News

In hopes of cultivating the academic success, supporting the personal well-being, and raising the retention and graduation rates of Black male college students, a group of Black male college advisors presented the virtual webinar, “Advising Black Male Students in 2020 and Beyond,” on Wednesday, Oct. 21. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Darryl C. Cherry, Office of Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) student retention coordinator and SIUE Collegiate 100 advisor, was one of six National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) leaders who participated in the webinar sponsored by NACADA’s Inclusion and Engagement Committee. 

“Sparked by the killing of George Floyd and during a NACADA Advising First-Year Students Community steering committee meeting, I appealed to the committee for targeted, intentional support of Black male students,” said Cherry, NACADA Advising First-Year Students Community committee chair. “This appeal led to combined efforts that ultimately culminated in both the ‘Advising Black Male Students in 2020 and Beyond’ published article and the conference by the same name.” 

 More than 150 participants from institutions across the country attended the webinar in search of ways to better engage, support and matriculate Black male students. The webinar identified challenges facing Black male students, and discussed how academic advisors and advising administrators can work to improve the overall experience for Black male students, according to Cherry. 

Some suggestions for advisors included:

• Work to build a positive relationship with Black male students by establishing rapport with them. Advisors should learn developmental theory, critical theories and theories on racial and male gender identity development.  

• Be intentional, empathetic, strategic and patient when providing guidance, development and support for Black male students to help them develop a healthy work/school/life balance. 

• Purposefully engage in conversations on thoughts and feelings about the traumatic events that have occurred, and continue to occur regarding racial discrimination and police brutality against Black men in society. 

• Aim to become a co-conspirator willing and ready for action rather than just becoming an ally by only showing empathy to their plight. 

Cherry noted that SIUE is working to support Black males. “I am encouraged by the University’s efforts including Goal-Oriented African American Men Excel (GAME), African American Male Initiative (AAMI) and SIUE’s Collegiate 100. I am hopeful that SIUE will expand on its efforts.

“I am also encouraged by regional efforts such as the St. Louis Regional Consortium of Higher Education Initiatives Supporting Black Male Success’ Black Male Excellence Conference and national responses such as NACADA’s Advising Black Male Student Webinar and Luke Woods’ Black Minds Matter.” 

Photo:
Darryl C. Cherry, student retention coordinator for Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR), SIUE Collegiate 100 advisor and chair of the National Academic Advising Association Advising First-Year Students Advising Community Committee.