“We’re launching the Center to build a sense of belonging for all of Peirce’s male students and their families,” said Terrence Jones, Peirce’s Director of Academic Enrichment, who is leading the Center. "This Center represents an opportunity to be intentional about establishing a thriving academic community for our male-identifying students of color, and develop impactful programming to support their holistic success."

Funded by the federal Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) grant program, the Center recently launched with the start of fall courses in September 2022. Events are being held virtually and at locations across the City. The Center launches at a critical time for men in higher education. 

 

According to the Brookings Institute, college enrollment and completion rates for students who identify as male have dropped considerably over the past ten years, especially for Black and brown students.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) reports that, nationally, black men have the lowest college completion rate of any demographic group at 40%.

But research from EAB shows that Black men succeed when institutions provide intentional programming based on their histories, context, and needs. To address this, the Center will be open to all male students and their families, but with a special focus on the Black and brown student experience.

Content and programming will be scheduled every month, and will include workshops and barbershop-style discussions about topics, such as:

• Relationships
• Emotional intelligence
• Financial literacy
• Health and wellness
• Academic skill-building Social and cultural enrichment

The Center will also provide students with one-to-one support in coordination with Peirce’s tutoring services and Center for Career and Professional Development. Workshops for September include:

• The Intersection Between Hip Hop and Masculinity
• Mindfulness for Men to Win
• Managing your Finances “Like a Boss”
• Advocacy…For Me, By Me
• Black Men in Tech
• Strategies to Level Up Professionally
• Wellness Saturday Virtual Fitness Sessions

Additional programming will be determined by Center participants for the remainder of the year.

“We are thrilled to launch this new offering for our students,” said Brad Hodge, Vice President, Enrollment Management and Student Services. “We are thankful to the PBI grant program for supporting this initiative and look forward to how our students will benefit from this programming.”

 

Amanda Hill 

(215) 670-9476
amhill@peirce.edu