Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 4 of The Illinois Commitment
Male Mentoring Program
CCC - Harold Washington College
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
In Spring 2001, only 34.5 percent of men received degrees from HWC as compared to the 65.5 percent women
that received degrees. This statistic dropped even more for Spring 2005, with only 31.1 percent of men
receiving degrees; significantly lower than the 68.9 percent of women that received degrees. Moreover, the
graduation/retention rate for men at HWC, over the past 5 years has been drastically lower than that of women
(CCC, 2005). Clearly, this is an issue that must be addressed.
Essential to the mission of HWC is the goal of promoting academic advancement, career development, and
personal enrichment. The HWC Male Mentoring Program’s mission is to aid in the academic, personal,
professional, and overall development of male students at HWC. The program’s main goal is to support the
success of our male students by guiding and nurturing them with the expectation that they will remain at HWC
working toward graduation or transfer to other institutions to complete their studies. The proposed initiative is
consistent not only with the mission of HWC to sustain an environment that promotes optimal learning, but also
with each of the eight core values, accountability, communication, community outreach, diversity, leadership,
quality, service, and teamwork. These eight core values are integrated in all components of the Male Mentoring
Program
Description of the effective practice:
Through a series of workshops, culminating with a conference, the program endeavors to generate discussion
about how best to support optimal learning for our male students at HWC. Statistics at HWC are much the same.
The primary focus of the Male Mentoring Program is to support and nurture “male wellness” at Harold
Washington College (HWC) and to help ameliorate the educational, social, and physical/mental health factors
that impede the success of our male students. Past research indicates the need to address issues that affect
retention and graduation among male college students. Essential to the mission of HWC is the goal of
promoting academic advancement, career development, and personal enrichment.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
The proposed initiative is consistent not only with the mission of HWC to sustain an environment that promotes
optimal learning, but also with each of the eight core values, accountability, communication, community
outreach, diversity, leadership, quality, service, and teamwork.
What are the results/measurable outcomes?
The program has held two workshops, feedback from staff and students have indicated the information provided
at the workshops were helpful and presented in a professional manner. By successfully implementing this
program, we will address some of the underlying problems to male retention and completion, thus boosting
overall enrollment and graduation rates.
Contact Information
Name: Keenan L. Andrews
Email: KAndrews@ccc.edu
Phone: (312) 553-5926
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