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