Central Carolina Technical College has joined the Minority Male Community College Collaboartive (M2C3) National Consortium on College Men of Color. Participation in the consortium “will enhance CCTC’s commitment to improving the success of underrepresented and underserved students, including men of color,” said Director of Public Relations Becky Rickenbaker.
Despite programs designed to enhance outcomes for men of color, only 17 percent and 15 percent of U.S. black and Latino men, respectively earn a certificate, degree or transfer from a community college to a four-year institution during a six year period.
“Figures for men from other ethnic groups (e.g., Native American, Southeast Asian) also indicate an insurmountable need for improvement,” Rickenbaker noted. “To combat this achievement gap, the M2C3 Consortium facilitates an exchange of ideas between community colleges across the nation on how best to serve men of color in our educational institutions.”
She said community colleges convene to share their efforts and learn about new strategies for enhancing the success of men of color.
“CCTC‘s engagement in M2C3 will enhance professional development for faculty and staff, enable informed interventions for our current programs serving men of color and inspire new initiatives addressing challenges facing these men,” Rickenbaker noted.
As an M2C3 member, CCTC will have access to M2C3 webinars, a virtual discussion board, information-sharing on promising practices with other community colleges and an annual working group meeting hosted in San Diego, California.
“This innovative group of college leaders will be instrumental in implementing cutting-edge practices and policies to address the achievement gap facing underrepresented men,” said M2C3 co-director Dr. J. Luke Wood.
Launched in February 2015, the M2C3 has already seen much success in information-sharing between community colleges. An average of more than 1,000 consortium members participates in each webinar.
“It is inspiring to see educators collaborate and openly share innovative ideas for serving men of color,” said co-director Frank Harris III. “We look forward to the future of M2C3 and the future success of men of color.”
