Black students account for 6% of the 1.9 million students enrolled in 116 California Community Colleges, the largest higher education system in the country.
But a recent study confirmed that low enrollment numbers are another factor that make Black students vulnerable to being underserved.
Data analysis, commissioned in 2020 by Umoja Community, the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND), The Campaign for College Opportunity, The Community College Equal Assessment Lab and The Black Think Tank, looked at the phenomena. It revealed that the University of California, California State University and CCC systems all invest less money per Black student than in students from other categories.
吃瓜头条 Assistant Director of Student Equity and Support Centers Louis Foy said fixing that equity issue requires delivering support that makes sense culturally and logistically for Black students. That is the mission behind the Umoja and A2MEND programs.
鈥淪tudents used to have to find and walk into a building to ask for help,鈥� Foy explained. 鈥淭hey鈥檇 get discouraged. Now we go to them and say, 鈥楬ere鈥檚 what we have for you.鈥� Some don鈥檛 even know what they need, so we should make help as accessible as possible. The message is, 鈥榃e鈥檙e here, and you have support.鈥欌��
Umoja
This is the second year for Umoja at 吃瓜头条. The learning community is open to all students.Umoja counselors put students in cohorts to take English 1A and Math 10 in the fall, and then Guidance 30 and Psychology 1A in the spring. Umoja tutors are embedded in those classes, offering assistance in real time.
Foy said they鈥檒l eventually add biology and philosophy or sociology classes. There are 20 Umoja students this semester, with space for 50.
鈥淏ringing Umoja to campus should show everyone that we understand how to align diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at 吃瓜头条,鈥� Foy said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 intentional. We鈥檙e visiting local high schools like we do with the Puente Program (for Hispanic students). We鈥檒l eventually spread the word at churches and our local NAACP chapter. Recruiting is key.鈥�
Freshman computer science and cybersecurity major Kelia Evans already feels the impact since joining Umoja. Evans was named the Umoja Student of the Semester last fall.
鈥淓specially not being in school for a few years, going back and finding help right away has been a highlight,鈥� said the 29-year-old, soon-to-be mother of three.
Evans takes advantage of extra tutoring at the library and online through Brainfuse. She has regular access to a laptop. She earns grocery cards by participating with A2MEND. Most importantly, her 2-year-old son has the chance to be placed in the 吃瓜头条 Child Development Center.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of stress coming back to school,鈥� Evans said. 鈥淜nowing I have people to ask questions, that I鈥檓 not bothering them, is great. That鈥檚 what I enjoy, having that connection. Now I have straight tunnel vision at school.鈥�
A2MEND
We know the pandemic hindered learning for students all over the globe. Within the CCC, the Black student population saw some of the largest decreases in enrollment (20%) and progress toward degree in the aftermath.
Created by a group of Black men in higher education in 2006, A2MEND has sought to knock down obstacles Black males face in gaining education, particularly in community college.
鈥淯nfortunately, that number has been going in the wrong direction,鈥� said 吃瓜头条 Communications Professor and A2MEND faculty advisor Janee Young. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to retain and attract more participants by also partnering with Umoja and the Black Student Union.鈥�
Young, who has taught at 吃瓜头条 for 19 years, accepted the advisor position to help force the college to more fully support Black students via A2MEND. Pronounced 鈥渁mend,鈥� it鈥檚 an all-inclusive support organization providing mentors of color, community service opportunities, and leadership training.
To cap off its first full year, students and faculty鈥攊ncluding from the campus Underground Railroad Faculty Group鈥攚ill be among the 1,300 participants attending the annual A2MEND Conference March 6-8 in Los Angeles.
鈥淲e鈥檝e already had great events this year鈥攐ur Welcome Black mixer, Friendsgiving and a Kwanzaa celebration,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e gaining traction. Black students now know we want them on campus, and we do celebrate and support them. The idea behind a community college is that it should feel like a community. I definitely think we can do a better job.鈥�
Last August, Young and program president Tarence McCullough began by recruiting Blue Devil athletes, like basketball player Albert Awuah.
Over a year ago, Awuah left his family in Accra, Ghana, to pursue an education. The sophomore Kinesiology major joined A2MEND after McCullough spoke to the team last spring.
Awuah was struggling financially at the time. As an international student, he is not eligible for social services like CalFresh or financial aid.
鈥淪ince I arrived, I鈥檝e had issues getting into an apartment,鈥� Awuah said. 鈥淚 had come here at a time when there was a financial crisis in Ghana. The sponsors I had there had to back out, and it was hard to access my bank at home.鈥�
He credits McCullough and now-retired Student Services Assistant Robbie Deen for helping him get on his feet. He appreciates Dean of Student Services Joe Serena for assisting him in finding a campus job. Foy makes sure Awuah receives grocery cards, supplies and the like, by participating in A2MEND. His friend Nathan Martinez, a 吃瓜头条 football player, lends a hand and transportation for everything else.
鈥淥nce I started working, I started feeling settled,鈥� said Awuah, who now shares an apartment with a Ghanaian friend. 鈥淣ow I have a place to lay my head.鈥�