The President’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion at SUNY Broome Community College, in partnership with SUNY’s office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, is very excited to offer a wonderful opportunity for male students of color to participate in the first Men of Excellence program designed to support minority male students academically, socially, personally, and professionally.
Black Muslim minister and human rights activist, Malcolm X once said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” In the spirit of that profound statement and in recognizing the historical and contemporary importance of higher education for minorities, we encourage male students of color to take advantage of this opportunity at SUNY Broome by moving in early to the Student Village, meeting faculty/staff, bonding with peers, becoming acclimated to campus resources, receiving academic supplies and a chance to win a book voucher and much more!
The year-long program will be initiated with a kick-off conference between Thursday, August 25 and Friday, August 26, 2016. This Men of Excellence conference is designed to equip SUNY Broome’s male students of color with the tools they need for academic success as well as provide them a vital opportunity to personally connect with peers and faculty/staff who will commit to providing them with ongoing guidance and support. Recognizing that minority male students disproportionately experience institutional barriers that lead to gaps in their academic achievement, this conference initiates a year-long program designed to assist and support SUNY Broome’s male students of color. We have planned various workshops specific to their needs (e.g., identity development, student success resources, etc.) and will have guest speakers who are committed to minority male college student success. Among the primary goals of the conference are those to have student participants understand:
- Why they choose to attend college and specifically, what benefits they should expect
- The difference between high school and college
- What they should hope to get from the college experience at SUNY Broome
- Successful behavior and etiquette in the higher education settings
- Academic expectations and what is required to be a male scholar of color?
- That they should commit to completion
This first exciting opportunity will be held between August 25 and 26 on SUNY Broome’s campus. It is important to note that this event is of no cost to student participants, who are expected to arrive between 11:30am and 4:30pm, Thursday, August 25. The Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer of the entire SUNY system, Dr. Carlos Medina PhD, will attend and deliver the key-note address on Friday, 8/26.
Students who commit to this program will take their first step in not only becoming successful college graduates but also, scholar-leaders, who WEB Dubois described as “exceptional men” – those professionals capable of improving the quality of life for all.
If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about this initiative, please contact the program organizers:
Venessa Rodriguez, Staff Associate to the Associate Vice President for Learning Assistance Services Student Success<
Squad and Co-Chair of President’s Task Force on Diversity & Inclusion
Phone: +1 (607) 778-5234
Email: rodriguezvl1@sunybroome.edu
Jarvis McCowin, Residence Director, President’s Task Force on Diversity & Inclusion Member
Phone: +1 (607) 778- 5525
Email: mccowinja@sunybroome.edu
Scott Corley, Associate Professor, Department of History, Philosophy, Social Sciences and Co-Chair of President’s Task
Force on Diversity & Inclusion and Chair of the Civic Engagement Board
Phone: +1 (607) 778-5093
Email: corleysa@sunybroome.edu