The Compact for Academic Excellence:

							The Compact for Academic
Excellence:
A Targeted African American Male
Retention Initiative
The Vision 2015

• African American male
  students will consistently
  demonstrate a commitment to
  academic excellence evidenced
  by enhanced graduation and
  retention rates, and greater
  satisfaction with the college
  experience.
The Need
Program Objectives
• Increase the six-year graduate
  rate of African American males
  to 40%
• Increase the first, second and
  third-year retention rates of
  African American males
• Develop strategic outreach
  efforts to African American
  males in grades 7-12.
The Plan: Phase I - Outreach
• Develop an effective system of
  outreach to students in grades
  7-12
  – Develop Partners in Excellence
    agreements with Blytheville,
    Osceola, West Memphis and
    Forrest City High Schools
  – Establish Summer Camps in the
    areas of Math, Reading, Science
    and Business/Entrepreneurship
The Plan: Phase II – Campus
Preparation
• Develop a two-week “bridge” program
  prior to first semester

• Areas of emphasis:
   – Campus operations and
     procedures
   – Meet faculty and staff
   – Assignment of Mentors
   – Assessment of Abilities
   – Schedule Evaluation
   – Academic Workshops
The Plan: Phase III
• Develop a Center for Academic
  Excellence for Freshmen Students
   – Sole Purpose is to enhance the academic
     success of African American male
     students


• Hire a program coordinator, two
  academic advisors, and two
  graduate assistants
The Plan: Phase III

• Programmatic Functions

  – Scheduling and Advising
  – Monitoring Student Progress
  – Implement Academic Success
    Workshops
  – Develop Tutoring Programs
The Plan: Phase III

• Programmatic Functions Con’t

  – Mentoring Programs
  – Peer Big Brother, Big Sister
    Program
  – Social and Personal/Professional
    Development Activities
  – Residence Hall Initiatives
Expected Results

• Graduation rates for African
  American males equal to those
  of general student body;
• Retention rates equal to those
  of the general student body;
• Increased satisfaction with the
  college experience