Men of Color Incentives

The purpose of the Men of Color Initiative is to address and increase the progression and completion rates of minority male students. To accomplish this mission, New Mexico State University should:

  • Provide integrated and targeted supports and interventions when most effective.
  • Aid student’s progress through programs, services and workshops that lead to valuable credentials, without unnecessary detours.
  • Assist students in making informed decisions which result in understanding the requirements and processes to succeed.

 

Fostering Engagement

  • Partner with Other Programs and Community

    One of the ideas that could help foster engagement could be to create a partnership with previously established ethnic programs on the campus. There are many programs designed to provide academic, identity development, and cultural supports that are specific to the interests and needs of male students of color such as (i.e. Black Programs, Chicano Programs, Indian Programs, LGBTQ Program, etc.). Such programs can provide in-depth insight and support for the cultural, academic and emotional needs of these students.

  • Access to Technology

    Another way in which a mentoring program may be able to foster engagement is by giving men of color more available access to technology. There are a small number of programs help students with materials and technology needed to complete assignments. One example is the Minority Male Success Initiative of North Carolina College that aims at providing active participants with additional financial aid or free or low-cost laptop rentals for the academic year. Incorporating this into mentorship program would be very beneficial as it can help alleviate some of the financial strain that some students may be feeling and provide them with the equipment need to complete projects.

  • Access to Mentorship and Professional Development opportunities

    Mentoring is an enormous aspect of the college experience. Effective mentorship has shown positive outcomes due to the fact that it fosters community, creates a sense of belonging, and help students navigate the college environment. This is usually accomplished through the efforts of peers and faculty members. It important to make sure mentors and mentees are compatible and trained on the expectations of the partnership. Mentor matching can help to ensure that mentors are a good fit for the student by way of shared interest or future goals and/or by major or department. An effective mentorship programs would have both mentors and mentees complete an evaluation form to access special interest and likelihood of compatibility. Project M.A.L.E.S at the University of Texas at Austin is a program that mentors and supports students throughout the pipeline starting with middle school student and serving these males all the way through college.

     

Common Strategies to Serve Men of Color (MOC)

  • Advising and Counseling

    College is major transitional juncture for students. Until this point, most students have not encountered the responsibilities, balance and pressures the university culture requires. Often students have a difficult time adjusting to the new demands. Partnering with Academic Advising and Counseling Center is crucial to their overall success. Advisors and counselors can help students create a clear academic and social pathway. An enormous amount of time and money is spent taking unnecessary courses which lengthens the time to degree completion. Effective advising can help to minimize this issue by ensuring students take only the courses needed for their specific programs. This also saves money by eliminating the risk of students taking unnecessary courses. Advisors can serves as advocates for students who may have learning disabilities by pointing them in the right direction to get assistance with course materials and test. Advisors usually also double a counselors. College is a transitional period that can be very rough on students who may be struggling with grades, financial concerns, homesickness and other issues. Advisors and Counselors are one of the first lines of defense using active listening and counseling skills to aid students.

  • Study Skills and College Readiness Courses

    Understanding that students, especially men of color come from various levels of academic backgrounds and experiences is critical to creating an effective mentorship program. Unfortunately, some men of color begin college lacking essential study skills and learning behaviors. It then becomes very important to make study skill training readily available in the program. Such topics would include: time management, notetaking, stress management and motivation. Other skill development opportunities are leadership and identity development training. Some of the best mentorship programs offer students opportunities to share their newly obtained skills or talents with younger students who may later attend their alma maters.

  • Professional Development and Exposure to Successful Role Models

    Men of Color also benefit greatly from special events or workshops offered in the mentorship program. Workshops and Presentations are given by professionals of colors and are open to the community. Participation in activities such as civic engagement projects, sporting events, volunteering activities, race and ethnicity workshops, social justice training, gender and sexuality workshop, professional and career exploration, etc. have shown promise to building a sense of community and belong.