal implications include bolstering tribal economies with skilled professionals in health, education and governance and improving community life and leadership. It elevates TCUs’ status as key institutions that strengthen Native identity and resilience, while promoting societal equity and well-being through an empowered, educated Native workforce. Originality/value The article’s originality stems from adapting the BSC, a mainstream tool, with Indigenous principles like Gadugi (working together). It reframes “customer” as “Student Belonging” to address Native American students’ challenges at TCUs. Unlike typical BSC uses, it emphasizes Native values such as reciprocity, collective well-being and sovereignty by creating a unique, culturally grounded strategy that enhances student success while honoring identity and resilience.