Asking the Unasked Question Why Can’t more Men of Color Graduate? Dr. Alissa Gardenhire Kendrick T. Roundtree, M.S. RADalyst, LLC Black, Brown, and College Bound March 1, 2012

Our Corporate Mission: Black Male Graduation A radical catalyst for change in the educational lives of underrepresented students in higher education. Change created through innovative, person centered research, evaluation and programming. To develop active, engaged and internally motivated students who take ownership of their academic, personal and professional futures.

RADalyst, LLC Alissa D. Gardenhire, Ph.D. Kendrick T. Roundtree, M.S. Principal and Director of Research and Evaluation Harvard Doctorate in Urban Planning 20+ Years Social Science Research and Evaluation Experience Author, “Terms of Engagement: Men of Color in Community College” CCSSE’s National Advisory Committee on Improving Outcomes for Men of Color in Community Colleges Student mindset and belief transformation expert Kendrick T. Roundtree, M.S. Principal and Director of Programming Communications Masters of Human Services, Organizational Management and Leadership 20+ years experience in the Human Services field Adjunct faculty at Springfield College Coordinator of supported services to males of color

Presentation Overview Where is the emphasis on graduation for males of color on the community college campus? In institutions, colleges, the system? In programming, supports, and services? In the men themselves? What are innovative responses to the graduation crisis of men of color?

First: Consider the System Community colleges are attractive to men of color Is there an institutional narrative for graduation and success for men of color in community college? How do/don’t community colleges support Black and Latino male graduation? Open enrollment Low cost More “friendly” institutional environment Offer developmental coursework (Practical) career focused majors

Second: Consider the Services What is the true purpose of General Advising Services Supported Programming for Men of Color How do/don’t general and targeted services support Black and Latino male graduation? Basic campus support services Overburdened advising and counseling Level of cultural competency of staff Services not tailored to the needs of men of color Men of color groups What are the missions of these groups? Is graduation the emphasis of these groups?

Third: Consider the Students Motivation Engagement Behavior Beliefs How do/don’t the students support their own graduation? Why are men of color motivated to enroll in college? Are they constrained by notions of manhood and race? Can their behavior as students be self-sabotaging? Do limiting beliefs about their potential for success undermine them?

RADalyst Approach Using social science theories, tools, and assessments that have not been applied to this underrepresented student population. Manhood Stereotype Threat Positive Psychology GRIT Assessment Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Theories Person centered with strong success messaging

System Level Solutions Graduation Mindset™ helps institutions establish the following: Access is the starting place, graduation is the victory Institutional indoctrination of a success expectation from men of color Emphasis on cultural competency Use of evidence based practices Adequate resource allocation

Services Level Solutions For existing programs and faculty and staff Reframe notions of men of color as college students Men of color as capable students, rejection of deficit-based models Graduation Mindset™ Cultural Competency Training Graduation focused program and services assessments

Student Level Solutions Develop internal motivation for graduation Students as true partners in service development Break association with low societal standards Reframe beliefs about Black and Latino male scholarship

RADalyst Projects Graduation Mindset™ Program Assessment Graduation Mindset™ Cultural Competency Professional Development Training Graduation Mindset™ Student Program

Contact RADalyst www.RADalyst.com Alissa D. Gardenhire alissa@radalyst.com Kendrick T. Roundtree kendrick@radalyst.com Blog: www.radalyst.wordpress.com