The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of faculty of color and to determine which practices used by administrators at Historically White Parochial/Private Institutions (HWPPIs) in Texas successfully recruited and retained them. The researcher sought to explore recruitment and retention practices that current university administrators might utilize to address the disparity between the number of White faculty and faculty of color hired as professors at HWPPIs in Texas. The use of a phenomenological research method allowed the researcher to capture the lived experiences of the study's participants and develop themes that identified successful recruitment and retention practices. Based on the responses of seven research participants, the study revealed that institutions do not intentionally recruit faculty of color. A clear theme that emerged in this study was that faculty of color accepted faculty appointments based on their prior connections to the institution. The results of the study also suggested that faculty collegiality and successful mentoring were found to be instrumental in the participants' decision to remain at their institutions. The participants in the study also noted that their institutions should include people of color in the recruitment and retention processes. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]