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Hernando Today

PHCC Program Mentors African American Students

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

By JESSICA BLAIR
The Suncoast News

NEW PORT RICHEY - Students at Pasco-Hernando Community College are now getting the opportunity to have a one-on-one relationship with faculty and staff members as their mentors to help them stay in school.

The new mentoring program, which targets African American students, was introduced this fall, with 18 students participating.

Although the program is open to all PHCC students, nationwide there is a retention crisis among African American students.

According to a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, it revealed that the number of African Americans who actually persist through completion at U.S. community colleges is far lower than the numbers admitted.

The IPEDS study revealed black, non-Hispanics had a 27 percent graduation rate, the lowest of all ethnic groups.

PHCC with its four sprawling campuses across two counties wanted to do something about the retention rate, and has.

The program, which includes weekly meetings of 20 to 30 minutes, for the first 10 weeks of the student's enrollment, gives students the opportunity to learn about campus resources, majors, and career-related information while establishing a more personal relationship with someone from the college.

"I was fortunate to have nurturing and caring people who informally mentored me during the various stages of my development," said Imani Asukile, PHCC district coordinator for equity.

"Mentoring is my payment to society for a wholesome life. It doesn't cost me anything to share my wisdom and a few life experiences with a student," he says.

The college recently held a luncheon for the faculty, staff mentors and student receiving mentoring help for the progress they've made so far.

"I really look forward to the mentoring meetings each week," says Bob Bade, PHCC associate dean of student activities and engagement.

"I know it has already made a significant and positive difference for my mentee and that is the biggest reward I could have asked for by becoming involved in the program," he stresses.

Next, PHCC will present the mentoring program at the annual Black, Brown & College Bound Summit, which will be Nov. 28, 29 and 30 at Hillsborough Community College. PHCC is a co-sponsor of the summit along with nine other state community colleges.

In its second year, the summit will address the challenges that black and brown males encounter at the college level.

For additional information about the mentoring program contact Imani Asukile at 352-518-1235 or asukili@phcc.edu.

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