The intersectionality of race and gender cannot be ignored when assessing how college admissions forces assimilation, eliminating the identity of black men to make them more visible to society at large. Masculinity and leadership can take many forms, and each should be celebrated and embraced for the unique opportunities and insights it offers. Everything from culture to appearance informs how you express yourself, how you are likely to be accepted and influenced. While colleges are aware of these traits and strive to help cultivate them, the idea of the Black male leader needs to be explored as it is relevant to many individuals entering college.
Dr. Hamilton Raymond
When recruiting Black men at the college level, it is paramount to consider who your role models are and find accurate role models that fit your position as a graduate professional.
Masculinity is not defined as a monolith, but admissions descriptions, presentations, and further education sources should document a variety of masculinity and leadership practices to more accurately reflect the practices of incoming students.
Educators must challenge standards and current materials as society changes to reflect unique differences, accomplishments, and successes that can help empower all who wish to succeed within these educational institutions. It is important to acknowledge that young black men have an internal locus of control that is essential for them to take responsibility for their actions. They need to feel confident and assured that they are in the process of growing to become the best they can be, or at least better than they were before, as individuals who contribute to society in a positive way. Because our current society has adopted distorted images of who black people are and who they are not, developmental changes are driven by external centers of control. Choosing to go to college rather than doing something else will help protect these young people from environmental factors that could negatively impact them.
Educators must question why these discrepancies occur, understand that these tendencies exist and are potentially widespread among young black males, and begin taking steps to embrace rather than erase the unique contributions that come from the black male demographic in particular. You should. The college admissions process should make internal, personal growth, not assimilation and blending, a top priority. As is the case for many young black men when they enter school, their past experiences in marginalized communities overwhelm their internal ability to see themselves as competent and capable of advancing beyond their respective communities' past or recent circumstances. It is up to educators who are part of the onboarding process to not only acknowledge but also combat the complexities that this juxtaposition implies and creates. No one can force anyone to see something differently, but we young black men need to be shown the possibility of still being able to think persuasively.
Dr. Harrison P. Johnson
A family's pride in seeing them attend, excel academically, and subsequently graduate from an institution of higher education carries an undeniable special incentive of its own. Many people in this particular demographic are doing so for their families and furthering their lineage into recognizable greatness and success.
Concepts that have been shown to help black people shape who they want to be have been presented in college admissions programs. Dr. Terrell Strayhorn said in a text titled: Student development theory in higher education: A social psychological approach., this concept was derived as an essential support for freshmen, young black men, to enable them to enter a completely new environment with a greater sense of self and belonging. Early forms of comfort and identity were structured around supporting and strengthening self-image and self-esteem, rather than tearing them down and replacing them with others perceived as better or less black.
For almost all of the young people selected for this onboarding experience, this is their first time leaving home. Leading the way, not only in the new college community but also in the African American community, is a top priority in building a new foundation. Relying on self-image as a common foundational concept for these young people offers the greatest potential for their success at the college level. Educators have a responsibility to meet these young people where they are and help them reach heights of success previously thought unattainable.
doctor. Hamilton Raymond is the Dean of Admissions at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Harrison P. Johnson is the registrar at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.