DECATUR, Ga.—Georgia State University’s Perimeter College has a new student success program specifically pairing Black male faculty as mentors with Black students involved in math support courses.
The Black Male Student Mentoring initiative (BMSM) will have a virtual “kick off” June 11 to introduce the new mentors, as well as the academic success coaches for the program, to the Perimeter College community.
Created by Dr. John D. King, director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Predominately Black Institutions (PBI) Project RAISE grant at the college, the initiative involves Black male faculty from all disciplines who mentor Black male students who have enrolled or have previously enrolled in math support courses.
Project RAISE director, Dr. John D. King
While Project RAISE provides academic student success coaching as part of its program, the new initiative adds support in non-academic areas, said King.
“These mentors are not tutors,” he said. “They are helping students develop non-cognitive skills, like study skills and time management,” he said.
The mentors also will provide referrals for food and housing assistance, should students need those services, he said.
“Research shows that improving students’ non-cognitive skills, such as goal setting, time management, stress management, work-life balance, cultural awareness and growth mindset can positively impact a student’s academic performance,” King said. “These mentors can have a significant effect, not only on their mentees’ academic performance, but also their personal lives and families.”
To date, 15 Black male faculty members are participating as mentors for the program. They are: Jessie Adolph, assistant professor, English; Boubacar Bah, senior lecturer, biology; John Beatty, assistant professor, mathematics; Amos Darrisaw, assistant professor, mathematics; Robert Edwards, lecturer, English; Walter Johnson, instructor, business; Johnathan Marshall, lecturer, mathematics; Dr. Clarence Massie Jr., lecturer, cultural and behavioral sciences; Jean Francois Onivogui, lecturer, history and politics; Marcus Rhymes, assistant professor, mathematics; Haazim Sabre, associate professor; mathematics; Rodney Yates Smith, lecturer, business; Mengist Teklay, assistant professor, life and earth Sciences; Nikuma Uche, instructor, business and economics, and Dr. Shawn Williams, associate professor, English and humanities.
For information about the program and the virtual open house, contact King at [email protected]