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| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: April 19, 2005 | (919) 807-6963 |
Community College System to host Minority Male Mentoring conference in High Point
Hundreds to gather to share best practices
RALEIGH: Michael Spriggs is a young, black man with a plan. He saw his local community college as the vehicle to achieve his goals, but found he needed some help to stay on track. The 18 year-old student is enrolled at Wayne Community College and in the Minority Male Mentoring Project there. This week he will receive a $500 scholarship from Sallie Mae, Incorporated to help him attain his goal. The presentation takes place at the Minority Male Mentoring Project Best Practices Conference at the Radisson Hotel in High Point, NC. The conference begins on Thursday, April 21 and ends on Saturday, April 23.
Michael Spriggs |
Spriggs is the winner of the
essay contest sponsored by Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading provider of
education funding. In his essay he told how participation in Wayne CC’s
Minority Male Mentoring Group (3MG) affected his life and helped him focus
and stay in school.
"In order to be successful, one must be disciplined," says Spriggs. "Sometimes you find yourself way off track, especially when you are away from home, out of high school thinking you can handle the pressures of the world on your own…3MG has taught me how to prioritize. I seek to understand, and then to be understood." |
The scholarship presentation is one of many activities that are a part of the three-day conference. Presenters from the participating community colleges, similar mentoring projects outside North Carolina, and other education agencies will share information designed to advance the 3M mission: to increase graduation and retention rates among minority male students in the North Carolina Community College System.
This is the second year of the 3M project, which is funded by the Governor’s Crime Commission. Program participants attend retreats, community service activities, personal growth workshops, drug and substance abuse education, and spend quality time with faculty mentors. They serve as role models for other students and in the community.
Statistics show that of African Americans in college, 65 percent are women. NCCCS President Martin Lancaster says this program is about improving the odds and getting more black males in community colleges and keeping them enrolled.
"This program is about giving minority males what they need to inspire them to succeed," said Lancaster. "This is a good start that will have long-term impact."
The impact is already apparent. Some former participants are already accepted to or enrolled in four-year institutions. Others, like Michael Spriggs, plan to go into business. All of them say the project has given them hope and provided valuable camaraderie with others.
Pam Little, Associate Director of Student Services at the North Carolina Community College System, organized the conference. She says she wants the best practices to lead to positive results across the state.
"I hope everyone attending the conference will find it offers guidance on how to assist minority males on their campuses," said Little. "Even if they don’t have Crime Commission funding, attendees will find practices to replicate that should only take time and a commitment. They will have learned something important that they will take back to their campuses, their classrooms, and their businesses."
Almost 200 individuals are registered for the conference. There are registrants from 55 of the 58 community colleges in the System, six public schools, and several city and county agencies and businesses.
For more information about the conference or the Minority Male Mentoring Project, contact Pam Little at littlep@nccommunitycolleges.edu. (919) 807-7106, office, (919) 349-4861, cell.
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