African American Males in College

1. African American Males in College 2009 Southeastern Regional GEAR UP Conference Jackson, Mississippi October 7, 2009 Dr. Reginald Sykes Assistant Commissioner for Community and Junior College Relations Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning

2. 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 Education 2

3. African American Males in CollegeTask Force • Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning • State Board for Community and Junior Colleges • Mississippi Department of Education • Community/Business Leaders 3

4. 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 4

5. African American Enrollment Trends • 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 5

6. Mississippi Department of Education African American Enrollment2008 Total Enrollment: 491,194 Students • African American Females 123,027 25% • African American Males 124,933 25% Source: MDE, 2009

7. IHL African American Enrollment 7 Source: IHLMIS, 2009

8. IHL Enrollment by Gender and Ethnicity System Enrollment is around 71,000 8 Source: IHLMIS, 2009

9. Mississippi High School Graduation Rates2008 • All Students 72% • African American Females 74% • African American Males 58% Source: MDE, 2009

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

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

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

13. Mississippi Community/Junior CollegeAfrican American Enrollment 13 Source: MACJC 2007-2008 Annual Report

14. Mississippi Community/Junior CollegeAfrican American Enrollment Percentage By Curriculum, Fall 2007 Source: MACJC 2007-2008 Annual Report

15. Mississippi Community/Junior CollegeAfrican American Enrollment PercentageIn A Remedial Course Source: MACJC 2007-2008 Annual Report

16. Mississippi Community/Junior CollegeAfrican American Graduation, 2006-07 Source: MACJC 2007-2008 Annual Report

17. Mississippi Community/Junior CollegeAfrican American Graduation Percentage By Curriculum, 2006-07 Source: MACJC 2007-2008 Annual Report

18. Mississippi Department of CorrectionsSelf-Reported Education Level of African American Male Inmates As of May 1, 2009 23,386 males incarcerated in Mississippi 14,432 African American males incarcerated in Mississippi 18 Source: MDC Fact Sheet 2009

19. 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 19

20. 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 andCo-curricular Activities 20

21. 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 21

22. Next Steps • Community and Junior College Presidents • Strategies and Measures • Best Practices

23. Questions 23