The Value of Mentoring Programs for African American Male College Students

Abstract

Retention and graduation rates among African American male college students have received considerable coverage in recent years which is evident based on the literature in this paper. African American male students enroll in community colleges at a steady pace, yet graduation and retention rates are the lowest among this group. By creating mentoring programs designed specifically for African American males, academic success, retention, and graduation rates will improve. In this paper, the author will review the literature pertaining to the implications of mentoring programs for minority male college students. The author will begin by defining mentoring programs, exploring major arguments associated with mentoring programs, and address implications that mentoring has on retention for African American male students. In the final part of the paper, the author provides practical recommendations to effectively implement a mentoring program; summarize the arguments and reemphasize the significance of mentoring program for African American male students.    Â