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

22 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

33 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

44 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

55 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

6 Mississippi Department of Education African American Enrollment 2008 Total Enrollment: 491,194 Students African American Females 123,027 25% African American Males 124,933 25% Source: MDE, 2009

77 IHL African American Enrollment Source: IHLMIS, 2009

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

9 Mississippi High School Graduation Rates 2008 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% 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 Mississippi Community/Junior College African American Enrollment Source: MACJC Annual Report

14 Mississippi Community/Junior College African American Enrollment Percentage By Curriculum, Fall 2007 Source: MACJC Annual Report

15 Mississippi Community/Junior College African American Enrollment Percentage In A Remedial Course Source: MACJC Annual Report

16 Mississippi Community/Junior College African American Graduation, Source: MACJC Annual Report

17 Mississippi Community/Junior College African American Graduation Percentage By Curriculum, Source: MACJC Annual Report

18 Mississippi Department of Corrections Self-Reported Education Level of African American Male Inmates Source: MDC Fact Sheet 2009 Education LevelAfrican American Males GED1,069 Grade 121,535 4 Years College48 Bachelors15 Masters3 Doctoral1 Total2,671(18.5%) As of May 1, ,386 males incarcerated in Mississippi 14,432 African American males incarcerated in Mississippi

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

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 and Co-curricular Activities

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

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

23 Questions