African American Males in College
Reginald SykesAssistant Commissioner for Community and Junior College
RelationsMississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
Vrita DelaineAssistant to Vice President for Student Affairs
University of Southern Mississippi
May 19, 2009
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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
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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
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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
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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
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IHL African American Enrollment
8,452
17,597
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
Fall 2008
Male
Female
Source: IHLMIS, 2009
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Mississippi Community/Junior CollegeAfrican American Enrollment
10,383
23,939
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
2007-2008
Male
Female
MACJC 2007-2008 Annual Report
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IHL Enrollment by Gender and Ethnicity
17,337 17,462 17,587 17,773 17,597
8,274 8,276 8,426 8,535 8,452
16,850 17,010 17,045 17,017 16,881
15,170 15,310 15,232 15,423 15,404
7,500
9,500
11,500
13,500
15,500
17,500
19,500
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Fall Term
Stu
den
t E
nro
llm
ent
Black Females
Black Males
White Females
White Males
Source: IHLMIS, 2009
System Enrollment is around
71,000
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IHL Six-Year Graduation Rates for First-Time, Full-Time Freshmen
42% 42%
45% 46% 47% 48%
45%43%
27%
30%
34% 33%31%
34%32% 33%
52% 53%
57% 56% 56%58% 57% 56%
45%
49% 48%50% 50% 51% 51% 51%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02
Cohort Year
Gra
du
atio
n R
ate
Black Females
Black Males
White Females
White Males
System Average is
48%
Source: IHLMIS, 2009
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IHL One-Year Retention Rates for First-Time, Full-Time Freshmen
77% 77%78%
77%
73%
70%
72%73%
72%
74%
69%
72%
69%
67%
70%
67%
80%
77%78%
81%80%
81%80% 80%
74%
72%
74%
76%77% 77% 77%
76%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
Cohort Year
Ret
enti
on
Rat
e
Black Females
Black Males
White Females
White Males
System Average is
75%
Source: IHLMIS, 2009
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IHL Average ACT Composite Scores for Entering Freshmen
18.318.5
18.7 18.718.9
18.2 18.318.6 18.7 18.8
23.2 23.2 23.123.4
23.623.9 24.0
23.8 23.9 24.0
17.0
18.0
19.0
20.0
21.0
22.0
23.0
24.0
25.0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Fall Term
AC
T C
om
po
site
Black Females
Black Males
White Females
White Males
System Average is
21.6
Source: IHLMIS, 2009
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African American Males and the Mississippi Department of
Corrections
May 1, 2009
23,386 males incarcerated in Mississippi
16,147 African American males
MDC Fact Sheet 2009
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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
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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
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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
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Questions
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