Establishing the Minority Male Initiative at Mt. San Antonio CollegeThursday, March 4, 2016

Background• 1992-2002: The California Community Colleges requested all community colleges to

have a plan to ensure that groups historically underrepresented in higher education have an equal opportunity for• Access• Successful course completion• English as a Second Language (ESL) and basic skills completion• Completion of degrees and certificates• Transfer to baccalaureate degree granting institutions

• In 2014 and again in 2015, the Governor proposed and the Legislature approved $70 million, to total $140 million statewide.

• In 2014 and again in 2015, colleges were required to submit the Student Equity Plan.

Findings in SE Plan• African American students are much below equity for their most recent year (57%) and 5

Year Average (59%). English Completion• Male African American students are much below equity for their 4 Year Average (59%).

Transfer• Latino/a students are much below equity for their 4 Year Average (male: 64%; female: 77%)

and also much below equity for the current year (male: 65%; female: 79%). Transfer• African American, Latino, and Pacific Islander males are below equity in these areas:

• Access;• English writing and math course completion;• Certificate/Degree completion; and• Transfer.

• Foster Youth, AB540/DREAM, and Disabled were also found to be below equity:• Course/ESL (Credit) Completion;• Certificate/Degree Completion; and• Transfer.

Research InvolvementMore Than a Number?

• The Research Office provided data• The Research Office explained data

Now the Research Office is:• Involved in the implementation of equity

• Minority Male Initiative• SSEED Program

Getting Started…• The SE Equity findings provided the platform to establish the Minority Male

Initiative.

• Meeting #1:• When?• Who?• What? And How?

• We collaborated with our strengths!

Getting Started…• Usual Suspects/Our Strengths—ACES, Arise, Aspire, Bridge, DREAM,

EOPS/CalWORKs, and Foster Youth.

• Student success program geared towards African-American students.• Personal support and guidance from faculty, counselors, and staff.• Workshops, events, and activities to enhance educational experiences.• Campus resources, such as computer/printing services, tutoring, and designated

study areas.

• A federally-funded AANAPISI Grant that serves Asian American and Pacific Islander students.

• Students receive support services including Advising, Counseling, Learning Community courses, and community building activities and events.

• Arise is a community of students from diverse cultures coming together to lift up one another and rise above all sorts of challenges to reach their fullest potential.

Getting Started…• Meeting #2:

• Introductions – we gain a valuable lesson.• Meeting #3:

• We asked the questions?• Meeting #4:

• We hosted the retreat.

Meeting #3 – We asked the questions?• What were your first impressions/experiences at Mt. SAC?• What are some of the barriers and road blocks you face at Mt. SAC?• What are your thoughts or the thoughts of others about going to college (minority

male)?• How do minority males get help/find out information/what to do?• What should Mt. SAC do to better serve minority male students?

Meeting #3 – Student Voices• First Impressions/First Experiences

• “I don’t belong here.”• “Wondered if I could go back to school.”

• Barriers/Road Blocks• “Help w/ registration.”• “Connecting w/ people.”

• Minority Males: Going to College• “College is NOT for everybody which means US.”• “I believed I didn’t deserve it.”

• Get help/information• “Stop thinking your not good enough.”• “Don’t let pride get in the way.”

• Better serve Minority Males• Services, Academics, Programs.

Meeting #4 – The Retreat ACADEMICSPurpose/Definition:

• To inspire and motivate students to see their potential in education as a lifelong career by aspiring towards their academic/educational goals.

CULTURAL/ETHNIC IDENTITYPurpose/Definition:

• To recognize traditional practices, cultural values, along w/multi-cultural collaboration between each other.

PEER TO PEERPurpose/Definition:

• An individual who motivates, relates, and understands the experience of another while attempting to create a bond with individuals to work toward accomplishing each other goals.

SERVICESPurpose/Definition:

• Programs and Services designed to enhance/enrich minority students (Male & Female), educational, personal, and emotional needs.

InitiativesAMBASSADORS

• Employment opportunity• Each one, Reach one• Training – Professional Development, Etiquette, Soft Skills• Accountability/Brotherhood – to each other and ourselves• Campus familiarity – “the President knows my name”• Networking• Visible – Student service/program eyes, ears, and voices

InitiativesSTUDENT SUPPORT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT

(SSEED)

• Employment opportunity• Skills Interest/Assessment• Career Builder – Placement with proper career goals• Employer evaluations (monthly)• Academic Accountability – GPA and course completion• Career Development – Professional etiquette, dress attire, and soft skills• Training, Training, and more training…

What’s Next?• Early Outreach:

• Efforts specifically for Middle/High School MM students• Promotion:

• Testimonials (Digital Stories)• Celebrations (i.e. Cultural themes)

• Educational/Cultural Experiences:• HBCU Trips• Civil Rights Tours

• Professional/Faculty Training:• Institutional agency• Guest lecturers• Ethnic/Cultural Academic Programs (i.e. Chicano Studies, Black Studies, Asian/Pacific

Islander Studies, etc.)

Discussion

THANK YOU!