Recruiting, Retaining and Graduating Black Male College Students

That funding also enabled AAMI to more strongly partnerwith the USG’s Office of Strategic Research and PolicyAnalysis, dedicating a research associate to work directlywith that office on the program’s data-collection efforts.In October 2006, the program moved its home from theBoard of Regents’ offices to the campus of KennesawState University, with strong support from KSU PresidentDr. Daniel S. Papp. Papp was highly involved in AAMI’sinitial implementation during his tenure as a senior vicechancellor at the Board of Regents, serving as ex officio ofthe AAMI task force. The program now is administered inthe office of KSU’s Vice President of External Affairs, therole Perry-Johnson now holds.In 2009, when the Lumina Foundation awarded its secondgrant to AAMI, the funding was for $500,000 over twoyears. That generous grant has enabled AAMI to significantlyexpand its programming and reporting capabilities, to launcha retention initiative in partnership with the Student African-American Brotherhood (SAAB), and to document impressiveoutcomes. That same year, AAMI further honed its effortsto focus specifically on undergraduate efforts that yieldedimpressive results.Collaborations and PartnershipsAAMI thrives on building partnerships, both with theUSG campuses and with external organizations. One ofthe program’s recent collaborations is the partnershipbetween AAMI and the national office of SAAB. SAAB isdevoted to increasing the number of African-Americanand Latino males that graduate from college by settingexamples of excellence in academics and leadership. Witha portion of its Lumina funding, AAMI launched SAABchapters at eight USG institutions to enhance participationby African-American and Latino males in campus life andleadership activities.AAMI officials worked with SAAB officials to identifyparticipating campuses through a data-analysis processthat benchmarked the retention and graduation rates ofBlack males at all USG institutions relative to the nationalbenchmark for the same types of institutions with similaradmissions profiles. The initiative has been successful withmany of the participating campuses and with the young menthat it serves to engage, with one of the USG’s AAMI-SAABchapters being honored for its success at the 2012 SAABnational convention.Sharing Best Practices and OutcomesIn December 2007, AAMI program officials convened theinaugural AAMI Best Practices Conference at KennesawState University to share the outcomes, challenges andsuccessful strategies that enhance educational results forGeorgia’s African-American male students. The 2007conference marked AAMI’s five-year milestone, and featuredan awards banquet, nationally recognized speakers in thefield of Black male educational attainment, and 11 specializedworkshop sessions tailored to the needs of the staff andstudent conferees. Networking breaks provided additionalopportunities for conference attendees to meet and exchangeinformation with their USG colleagues. The success of thatinaugural conference prompted AAMI student participantsand campus officials to rally for similar future gatherings.As a result, AAMI convened its second Best PracticesConference in April 2011, at Macon State College in Macon,Georgia, to mark the culmination of the $500,000 LuminaFoundation grant. Among many conference highlights, notedactor, author and philanthropist Hill Harper facilitated a90-minute “Open Forum for Black Males,” during whichhe challenged the attendees to push themselves to theirhighest possible levels of performance. An interactiveworkshop provided students strategies for building careerpaths by taking advantage of student leadership, internshipand graduate school opportunities. Additional workshopsaddressed other critical issues for African-American malestudents, including sessions on enhancing their self-image,interpersonal and social skills; and also a workshop onbalancing athletics and academics. AAMI program officialsalso engaged in insightful discussions about creating andsustaining successful campus programs.In September 2012, AAMI convened its third conference, inpartnership with the National Black College Alumni Hall of FameFoundation, Inc. The conference marked the historic 10-yearanniversary of AAMI’s launching back in September 2002 —providing the organization’s officials and participating campusprograms an opportunity to reflect on the pioneering initiative’simpact, challenges and future strategic directions. The three-daygathering, held in Atlanta, attracted nearly 300 African-Americanmale students, AAMI program directors, and key stakeholdersof the statewide initiative. Conferees were afforded manyopportunities to share experiences and concerns, learn newskills, and hear unique perspectives on a wide range of topicsrelated to Black males’ academic success. Participants heard fromoutstanding keynote speakers from business, higher education,sports and entertainment that emphasized the value of academicachievement in their careers and personal lives. The conveningalso again featured an Awards and Recognition Banquet, wherebest-practice contributors and key advocates of the AAMIprogram were recognized.“The University System of Georgia has done pioneering workin identifying and addressing the educational challenges facedby black males, and our work is frequently benchmarked,”Perry-Johnson said. “We convene these conferences to sharethe vital information we have learned with our USG colleaguesand with others engaged in this important work. Our goal is todemonstrate what works, so that others may replicate, expandand — most importantly — fund these important programs.”A National ModelAAAMI has garnered significant national attention. Theprogram is widely credited with being the first-ever statewideeffort specifically focused on increasing post-secondaryeducational attainment among Black males. Peers in thehigher education community have sought to learn from andadopt AAMI’s trailblazing model as awareness has increasednationally of the ethnic and gender disparities prevalent onU.S. college campuses. Program officials have respondedto scores of benchmarking and research requests, hostedvisits from numerous higher education and organizationalentities, made presentations at national conferences and beenfeatured in numerous state and national media outlets. Theprogram positions the University System of Georgia’s work inimproving educational outcomes for Black males as a nationalmodel and as a potential demonstration project.Program AssessmentOver the past decade, AAMI has matured and reached a pivotaldevelopmental point. At this juncture, the need to conduct anassessment of the program’s groundbreaking work since itsinception is vital. To aid with the review effort, during fiscalyear 2012 AAMI program officials contracted a consultantto undertake a pre-evaluation assessment aimed at formallydocumenting AAMI’s program theory and logic model. Theconsultant’s report — based on visits to 12 campuses engagedin the AAMI project, interviews with more than 50 AAMIstakeholders and participants, and an exhaustive review ofAAMI program reports, data and literature — establishes a firmfoundation for a future independent program evaluation. Fundingsupport is being sought for this endeavor.While AAMI’s targeted recruitment and retention programshave produced heartening results, the USG’s statewide initiativemust continue tackling the dearth of Black male collegegraduates and their disproportionate status relative to their maleand female peers. In particular, AAMI must address the clearretention challenges that have developed with the increasingenrollment of Black male students. What is abundantly clearto AAMI and USG officials is that the educational plight ofAfrican-American males can be reversed with the commitmentof appropriate resources. Doing so has become an economicimperative for our nation, and we look forward to continuingour partnerships with those who share this mission.4 5

Outcomes:The University System of Georgia’s African-American Male InitiativeOutcomes:The University System of Georgia’s African-American Male InitiativeThe Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) launched the African-American Male Initiative (AAMI © )in 2002 after officials uncovered stark data that revealed the disproportionate number of black women versus black menenrolled in the USG — 35,873 black females compared to 17,068 black males — a more than 2:1 ratio. AAMI © efforts aimedat expanding the pipeline of young black males qualified for college admission, and enhancing their college matriculation andgraduation, have achieved successful performance outcomes.EnrollmentSince AAMI’s inception in 2002, the University System of Georgia has made tremendous strides with the enrollment of African-American males. Black male enrollment has increased by 80.73 percent — from 17,068 students in fall 2002 to 30,847 students in fall2011 — an addition of 13,779 black male students.Among the USG’s first-time, full-time freshmen population, African-American male enrollment grew a whopping 148.45 percentduring this same period. The number of Black male first-time, full-time freshmen jumped from 2,811 in Fall 2002 to 6,984 in Fall 2011.This performance strongly outpaced both white female and white male enrollment increases within the University System. TheUSG’s white male first-time, full-time freshmen enrollment increased 17.12 percent — from 10,864 students in 2002 to 12,724students in 2011 — while white female first-time, full-time freshmen enrollment increased 16.08 percent, from 12,547 students in2002 to 14,564 students in 2011.RetentionRetention data in the University System ofGeorgia is reported in two ways: “institutionspecific”retention, capturing students retainedat the same USG institution in which theyinitially enrolled as freshmen, and “System-wide”retention, capturing students retained in theirsecond year at any of the USG’s 35 institutions.As Black male enrollment in the USG hassuccessively increased over the past nine years,retention rates have shown annual improvementsas well. However, in the past couple of years, whenenrollment increases of African-American maleshave ranged from 7 to 15 percent, small drops havebeen recorded in their overall retention rates.The System-wide retention rate for first-time,full-time bachelor’s degree-seeking Black malefreshmen that entered the University System infall 2002 was 79.43 percent (total number: 1,740).By fall 2010, the number of black male first-time,full-time freshmen enrolled in the USG had nearlydoubled to 3,315, and their retention rate droppedslightly by fall 2011 to 74.87 percent. In spite ofthis statistical change, a significantly larger groupof Black male students are now matriculating andbeing retained in the USG.In comparison, the System-wide retention ratefor first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree-seekingBlack female freshmen that entered the USG in thefall 2002 was 85.12 percent (total number: 2,842).Correspondingly, the retention rate for the fall 2010cohort of Black female freshmen dropped slightly to82.22 percent — even as their numbers also swelledto 5,219.Meanwhile, the retention rate for all studentsthat entered the USG in the fall 2002 was 85.59percent (total number: 22,830). The System-wideretention rate for the fall 2010 cohort of all firsttime,full-time bachelor’s degree-seeking freshmenalso recorded a minor dip, to 84.61 percent (totalnumber: 32,765).This data reflects the continuing challenge ofclosing the retention-rate performance gap forUSG African-American males relative to theirpeers — an area of strong emphasis for the USG’sAAMI program.6 7

Outcomes:The University System of Georgia’s African-American Male InitiativeOutcomes:The University System of Georgia’s African-American Male InitiativeGraduationThe University System of Georgia uses thenational benchmark of six years to report graduationrates for baccalaureate degrees. Considerable strideshave been made within the USG with regard to blackmale graduation rates over the past nine years forwhich date is available.AAMI’s benchmark year for analyzing the graduaterates of first-time, full-time African-American malefreshmen is the cohort that entered in fall 1997 andgraduated no later than fiscal year 2003. That cohort’sgraduation rate was 28.95 percent.The graduation rates have fluctuated for eachincoming cohort over the past decade, moving to33.38 percent for the 1998 and 34.18 percent for the1999 cohorts; then to 37.49 percent for the 2000cohort; and ultimately, to 38.89 percent for the 2001cohort. The graduation rate for African-Americanmale freshmen that entered in fall 2002 then declinedslightly to 37.13 percent, and dropped again to 36.33percent for the 2003 cohort — though the declineswere balanced against burgeoning enrollment. Thegraduation rate is now back on the upswing. It roseto 38.98 percent for the 2004 cohort and rose yetagain to 40.35 percent for the 2005 cohort (whichgraduated no later than Spring 2011), reflecting a 11.40percentage point increase since AAMI’s inception.In comparison, the graduation rates of first-time,full-time African-American female freshmen thatentered the USG in fall 1997 was 41.03 percent. Thatrate increased for each new incoming cohort forseveral years, moving to 45.90 percent for the 1998and 49.08 percent for the 1999 cohorts; then to50.36 percent for the 2000 cohort; and ultimately,to 52.45 percent for the 2001 cohort.The graduation rate for the fall 2002 cohort thendropped slightly to 49.26 percent. It quickly bouncedback, however, and increased to 50.65 percent forthe 2003 cohort; rose again to 50.70 percent forthe 2004 cohort, and yet again for the 2005 cohort,rising to 51.94 percent — ultimately reflecting a 10.91percentage point increase during the comparableperiod. Much more work remains on this criticalfront, both to meet the USG average and to close theperformance gap of Black males against their femalepeers, as the comparative charts here depict.However, progress is being recorded.Degrees ConferredThe University System of Georgia is stronglycommitted to increasing the number of degreesconferred to African-American males — andthis performance indicator is showing impressiveoutcomes.The number of bachelor’s degreesconferred annually to African-American malesby USG institutions has increased by 58.11percent, from 1,294 in fiscal year 2003, to2,046 in fiscal year 2011 — an increase of 752additional bachelor’s degrees being awardedannually to Black male students.Comparatively, the number of degreesbeing conferred annually by USG institutionsto African-American females has increased by53.89 percent — from 2,853 in fiscal year 2003to 4,362 in fiscal year 2011.The ChallengeWhen the data is disaggregated — be itenrollment, persistence, or completion statistics— African-American males nationally rank atthe bottom relative to their peers in terms ofthese critical performance indicators.University System of Georgia officials,however, are not content to accept that factas a perpetual reality. AAMI’s mission is tosignificantly increase the graduation rates ofAfrican-American males in the USG, which willcontribute to both our state’s and our nation’seducational attainment levels.The good news is that the University System ofGeorgia’s targeted initiatives are yielding dividendsand our enrollment, retention and graduationrates all are showing significant improvement.Still, we recognize there is much more workto be done. With the continued commitmentof AAMI program officials, our civic partnersand our funding supporters, we will remainlaser-focused on enhancing the educationalattainment of African-American males.8 9

The University System of Georgia’sAfrican-American Male Initiative ProgramsThe University System of Georgia’sAfrican-American Male Initiative ProgramsAbraham BaldwinAgricultural College*Leaders Evolving and Developing(L.E.A.D) – Living-Learning Community(LLC)The L.E.A.D. program targets firstsemester African-American males withemphasis on first generation studentsand learning support requirements.The program is designed to promotea successful transition to college life.Progress toward meeting this objectiveincludes housing coordination, teambuilding activities and periodic academicreviews.Academic Level Served:Incoming College FreshmenABAC SAABAbraham Baldwin’s “Brother 2 Brother”chapter of the Student African-AmericanBrotherhood (S.A.A.B.) has an emphasison African-American male studentsuccess, retention, and graduation. SAABprovides participants the opportunity tocreate a positive peer community throughengagement in personal growth activitiesand through participation in servicelearning projects in the community.Academic Level Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contact:Mr. Javier GonzalezDirector of Multicultural EducationProgramsAbraham Baldwin Agricultural College 502802 Moore HighwayTifton, GA 31793-2601jgonzalez@abac.edu(229) 391-4877Albany State UniversityAsterisk(*) = AAMI-SAAB Chapter Site SAAB: Student African-American Brotherhood Asterisk(*) = AAMI-SAAB Chapter Site SAAB: Student African-American BrotherhoodCenter for African-American Males(C.A.A.M.)CAAM enables freshmen males to makea transition from high school to ASU.Through programs that focus on retention,involvement and graduation, we seek toenable students to discover their authenticidentities by allowing them to achievetheir full potential as scholars and assumeleadership roles in the community upongraduation.Writing about the African-AmericanAthletic Experience CAAM’s LearningCommunityThe Writing about the African-AmericanAthletic Experience Learning Communityis designed to recruit, retain and educatefreshmen males. The courses are EnglishComposition I (ENGL 1101) and teamSports I (PEDH 1001) during the fall andEnglish composition II (ENGL 1102) andRecreational Skills II (PEDH 1004) duringthe spring.Academic Level Served:College FreshmenProgram Contacts:Mr. Antonio LeroyExecutive Director, Center for African-American MalesAlbany State University504 College DriveAlbany, GA 31705antonio.leroy@asurams.edu(229) 430-1821Mr. Mark HankersonWriting Lab DirectorAlbany State University504 College DriveAlbany, GA 31705Mark.hankerson@asurams.edu(229) 430-7894Armstrong Atlantic StateUniversityMen of Vision and Excellence (M.O.V.E.)Men of Vision and Excellence (M.O.V.E.)is a multifaceted support strategyfor African-American males enteringArmstrong as first-time, full-time, collegefreshmen. The goal is to enhanceretention, progression, and graduation bycreating a culture of academic supportand success.Academic Level Served:Incoming College FreshmenProgram Contacts:Dr. Herbert BruceDirector, First Year ExperienceArmstrong Atlantic State University11935 Abercorn StreetSavannah, GA 31419Herbert.bruce@armstrong.edu(912) 344-3328Atlanta Metropolitan StateCollege (AMSC)*Brother 2 Brother (B2B)The goal of AMSC’s B2B chapter is toenhance the success of African-Americanand Latino males by focusing on retentionand graduation through service-learningopportunities, social activities andmentoring support. Monthly studentledmeetings focus on encouragingbrotherhood and community involvementand academic support.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contacts:Ms. Sharon R. DuhartAAMI Program Director and AcademicAdvisorAtlanta Metropolitan State College1630 Metropolitan Parkway, S.W.Atlanta, GA 30310sduhart@atlm.edu(404) 756-2746Mr. Stephen WoodallDirector of Student Outreach & Accessand AAMI Program CoordinatorAtlanta Metropolitan State College1630 Metropolitan Parkway, S.W.Atlanta, GA 30310swoodall@atlm.edu(404) 756-4635Augusta State University *Augusta State African-American MaleInitiative (AAMI) — The Winning GamePlanThe Augusta State University AAMIprogram facilitates the successful transitionof first-time, full-time traditional African-American males. This is achieved byproviding a summer bridge programthat includes six credit-hours of collegecourse work, math and writing workshops,thematic topics, relevant educational andmotivational events, and speakers/rolemodels from the community.Academic Level Served:Incoming College FreshmenAugusta State SAABAugusta State’s SAAB chapter focuses onthe retention and graduation of African-American males through social activities,service-learning opportunities andsupport. Weekly meetings are student-ledand focus on encouraging brotherhoodand community involvement, as well asacademic support.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contact:Ms. Deltrye HoltAssistant Professor of MathematicsAugusta State UniversityAllgood Hall, Suite E-3232500 Walton WayAugusta, GA 30904-2200dholt@aug.edu(706) 667-4484Clayton State University*Clayton State University African-American Male Initiative – ProjectRenaissance MenTo enhance retention and graduation,Project Renaissance Men providesintervention and prevention servicesto African-American male students onacademic probation and to first-time,full-time African-American freshmen.In addition, the first-year students willbe interviewed during new studentorientation to further assess their fit forthe program. Decisions about matchingstudents will be a shared responsibilitybetween the project director, faculty andpeer mentors and the student’s academicadvisor based on the needs and interest ofthe program participant.Academic Levels Served:Incoming College Freshmen and SophomoresClayton State SAABClayton State’s SAAB chapter focuses onthe retention and graduation of African-American males through social activities,service-learning opportunities andsupport. Weekly meetings are student-ledand focus on encouraging brotherhoodand community involvement, as well asacademic support.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contact:Mr. Eric BridgesAssociate Professor of PsychologyClayton State University2000 Clayton State BoulevardMorrow, GA 30260-0285ericbridges@mail.clayton.edu(678) 466-4726College of Coastal GeorgiaTorchbearersTorchbearers is a student organization thatprovides African-American males, includingthose who have completed the summerBridge and Go program, additionalacademic and social support throughgraduation. Peer mentoring, seminars andcommunity outreach programs engageother members of the campus and localcommunity in assisting African-Americanmales to enroll and graduate from college.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsSummer Bridge & GoSummer Bridge & Go is a pre-college,residential experience for freshmen males.The primary focus is to assist studentsin testing out of one or more learningsupport courses. Students participate inevening presentations focused on collegetransition topics, weekly communityservice and weekend field trips thatengage students with the local community.Academic Level Served:Incoming College FreshmenProgram Contacts:Mr. Floyd PhoenixCoordinator of Diversity & InclusionCollege of Coastal GeorgiaOne College DriveBrunswick, GA 31520fphoenix@ccga.edu(912) 279-5805Ms. Heidi LemingVice President for Student AffairsOne College DriveCollege of Coastal GeorgiaBrunswick, GA 31520helming@ccga.edu(912) 279-5970Columbus State UniversityCollegiate 100 Black Men of ColumbusThe Collegiate 100 Black Men is anauxiliary organization on the campus ofColumbus State University. Participantsassist the parent organization withthe development of social, emotional,educational, and physical needs of youngblack males who have few or no positiverole models in the communities in whichthey live.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contact:Mr. C. Bernard McCraryStudent Development Specialist forOrganizations and Student ActivitiesColumbus State University4225 University AvenueColumbus, GA 31907-5645mccrary_collins@columbusstate.edu(706) 568-2273Fort Valley State UniversityAfrican-American Male Initiative (AAMI)The AAMI program at Fort Valley aimsto increase the retention, progressionand graduation rates of African-Americanmales through learning communities,mentoring and leadership development.Students enter into the program uponentering their Freshmen year and aremonitored and tracked with that cohort.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contact:Dr. Jerry L. Haywood, Jr.Executive Director of Academic SuccessCenterFort Valley State University1005 State University DriveFort Valley, GA 31030-4313haywoodj@fvsu.edu(478) 822-1070Gainesville State CollegeNorth Star Leadership Association(Guiding Men to Success)Our goal is to improve the collegeretention and graduation rates amongAfrican-American male students attendingGainesville State College by providing anenvironment conducive to their success.The North Star Leadership program iscomprised of three key components:mentoring, academic support andleadership development.Academic Levels Served:All levelsProgram Contact:Mr. Robert L. RobinsonDirector, Office for Diversity Initiatives andIntercultural RelationsGainesville State CollegeP.O. Box 1358Gainesville, GA 30503rrobinson@gsc.edu(678) 717-3654Ms. Nashia WhittenburgDirector, Multicultural AffairsAcademic Level Served:Armstrong Atlantic State UniversityIncoming College Freshmen11935 Abercorn StreetSavannah, GA 31419Nashia.whittenburg@armstrong.edu(912) 344-301810 11

The University System of Georgia’sAfrican-American Male Initiative ProgramsThe University System of Georgia’sAfrican-American Male Initiative ProgramsGeorgia College & StateUniversityMentoring African-Americans forLeadership, Education and Connection(MALE-Connection)Georgia College’s M.A.L.E. Connectionprogram aims to provide a supportnetwork for African-American malestudents. It connects students to thecollege, the community and otherUniversity System of Georgia African-American students while improving theiracademic and professional abilities andincreasing their retention and graduationrates.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contact:Mr. Emmanuel LittleDiversity & Retention CoordinatorGeorgia College & State UniversityCultural Center, Campus Box 4Milledgeville, GA 31061-0490emmanuel.little@gcsu.edu(478) 445-8155Georgia Gwinnett College*Elite Scholars ProgramThe goal of the Elite Scholars Programis to increase enrollment and maintainretention of African-American malesin STEM fields through the academic,leadership and civic engagement toolsneeded to be successful. Participants willbe exposed to learning opportunities,community involvement and otheractivities throughout the 2012-2013academic year.Academic Level Served:College FreshmenAsterisk(*) = AAMI-SAAB Chapter Site SAAB: Student African-American Brotherhood Asterisk(*) = AAMI-SAAB Chapter Site SAAB: Student African-American BrotherhoodProgram Contacts:Ms. Deborah ReatoDirector-One Stop Shop andInterim Director Minority OutreachGeorgia Gwinnett College1000 University Center LaneLawrenceville, GA 30017dreato@ggc.edu(678) 407-5804Ms. Lawana HaynesEnrollment Management Associate-Financial AidGeorgia Gwinnett College1000 University Center LaneLawrenceville, GA 30017lhaynes@ggc.edu(678) 407-5824Georgia Highlands College*Georgia Highlands African-Americanand Minority Male Excellence (GHAME)GHAME is GHC’s AAMI program whichfocuses on the recruitment, retentionand graduation of African-American andLatino men. Advisors assist pre-freshmenwith the enrollment process and workwith enrolled students through graduationand beyond. Our SAAB Chapter (Brother2 Brother) factors strongly in theimplementation of GHAME.Academic Levels Served:Pre-Freshmen, College Freshmen andSophomoresSAABOur SAAB Chapter (Brother 2 Brother)factors strongly in the implementation ofGHAME.Academic Levels Served:College Freshmen and SophomoresProgram Contact:Dr. Jonathan HersheyChair, Humanities DivisionGeorgia Highlands College3175 Cedartown Highway, SERome, GA 30161jhershey@highlands.edu(706) 368-7629Georgia Institute of TechnologyProviding Resources to Ignite MaleExcellence (GT PRIME)GT PRIME (Providing Resources toIgnite Male Excellence) is the AAMIinitiative to address the negative trend inacademic performance of black males atGT. Its purpose is to provide resources,motivation and leadership training forblack males. This is achieved throughworkshops, speaker series, mentoring andtutoring each semester and Challenge(a 50 week summer bridge program forincoming students.)Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contacts:Mr. S. Gordon Moore, Jr.Executive Director – Student Diversity &InclusionGeorgia Institute of TechnologyOffice of Institute Diversity237 Uncle Heine Way, Suite 230Atlanta, GA 30332-0740Gordon.moore@gatech.edu(404) 894-6089Mr. Andre DickensGT-PRIME Program ManagerStudent Initiatives ManagerGeorgia Institute of TechnologyOMED: Educational Services681 Cherry Street, NWAtlanta, GA 30332-0600Andre.dickens@omed.gatech.edu(404) 894-8746Georgia Perimeter CollegeThe Leadership AcademyGeorgia Perimeter College’s LeadershipAcademy is a team-building scholarshipand retention program that seeks toincrease retention, graduation andtransfer rates of African-Americanmales. The program increases accessand builds success by focusing onscholarships, teamwork and service; itstrengthens leadership skills and providesacademic support, mentors and personaldevelopment training.Academic Levels Served:College Freshmen and SophomoresProgram Contacts:Ms. Coletta CarterAssistant Vice President,Student Development & Special ProgramsGeorgia Perimeter College555 N. Indian Creek DriveClarkston, GA 30021coletta.carter@gpc.edu(678) 891-2455Ms. Sarah VaughanProgram Coordinator, LeadershipAcademy555 N. Indian Creek DriveClarkston, GA 30021sarah.vaughan@gpc.edu(678) 891-3737Georgia Southern UniversityPathways to SuccessAligned with the AAMI and USG’sdedication to closing the achievementgap, the Pathways to Success program is acohort model designed to create a cultureof academic excellence amongst African-American males. Through intentionalprogramming, incoming students are linkedto critical campus resources that aid inacademic and social development.Academic Level Served:Incoming College FreshmenStudent African American Brotherhood(SAAB)The SAAB program creates relevantexperiences for African-American andLatino males who plan to achieve theirdreams through higher education. TheGeorgia Southern Chapter of SAAB wasrecognized as “New Chapter of the Year”in 2011 and also received the “StellarChapter award” at the SAAB Nationalconference.Academic Level Served:Incoming College FreshmenProgram Contacts:Mr. Christopher PughAssistant Director – Multicultural StudentCenter, & Pathways to Success & StudentAfrican American Brotherhood (SAAB)Georgia Southern UniversityRussell Union – Room 2070P.O. Box 8068Statesboro, GA 30460mpugh@georgiasouthern.edu(912) 478-5409Dr. Amy BallaghAssistant Vice President for Student Affairs& Enrollment Management & PathwaysProject DirectorP.O. Box 8063Statesboro, GA 30460aballagh@georgiasouthern.edu(912) 478-5256Georgia SouthwesternState UniversityAfrican-American Male InstituteAll programming is aimed at providingstudents personal attention by bringingspeakers that can motivate and inspirethem to stay in school and graduate.Also, students are provided alternateactivities that are more geared tobecoming a better person, a betterstudent and a contributing citizen in thecommunity. Students also are providedthe experience of understandingtheir self-worth and their socialresponsibilities. There also is a consistentmessage of African-American historyand heritage. Most importantly, there isan academic supplementary instructioncomponent for the students to makesure they are successfully progressingtoward college graduation.Academic Levels Served:All Academic LevelsProgram Contact:Mr. Ervin D. AndersonSenior Lecturer/School of Computing andMathematicsExecutive Director of the GeorgiaSouthwestern African-American Male InstituteGeorgia Southwestern UniversityCrawford Wheatley Hall, Room 210800 Georgia Southwestern State DriveAmericus, GA 31709-4693eda@canes.gsw.edu(229) 931-2200Georgia State UniversityAfrican-American Male InitiativeSuccess Program at Georgia StateUniversity (AAMI)The Office of African-American StudentServices and Programs administersGeorgia State University’s AAMI program.The program’s initiatives provide African-American males resources for theirstudies and research assignments, as wellas resources to develop interpersonalrelationships, team-building skills,leadership, career management and selfidentityvia group discussions. The studentsalso have the opportunity to participate ina faculty mentoring program. To enhancetheir leadership abilities, the AAMIprogram encourages students to activelyparticipate in the university’s numerousstudent and Greek organizations.Academic Levels Served:All Academic Levels12 13

The University System of Georgia’sAfrican-American Male Initiative ProgramsThe University System of Georgia’sAfrican-American Male Initiative ProgramsTighter Grip (Student Organization)Tighter Grip provides resources toenhance its members’ academic studies,interpersonal relationships, career focusand self-identity via group discussions,team building and lectures. The studentorganization also fosters brotherhoodand business connections across campusorganizations, the student body and theAtlanta community. The organizationalso offers a mentoring program, whichprovides a certification, and enablesmembers to effectively engage, encourage,and challenge middle and high schoolstudents.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contacts:Dr. Doris A. DerbyDirector, African-American StudentServices and Programs (OAASS&P)Georgia State UniversityP.O. Box 3965Atlanta, GA 30303-3083dderby@gsu.edu(404) 413-1530Dr. David Smith, Jr.Assistant Director, African-AmericanStudent Services and Programs(OAASS&P)Georgia State UniversityP.O. Box 3965Atlanta, GA 30303-3083dsmithjr@gsu.edu(404) 413-1542Mr. Bryan K. MurrayStaff AdvisorGeorgia State UniversityP.O. Box 3965Atlanta, GA 30303-3083Bmurray1@gsu.edu(404) 413-8070Gordon College*Student African-American Brotherhood(SAAB)Gordon College’s SAAB chapter focuseson improving the retention, progressionand graduation rates of African-Americanand Latino male students by providingacademic, personal, social and culturaldevelopment. The core components ofthe program include leadership training,student advisement and communityservice.Academic Level Served:Incoming College FreshmenAsterisk(*) = AAMI-SAAB Chapter Site SAAB: Student African-American Brotherhood Asterisk(*) = AAMI-SAAB Chapter Site SAAB: Student African-American BrotherhoodProgram Contact:Ms. Michelle Perry-StewartMinority Advising Program CoordinatorGordon College419 College DriveBarnesville, GA 30204mperry-stewart@gdn.edu(678) 359-5096Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw State University African-American Male Initiative (AAMI)The KSU AAMI program is sustainedin partnership with faculty, staff andstudents to increase retention, progressionand graduation rates of Black menthrough academic, social and leadershipdevelopment. Initiative goals are: needsassessment; pre-collegiate outreach;mentoring; leadership development/academic achievement; and informationdisseminationAcademic Levels Served:All Academic LevelsProgram Contact:Ms. Nicole PhillipsAssociate Director of StudentDevelopment & Assistant Director ofMulticultural Student Retention ServicesKennesaw State University1000 Chastain Road, #0502Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591nphill10@kennesaw.edu(770) 423-6443Macon State College*Men of Distinction (MOD) – A Chapterof the Student African-AmericanBrotherhood (SAAB)Macon State’s SAAB focuses on therecruitment, retention and graduationof African-American and Latino malestudents. The goals of the chapter areto identify factors influencing retention,provide opportunities for campusengagement, train peer mentors, provideprofessional development and celebratethe achievements of African-American andLatino males at Macon State.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contacts:Ms. Yolanda D. PettyDirector, Student Support ServicesProgram/Coordinator, and MinorityAdvising Program/Staff Advisor, Men ofDistinction (MOD)Macon State College100 College Station DriveMacon, GA 31206-5145yolanda.petty@maconstate.edu(478) 471-5356Mr. Kevin JohnsonGuidance Specialist, Student SupportServices Program/Staff Advisor, Men ofDistinction (MOD)100 College Station DriveMacon, GA 31206-5145Kevin.johnson1@maconstate.edu478-471-5356Middle Georgia CollegeAfrican American Male InitiativeThis program supports and encouragesacademic success through positiveinteraction with faculty, staff andcommunity mentors. AAMI providesstudents with opportunities to takeresponsibility for learning, buildingrelationships and enhance their selfrespect.AAMI offers various workshops,tutoring services, counseling, communityservice opportunities and a wide range ofacademic, social and cultural activities.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contact:Ms. Crystal Allen-JoynerMulticultural Affairs Coordinator andAfrican-American Male Initiative DirectorMiddle Georgia College1100 Second St., SECochran, GA 31014-1599callenjoyner@mgc.edu(478) 934-3376South Georgia College*South Georgia College SAAB (B2B)This is a culturally sensitive organizationthat aims to increase the number ofAfrican-American and Latino males whograduate from college by creating apositive peer community. This programhas weekly meetings and the membersvolunteer at a local community center.Academic Levels Served:College Freshmen and SophomoresProgram Contact:Mr. Jerry OliverCoordinator of Student ActivitiesSouth Georgia College100 West College Park DriveDouglas, GA 31533-5098jerry.oliver@sgc.edu.(912) 260-4417Southern Polytechnic StateUniversityProject MENtorshipProgressive MENtorship is a concentratedsummer bridge program that promotesretention and graduation among African-American male freshmen. Beyond thesummer bridge program, students participatein various activities throughout theirmatriculation, including tutoring, workshops,community service and mentoring.Academic Levels Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contact:Dr. Jeffrey OrrATTIC DirectorSouthern Polytechnic State University1100 South Marietta ParkwayBuilding A – Suite 160Marietta, GA 30060-2896jorr@spsu.edu(678) 915-7361University of West GeorgiaAfrican-American Male InitiativeLearning CommunityThe African-American Male InitiativeLearning Community helps incomingAfrican-American male freshmen adjustacademically and socially to college. Duringtheir first year, students attend classes andstudy together. Their academic progress ismonitored by the program coordinator.Special programming is provided tosupport successful transition from highschool to college.Academic Level Served:Incoming College FreshmenBlack Men Encouraging Success TodayBlack Men Encouraging Success Today(BEST) encourages retention, progressionand graduation of African-Americanmales. Through educational and socialprogramming, BEST helps improve chancesof success for Black men and othersby promoting academic achievement,personal, social and vocationaldevelopment by exposing members toopportunities at UWG and beyond.Academic Level Served:All Undergraduate LevelsBlack Men With InitiativeBlack Men With Initiative (BMWI) wasinstituted in Fall 2002 to develop culturallyaware, academically strong, communitymindedand spiritually grounded African-American male 21st century leaders.Academic Level Served:All Undergraduate LevelsProgram Contact:Ms. Cheryl Thomas HillCoordinator, African-American MaleInitiative ProgramUniversity of West GeorgiaCenter for Diversity & InclusionRow Hall 219, East Wing1601 Maple StreetCarrollton, GA 30118cthill@westga.edu(678) 839-5941Waycross CollegeMinority Advising ProgramThe Minority Advising Program offers allminority students unique support, enablingthem to attend programming to helpthem acclimate to college. Furthermore,students have the opportunity to receiveindividualized advising from the MAPadvisor. Concerted efforts to increaseparticipation of African-American malestudents are under way.Academic Level Served:College Freshmen and SophomoresProgram Contacts:Ms. Amanda ThompsonMAP AdvisorWaycross College2001 South Georgia ParkwayWaycross, GA 31503athompson@waycross.edu(912) 449-7550Ms. Sharon KomaneckyDirector of Student Support ServicesWaycross College2001 South Georgia ParkwayWaycross, GA 31503skomanecky@waycross.edu(912) 449-759714 15

The University System of Georgia’sAfrican-American Male Initiative“Creating A More Educated Georgia”“Creating a More Educated Georgia”www.usg.edu/aamiThe University System of Georgia’sAfrican-American Male InitiativePhone: (770) 423-6350Arlethia Perry-JohnsonProject Directoraperryjo@kennesaw.eduBob WiseAssistant Project Directorhwise@kennesaw.eduSharon R. DuhartResearch Associatesduhart2@kennesaw.eduThe University System of Georgia’s African-American Male Initiative is headquartered at Kennesaw State University.1000 Chastain Rd • MD 0109 • Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591