Minority male mentoring program to become more inclusive, proactive

South Piedmont Community College’s minority male mentoring program is undergoing some changes – and it will no longer be just for minorities or males.

Even though the revitalized program is just getting off the ground, the concept is already drawing interest from other community colleges. Program director Serena Johnson and program coordinator Jonathan Klish presented SPCC’s plan to 43 community colleges last month in Durham and have already received calls from other schools requesting assistance with their programs.

Previously known as IMPACT, the program will transform into a multi-faceted student support initiative. Under the former model, IMPACT was a club that recruited students and most services were delivered during weekly meetings. Club advisors found that the challenges many students face – two campuses 26 miles apart, lack of public transportation in Union and Anson counties, competing adult demands and many classes being taken online – all inhibited participation.

Club advisors hope to increase student participation by rebranding the program. In its new incarnation, the multi-cultural club will be race and gender inclusive instead of just for minority males. With the help of mentors and staff, members will cultivate the development of peer support systems. The primary emphasis will be on campus tours, leadership development, personal enrichment, and recreation and fun.

With the help of faculty, an early alert system will be developed to prevent struggling students from falling so far behind that they cannot recover. Instructors will be on the lookout for excessive absences, poor in-class participation, missed assignments, low grades, and behavioral and disciplinary issues.

The club will also employ something known as Active Outreach Advising – Case Management. The school will take the initiative to reach out to students, especially at critical junctures throughout the semester. All minority male students will be screened for potential intervention. Helping relationships will be built through ongoing contact and students will receive help exploring services and programs that foster academic success.

The transition to a multi-cultural club has already begun. The program will be fully implemented at the beginning of the fall semester.

For more information, contact program coordinator Jonathan Klish at 704-290-5839 or counselingdepartment@students.spcc.edu, or program director Serena Johnson at 704-290-5844 or sjohnson@spcc.edu.

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Media inquiries: Jim Muldrow, 704-272-5441, jmuldrow@spcc.edu