Christley, Lara2013-11-112013-11-112013-08https://hdl.handle.net/11299/160067University of Minnesota M.A. August 2013. Major: Multicultural Teaching and Learning. Advisor: Mike Stebleton, Cathy Wambach. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 85 pages, appendices A-D.Some students, in spite of the challenges they face, do succeed in college. This may be due to many factors, including a high level of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is important because it has been related to persistence and achievement in education (Chemers, 2001). One way we might increase a student's self-efficacy is to provide a language that describes their strengths. This master's research project sought to examine the relationship between a student's strengths and statements indicating self-efficacy. My sample population was underrepresented first-year and sophomore TRIO students in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Through semi-structured interviews, students shared experiences in their personal, academic and career spheres as seem through the lens of their top 5 Strengths. Evidence of self-efficacy was found in the students' responses.en-USFirst-generationLow-incomeMinority studentsStrengthsStrengthsQuestThesis or Dissertation