African American Males in College Reginald Sykes Assistant Commissioner for Community and Junior College Relations Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Vrita Delaine Assistant to Vice President for Student Affairs University of Southern Mississippi May 19, 2009

3 African American Males in College Purpose of African American Males in College Task Force To offer recommendations and strategies to increase the enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of African American males in Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning

4 African American Males in College Task Force Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning State Board for Community and Junior Colleges Mississippi Department of Education Community/Business Leaders

5 African American Males in College Initiative Sub-committees Research - data and trends K-12 - critical issues that impact IHL enrollment Recruitment/Retention - review recruitment, retention, and marketing strategies Best Practices - successful programs Community Relations - identify parents, civic and business leaders/organizations to serve as partners Community/Junior College - strategies in the enrollment, retention and graduation of African American males at Community/Junior Colleges

6 African American Enrollment Trend Nationally, there is a 2 to 1 ratio of African American females to males enrolled in higher education African American males lag behind African American females in degree completion rates African American males trail other groups in society in almost every educational category

7 IHL African American Enrollment Source: IHLMIS, 2009

8 Mississippi Community/Junior College African American Enrollment MACJC Annual Report

9 IHL Enrollment by Gender and Ethnicity Source: IHLMIS, 2009 System Enrollment is around 71,000

10 IHL Six-Year Graduation Rates for First-Time, Full-Time Freshmen System Average is 48% Source: IHLMIS, 2009

11 IHL One-Year Retention Rates for First-Time, Full-Time Freshmen System Average is 75% Source: IHLMIS, 2009

12 IHL Average ACT Composite Scores for Entering Freshmen System Average is 21.6 Source: IHLMIS, 2009

13 African American Males and the Mississippi Department of Corrections May 1, ,386 males incarcerated in Mississippi 16,147 African American males MDC Fact Sheet 2009

14 Task Force Recommendations To craft a model for data collection, database development and analysis that will form the content of recommendations on policies and programs directed for the African American Males in College Initiative To use data and analyses to determine what programs work (i.e. best practices) and those that do not work To review steps, programs and procedures that lead to successful collegiate-level matriculation of African American males To identify essential social resources that measure success (i.e., financial and human) and to identify social determinations that impede successful collegiate-level matriculation

15 Strategies Adopt-a-School Program Summer Programs for Young Scholars Life After High School Tours Identity Programs Speakers Bureau Peer Mentoring Training Provide Leadership Activities Cultural Enrichment and Co-curricular Activities

16 Strategies Expand Involvement in Student Organizations Exposure to other Cultures and Communities Provide Academic Advising and Planning Provide Peer Mentoring Training Assist Community Groups Ongoing Seminars Financial Support from Greek Organizations Utilize Community Programs to Inform Parents

17 Questions