The Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MP) is a student coaching program designed to support the educational and professional aspirations of minority male students enrolled in North Carolina community colleges.   The North Carolina Community College System's (NCCCS) 3MP was established in the fall of 2003 using 6 pilot programs.   The goals of the program are higher persistence, graduation and/or transfer rates.    

To help achieve the stated goals, NCCCS through the support of the state’s General Assembly and the federal College Access Challenge Grant (U.S. DOE P378A110017), has worked closely with community colleges in improving their minority male student engagement.   Today, 46 of the state’s 58 community colleges have received sub-grants to operate 3MP student coaching programs to support student success.   All programs are consistent in their focus:  completion of developmental and curriculum courses, persistence from semester-to-semester and year-to-year, degree attainment, and/or transfer to a four-year institution.    

Contact: Daniel Alvarado at (919) 807-7106 or alvaradod@nccommunitycolleges.edu

Participating colleges are required to meet the following non-negotiable requirements:

• Provide at least one leadership position, “coach,” to coordinate the program
• Identify a cohort of students
• Provide a structured relationship between each student participant and a member of the campus community
• Provide college transfer transition workshops (along with four-year campus visitations)
• Require study skills (ACA) course during first semester
• Provide career counseling and academic advising
• Recommend students' enrollment in at least 12-credit hours per semester (with a focus on core courses)
• Provide a written academic plan
• Provide service learning opportunities each semester 

With continued disparities of educational attainment among minority males, student engagement must be everyone's responsibility.   The challenge now is to create sustainable programs and identify creative ways to address college completion that are both effective and efficient.   Long term, we need to develop an understanding of the persistence processes of minority male college students and the support strategies that can foster determination in improving their educational outcomes.    

OBJECTIVES AND DESIRED OUTCOMES

• Expand 3MP student coaching programs to all 58 community colleges
• Ensure retention programs provide wraparound services to increase college completion
• Utilize current research and produce studies that strengthen the understanding of minority male students, along with identifying best policies and practices  
• Improve 3MP student coaching programs and provide professional development for program coordinators/coaches, in order to foster supportive environments and relationships
• Identify the factors that contribute to the persistence of minority males in higher education (achievement, persistence, support)