Program Launched to Help Minority Men Succeed in College
Brandon Gibson has many strong male role models in his life. His father, his uncles and others have helped to shape his beliefs and character. “I have a lot of men who taught me the do’s and don’ts of life,” he says. “My uncle has guided me and taught me how to carry myself. My dad taught me a lot about finances. I feel like it’s put me ahead of my peers.”
The Plantation resident is getting his associate’s degree in Information Technology at Broward College. The 19-year-old wants to share his life’s positive experiences and knowledge by mentoring younger black men. “I don’t believe in keeping knowledge to myself. I want younger men to excel and go further.”
Gibson is participating in the Minority Male Initiative at Broward College. The program seeks to address equity by closing achievement gaps and providing sustained support for underserved students. Despite having college and career aspirations equal to those of their white counterparts, research studies show nationwide, many young men of color face significant barriers in attaining these academic and professional goals.
In 2017, Broward College ranked second in the nation for the number of associate degrees conferred to African Americans and fifth in the nation for the number of associate degrees conferred to Hispanic students. ‘We are very proud of the success that Broward College has regarding minority males,” says Dr. Thomas Walker, associate dean Academic Affairs. “We understand we must continue to support these students to attain their associate degrees.”
The Minority Male Initiative aligns with the latest strategic plan released by the College in 2017, specifically the area of “Succeed which includes the use of different strategies to ultimately improve student success.
There are four key strategies for supporting the minority male initiative:
- Professional development and training for the faculty and staff to increase learning, improve communication, and cultural sensitivity awareness.
- Develop a pipeline of minority males who will choose Broward College for their post-secondary education
- Promote career exploration, resilience, and success.
- Use mentorship to improve minority males’ sense of academic and social integration at Broward College
Special Events and Activities
Professional Development
On February 6, at 12:30 pm a professional development series highlighting evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes for the underserved population in community colleges will be held on Central Campus in Building 1008, Room 105.
“We have national presenters attending that deal with men of color in community colleges,” says Dr. Walker. “There will be a track for faculty as well as a track for our colleagues in student services.” This series features four 75-minute workshops:
- Men of Color in Community Colleges: An Overview of Research and Trends
- Unconscious Bias
- Teaching Men of Color in Community Colleges
- Counseling and Advising Men of Color in Community Colleges
Register online – BCMMI.EVENTBRITE.COM
Future Leaders Success Conference
On Saturday, April 14 Junior Achievement hosts a Future Leaders Success Conference. The goal is to give high school and college minority male students skills that will help their academic and personal success. The annual event brings together community stakeholders with the common goal of improving minority male outcomes. This year, the conference will feature Dr. Marc Lamont Hill.
Mentorship
This summer, Broward College, in partnership with Broward County Public School’s Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders and the of Excellence program, hosts a three-week leadership institute for 40 high school minority male students (grades 10-12). Students will participate in a summer experience that will prepare them for education and life success. They will also have the opportunity to earn three college credits.
Community Engagement
There is another component to involve members of the community. “We will have leadership lunches with executives,” says Dr. Walker. “We added this after some of our participants said they don’t see men like them in positions of power.” For all involved, it’s an opportunity to teach and learn simultaneously.”
For more information or to participate in the program, contact Dr. Thomas Walker, interim associate dean, Academic Affairs – [email protected]
Pursue your academic goals at Broward College and watch a world of possibilities open for you. Visit us at www.broward.edu.
From Broward College Student to Associate Vice President- Karen Lee Murphy
When it comes to Broward College, Karen Lee Murphy is a wealth of knowledge. In her demanding role as associate vice president of Academic Affairs and College Registrar, she moves from campus to campus nearly every day, attending committee meetings and working collaboratively with several departments. Murphy is responsible for student registration scheduling and record-keeping. She also ensures that the College complies with regulations of privacy when handling student information.
Her position is important but what makes Murphy so interesting is the journey that got her here. She joined the College as an international student from Jamaica in January 1989— the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship. Just two months after arriving on the Judson A. Samuels South campus, she began working in the Experiential Learning department. Two years later, she transferred to the downtown campus, working part-time in the Registrar’s office, focusing on international students. “It was interesting as I moved around the office, to learn the different aspects of student records, how we process incoming and outgoing transcripts,” says Murphy. “I became fascinated with all of it, and now I lead it, so my journey has come full circle.”
The journey hasn’t always been easy. Murphy completed her Associate of Arts degree at Broward College and earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University. After graduation, she began working full-time at Broward College as an administrative assistant to the Associate Registrar. From there, she attended graduate school at Florida Atlantic University for a master’s degree in Public Administration. “I worked full time, I went to school full time, and I had a young family,” she says. “My daughter was not even a year old when I started grad school. It was challenging. I had to learn to balance and juggle all facets of my life. I had a lot of help from my husband, my parents, and my in-laws.”
Murphy says her favorite part of her job is graduation. “My love for students walking across that stage, celebrating their accomplishment, is second to none,” she says. “To see the students celebrating with their families, known they’ve gone through the ups and downs of enrolling in school, while life is happening—that’s what I love!”
Murphy is pleasantly surprised when reminded that next year will be her thirtieth at the College. “I’m only 36!” she jokes. Those years of experience and the various roles she has worked in have given her a 360-degree view of student life. She has no regrets for starting her academic pursuits at Broward College and thinks it has fully prepared her for her role.
She prides herself on using all of that knowledge to help solve problems. “I always look for solutions for the betterment of our students. When I find a pocket, and there’s a gap, I look for ways to close that gap.” Murphy looks forward to the challenges and changes the future will bring – saying adapting to change is a part of her job as Registrar. “I think my journey prepared me and it was the best teacher. I’m still learning.”
Pursue your academic goals at Broward College and watch a world of possibilities open for you. Visit us at www.broward.edu.
If you’re already enrolled, learn more about the services offered by the Registrar (http://www.broward.edu/academics/registrar/Pages/default.aspx)