Published on Apr 28, 2017 12:30am by Richard Rezler, Public Relations
Ann Arbor, Mich. (April 27, 2017) – Washtenaw Community College has joined the National Consortium on College Men of Color (NCCMC), housed by the Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL).
The college’s participation in the NCCMC consortium will enhance its commitment to improving the success of historically underrepresented and underserved students, including men of color.
Despite programs designed to enhance outcomes for men of color, in the United States only 17% of black men and 15% of Latino men earn a certificate, degree, or transfer from a community college to a four-year institution in six years. Figures for men from other ethnic groups (e.g., Native American, Southeast Asian) also indicate an insurmountable need for improvement.
To combat this achievement gap, the NCCMC facilitates an exchange of ideas between community colleges across the nation on how best to serve men of color in educational institutions. Community colleges convene to share their efforts and learn about new strategies for enhancing the success of men of color.
WCC's engagement in the NCCMC will enhance professional development for its faculty and staff, enable informed interventions for its current programs serving men of color, and inspire new initiatives addressing challenges facing them.
Following a national search, WCC recently hired Clarence Jennings Jr. as its new Dean of Student Access, Success, Equity and Inclusion. Jennings earned a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Psychology and a master’s degree in Educational Technology and Instruction from the University of Michigan-Flint.
“We are extremely proud to be a member of this very important organization,” said WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca. “Under the leadership of Dean Jennings, we look forward to working in partnership with the NCCMC to assure men of color on our campus have the resources they need to assure a successful and productive college experience.”
“This innovative group of college leaders will be instrumental in implementing cutting-edge practices and policies to address the achievement gap facing underrepresented men,” said Dr. J. Luke Wood, co-director of CCEAL.
Launched in February 2015, the CCEAL has already seen much success in information-sharing between community colleges. An average of more than 1,000 consortium members participates in each webinar.
“It is inspiring to see educators collaborate and openly share innovative ideas for serving men of color,” said Frank Harris III, co-director of CCEAL. “We look forward to the future of CCEAL and the future success of men of color.”
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Media contact: Susan Ferraro, Director of Media Relations, 734-677-5295.