CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS for
African American Male Students
The Students’ Perspective
December, 2010
Central Piedmont Community College
Overview of Student Focus Groups
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Facilitator training provided by ATD Data
Facilitator, Dr. Ken Gonzalez, and Eva Mejia
November 15-16, 2010
African American males in their 1st semester
N = 44 students (avg. of 9 per focus group)
Trained facilitators: Meg Austin, Marcia Colson,
Percell Hobbs, Pat McDaniel and Tracy Moore
The Challenges
Transitioning to
College
Studying
Self Esteem
Time Mgt.
Peer Pressure
Stereotypes/Cultural
Differences
Personal/Family
Issues
Registering for
Classes
Lack of AA Male
Instructors
Finances
Communication
with Teachers
Academic Advising
Legend:
 Blue Boxes = 4 out of 5 Focus Group Responses
 Orange Boxes = 3 out of 5 Focus Group Responses
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Transitioning to College
(not being prepared, workload, returning to school after an extended period, lack of knowledge re: available resources, setback of placement
test/developmental course requirements, basic computer knowledge/skills, adapting to a new environment)
What Students Can Do
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Put pressure on HS
Counselors
Put pressure on
self/pay attention
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Take refresher courses
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Utilize family resources
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Stay abreast of current
issues
Study
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Set Goals
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Provide more
innovative courses
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Go to school right
away
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What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
Read anything and
everything
Ask librarians for help
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Communicate with HS
Counselors
Provide more
orientation/make
orientation
mandatory
What Currently Works
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Cato Middle College
Summer Bridge
Program
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TRIO Courses
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Short term programs
Prep course for
Placement Test
Offer more prep
course
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Provide an automatic
handout to every new
student
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CPCC Website
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ACA Classes
Put the responsibility
back on the students
Remove the Placement
Test
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Transitioning to College Cont’d
What Students Can Do
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What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
Utilize the counselors
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Study for the Placement
Test
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Find/take free basic
computer courses
Be respectful of
security
Don’t get caught up
with the crowd/hype
Stay to yourself
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Offer free basic
computer skills courses
Make basic computer
skills courses required
in HS
Make basic computer
skills courses a prerequisite
Post class notices
about security
What Currently Works
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Time Management
(balancing work, family and school, finding time to study, meeting the schoolwork demands, getting the work completed on time, getting to class
on time, staying focused)
What Students Can Do
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Prioritize
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Plan ahead
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Adjust schedule
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Gauge what classes
are harder
Study/ set a study time
schedule
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Get to classes early
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Prepare for stress
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Know your limits/ don’t
take on too much at
one time
Tell teacher what’s
going on
Find a study
partner/group
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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Make time in classes for
questions and
homework
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Allow students to be 510 minutes late
Extend class times
Explain rules about
going to class and
consequences on being
late/missing class
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Require a mandatory
study hall
Provide access for
students to take a
computer home
Don’t allow students to
take too many classes
their first semester
Offer daycare
Offer more jobs on
campus
Leave labs open
longer with more lab
techs
Offer reminders
What Currently Works
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You can make your
own schedule
Schedule of classes
Night sessions, short
sessions, online
sessions
Emails
Some teachers
understanding if
student is late
Mentoring program
Family Resource
Center
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Time Management Cont’d
What Students Can Do
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Always check your
email
Got to bed early/ get
up for class on time
Don’t plan anything
extra
Sacrifice spending time
with friends
Set a “go to class”
alarm” on your phone
Write various schedules
down to see how they
all fit together
Discipline yourself
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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Offer time
management courses
Don’t offer classes
before 10:00 am
What Currently Works
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Peer Pressures
(hanging out with friends not going to school/ being ridiculed, hanging out with friends instead of going to class, challenges with women –
more variety/options, doing drugs,)
What Students Can Do
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Make the right choices
Associate with friends
interested in going to
class
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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N/A
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Create activities
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Security
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Offer counseling
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Easy registration
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Teachers
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Pray
Be in control of your
own destiny
Change friends
Be encouraging to
other students
Stay focused
Have a mind of your
own/know what’s
important
Cut away bad
influences/feel
comfortable leaving
old friends
What Currently Works
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Offer more academic
incentives (i.e.
scholarships)
Offer mentoring
programs
Create opportunities
to make friends with
same goals
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Stereotypes/Cultural Differences
(instructors understanding perspective of AA Male, perceptions about appearance, hairstyles and dress, lack of awareness of Black Student
Association and links to AA Fraternities for transfer students, trust between AA Males and other races, challenges with discrimination, being
misidentified as an AA Male)
What Students Can Do
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Stay open minded
Recognize that
everyone can’t teach
Don’t take everything
personally
Go to internet and find
out more information
about Black student
groups and fraternities
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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N/A
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Attend meetings
Tell associations to
advertise
Open your mind and
read more
Prove stereotypes
wrong and make A’s
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Educate instructors
Advertise info. about
Black student groups
What Currently Works
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Offer forums
Enforce zero
tolerance
Enforce a dress code
Come out of your
offices and address
students directly
Let students know they
are not being
stereotyped
Have “harmony”
cookouts
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3MP
Security and staff
advising about
proper dress code
CPCC is a diverse
place to be
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Stereotypes/Cultural Differences Cont’d
What Students Can Do
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Be humble
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Have self respect
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Don’t wear clothes too
large/pull up your
pants/dress for success
Don’t let the words of
others bother you
Live and let live/ be
yourself/don’t act fake
Know your environment
and act appropriately
Address the situation
immediately
Get involved/join
organizations
What Instructors Can Do
What CPCC Can Do
What Currently Works
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Studying
(too much schoolwork, lack of effort, how to study and take notes, recalling previously learned information,
for class)
What Students Can Do
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Get over it; this is
college
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Stop procrastinating
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Take ACA courses
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Be an auditory notetaker
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Don’t overload yourself
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Manage your time
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Find tutors
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Bring a tape recorder
Find a study
partner/seek help
Match up with an “A”
student
Study/do homework
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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Give criteria for
assignments upfront
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Encourage more study
groups
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Use more visual
learning in the
classroom
Talk to students – find
out about their
challenges
Minimize workload
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Require mandatory
study halls
Provide better tutors
Having something in
place to support
students waiting on
financial aid
Offer services to
sponsor materials and
scholarships
coming prepared
What Currently Works
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Tutors
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ACA classes
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Academic Learning
Center
Caring teachers
Financial aid allows
students to get books
and materials for
class
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Studying Cont’d
What Students Can Do
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Know your priorities
Stay focused in
class/come prepared
to learn
Be respectful of your
teachers
Sit in front of the class
Sit away from your
peers
Complete homework
daily
Sign up for classes you
can focus on
Have the right mindset
Have the right class
materials
What Instructors Can Do
What CPCC Can Do
What Currently Works
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Registering for Classes
(class accessibility/classes filling up, understanding curriculum pre-requisites, registration, not getting into classes you need, finding out who your
advisor /academic counselor is, understanding short sessions)
What Students Can Do
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Know registration dates
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Know payment dates
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Register on time
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Get involved on
campus
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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N/A
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Register by the end of
the current school year
Study for the placement
test
Seek out your
academic advisor
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Ask questions
Speak with someone in
person
Bring necessary
paperwork
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Offer more class
options
Make the website
easier
Provide students with
a printout showing
what
classes/sequence is
needed once they
select a major
Simplify registration
Recruit students
earlier in HS
Publish registration
steps for people that
have been out of
school in a while
What Currently Works
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Available information
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Early registration
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Self Esteem
(the environment and changing lifestyle, fear of failing, lack of motivation, don’t feel like you are putting your best foot forward, finding
yourself, too much pride to ask questions)
What Students Can Do
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Adapt to the
environment/don’t
bring the “hood” with
you
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Try
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Find support
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Add humor
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Stay motivated
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Hang out with confident
people
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Be grateful
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Believe in yourself
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Ask for help
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Grow up
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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Offer reassurance
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Encourage students to
ask questions
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Offer rewards
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Give grades for
participation
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Offer more counseling
Develop a merit
system
Offer course on selfesteem
Offer group talks
What Currently Works
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Male mentoring
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Study groups
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Field trips
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Counseling
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Academic Advising
(challenges with navigating the system, knowing how to get the ball rolling, transcript evaluation process, lack of counseling, lack of support
from faculty advisors)
What Students Can Do
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Seek out an advisor
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Read/do your research
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Ask questions
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Follow the steps
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Transcript evaluations:
do it ahead of time,
fight for classes you
already have, do your
own research
Get name and number
of counselor
Take initiative/reach
out for help/be
persistent
Don’t rely on 1
counselor
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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N/A
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Make sure right
department evaluates
your transcript
Fire certain
counselors/hold them
accountable
What Currently Works
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Advisors
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Academic Advising
(challenges with navigating the system, knowing how to get the ball rolling, transcript evaluation process, lack of counseling, lack of support
from faculty advisors, deciding what major to go into, lack of course advisement)
What Students Can Do
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Have a back up plan
Keep your mind open
to other options/ don’t
put all your eggs in one
basket
Be true to
yourself/decide what
you want to do
Know how long you
want to stay in school
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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Do your own research
Find someone you can
confide in
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Make sure right
department evaluates
your transcript
Fire certain
counselors/hire more
qualified advisors
Provide more
information about
majors
Provide tests re: skills
and personalities
Make advising
mandatory
Train and hold
advisors accountable
What Currently Works
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Finances
(personal issues – paying for food and living expenses, college expenses – paying for tuition, books and transportation, unemployment/loss of
benefits. bankruptcy, having to leave classes to go to work, lack of employment due to criminal record, homelessness, F.A. paperwork process,
time it takes to receive F.A. refund checks)
What Students Can Do
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Prepare a budget
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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N/A
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Manage your
finances/spend wisely
Offer budget and
financial management
classes
Provide better job
leads
Shop for low rate
school loans
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Plan ahead/do your
research
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Look for work study
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Offer stipends
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Stay motivated
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Give everyone F.A.
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Start with less classes
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Offer lunch cards
Find a job willing to
work around your class
schedule
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Eat breakfast at home
and pack a lunch
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Release F.A. funds
earlier
Change the F.A.
refund process (send
refunds sooner)
Provide work study
Allow Higher One
card to pay for food
What Currently Works
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Availability of F.A.
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Tuition payment plan
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This Focus Group
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Internet application
(F.A.?)
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Finances Cont’d
What Students Can Do
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Try and save money
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Look for scholarships
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Look for grants
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Look for F.A.
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Get counseling
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Try to expunge criminal
record
Speak with elected
politicians
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Persevere
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Attend job/career fairs
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Ask for help on filling
out F.A. forms
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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Decrease paperwork
for F.A.
Meet with students
earlier
Involve parents
Hold staff
accountable
What Currently Works
Overcoming the Challenges of African American Male Students
Communication with Teachers
(two-way communication between teachers and students, communication regarding attendance policies, teachers coming late to class, teachers
being unprepared for class, teachers sending emails late for class assignments, not being told about resources and academic options (i.e. short
sessions)
What Students Can Do
What CPCC Can Do
What Instructors Can Do
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Be friendly
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Ask questions
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Respect others
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Be aware of
attendance policies
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Be patient
Study in class until the
teacher arrives
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Use email
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Stay on teachers
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Meet with teachers
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Seek out an academic
advisor
Seek out more than one
academic advisor
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Insert Instructor-related
Changes Here
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Hold teachers
accountable
Add staff
Make it mandatory
that all employees tell
all students everything
that’s available to
them via pamphlets
What Currently Works
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CPCC email
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Tutoring
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Counselors
Next Steps:
Moving from Data to Strategies
Action Grid: Moving From Data to Strategies
Common
Challenges
identified by
African
American males
in their first
semester
Groups that
Need to
DISCUSS the
Common
Challenge
Groups
EMPOWERED
to address the
Common
Challenge
1. Transitioning
to College
- Identify
groups and
date for
data
presentation
/discussion.
- Identify the
groups that will
have the
authority &
responsibility to
address the
common
challenges.
2. Time Mgt.
3. Peer
Pressure
4. Stereotypes/
Cultural
Differences
How will the Common Challenges be
Addressed?
Teaching
Change/
Enhancement
Policy
Change
Student
Support
Change/
Enhancement
Implementation
Timeline
Evaluation
Plan
Action Grid: Moving From Data to Strategies
Common
Challenges
identified by
African American
males in their first
semester
5. Studying
6. Registering for
Classes
7. Self Esteem
8. Academic
Advising
Groups that
Need to
DISCUSS the
Common
Challenge
- Identify
groups and
date for data
presentation/
discussion.
Groups
EMPOWERED to
address the
Common
Challenge
- Identify the
groups that will
have the
authority &
responsibility to
address the
common
challenges.
How will the Common Challenges be Addressed?
Teaching
Change/
Enhancement
Policy
Change
Student Support
Change/
Enhancement
Implementation
Timeline
Evaluation
Plan
Action Grid: Moving From Data to Strategies
Common
Challenges
identified by
African American
males in their first
semester
9. Finances
10.
Communication
with Teachers
Groups that
Need to
DISCUSS the
Common
Challenge
- Identify
groups and
date for data
presentation/
discussion.
Groups
EMPOWERED to
address the
Common
Challenge
- Identify the
groups that will
have the
authority &
responsibility to
address the
common
challenges.
How will the Common Challenges be Addressed?
Teaching
Change/
Enhancement
Policy
Change
Student Support
Change/
Enhancement
Implementation
Timeline
Evaluation
Plan
Questions or comments?
Thank you for your time!