CCCC Logo

College News

Minority male mentoring program MADE possible

10.03.2011 • College & Community, Foundation, Students/Graduates

SANFORD - Minority male success rates in higher education are low, but Central Carolina Community College is working to see that these students have it MADE on its campuses.

MADE Scholars (Men of Academic Distinction and Excellence Scholars) is the college's new program to provide assessment, outreach, guidance and support to minority male students.

The program, developed by the college's Student Learning Support Department, is expected to increase minority male transition rates from developmental to curriculum courses, increase retention and graduation rates, and increase the number who transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

MADE was developed in conjunction with the North Carolina Community College System's Minority Male Mentoring program. It is funded by a $15,000 one-year MMM grant.

"Minority males who are struggling in a college setting can set and attain their educational goals," said Carl Bryan, CCCC's Dean of Student Learning Support Programs. "They just need a support system in place to help them do so."

The NCCCS Student Enrollment by Race and Gender Report for 2010-11 shows that minority males (Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian, and other non-White groups) make up about 34 percent of the male enrollment at North Carolina's community colleges, with 48,628 minority and 87,317 white.

At CCCC, minority males, for the same year, constituted about 40 percent of the college's male student body: 1,078 minority to 1,521 white.

MADE Scholars will receive individual support needed to help them succeed academically. Each will be paired with a faculty mentor. The Scholars will attend monthly seminars, study sessions, financial aid workshops, educational field trips, and more to help them become and stay successful.

"This will be a chance for some young men to leave their mark and create a legacy for the college," said Solomon McCauley, MADE co-director. McCauley understands the importance of programs that give young people direction and encouragement. As a teenager, he participated in the college's summer National Youth Sports Program. Now, he's back to help others find their path to success.

Community members and the students' families are invited to be part of the MADE Scholars program.

"It will be a comprehensive community effort to engage our MADE Scholars in a successful college experience," he said. "We welcome volunteers, community members to speak during our seminars, and family members to encourage students to participate. When I first came to Lee County in 1992, I was fortunate enough to have mentors in the coaching realm like James Emerson, Ronnie Wicker and Reggie Peace. Everyone needs a mentor that will offer guidance without criticism, and provide firm advice with a moral compass."

Students interested in being part of the program or community or family members willing to volunteer can contact Bryan or Talia Higgs, MADE co-director and Academic Assistance Center coordinator, at (919) 718-7505.

Associate of Arts student Justin Turner, of Sanford, is excited about the new program.

"I'm coming at it from both the position of someone who wants to serve as a mentor and also be mentored," he said. "This is an opportunity for males to start something like a fraternity - in the sense of brotherhood and teaching men to be better role models. I'm interested also that we'll be learning to do things such as writing resumes and visiting colleges and universities."

The MMM grant was obtained by the CCCC Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs. For more information about grants at CCCC, visit www.cccc.edu/grants or call Brian Merritt, director of Grants, Sponsored Programs and Alumni Relations, at (919) 718-7426.

Minority male mentoring program MADE possible

Central Carolina Community College has received a $15,000 grant from the North Carolina Community College's Minority Male Mentoring program to implement its new MADE (Men of Academic Distinction and Excellence) Scholars program to provide assessment, outreach, guidance and support to minority male students. The program, developed by the college's Student Learning Support Department, is expected to increase minority male transition rates from developmental to curriculum courses, increase retention and graduation rates, and increase the number who transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Checking out the ad for it at the college's web page are Justin Turner (seated), of Sanford, an Associate in Arts student; Talia Higgs (back left), MADE co-director and Academic Assistance Center coordinator at the college's Lee County Campus; and Carl Bryan, dean of Student Learning Support Programs. For more information, contact Higgs or Bryan at (919) 718-7505.