In the midst of all the exciting activities taking place on Person and Caswell County campuses of Piedmont Community College (PCC), there is one initiative that has been rebuilding its momentum for the entire academic year.
Sponsored by a grant provided by the North Carolina Community College System’s Minority Male Mentoring (3M) program in 2016-2017, the primary purpose of PCC’s 3M organization is to aid students in building a stronger community through study groups, social programming, and professional development opportunities.
In 2016, Rodney Johnson, graduate of Piedmont Community College and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro (UNC-G), was hired to provide primary oversight for organizing 3M events and monitoring the academic progress of the participants.
Throughout the 2016-17 academic year, exemplary programming to engage the young men in the initiative included:
• A professional presentation by Roxboro native and 1995 graduate of Saint Augustine’s University, Dr. Timothy L. Hatchett. Dr. Hatchett is currently the Director of Academic Advising and Retention at the University of District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. and presented on “Protecting Your Brand”. This presentation held in the Fall semester, focused on maintaining a positive social media presence.
• “Barbershop Talk” featuring local entrepreneur and community fixture, Derrick Pettiford, provided free haircuts to minority male students who were interested in learning more about the College’s program.
• “Dress for Success” workshop that demonstrated to the male participants on how to tie a tie and dress appropriately for conferences, job interviews, and other public events.
• “March Money Madness” workshop, lead by State Employee Credit Union representative, Melita Ingram This workshop focused on providing in depth financial information on how to establish and maintain credit, budgeting effectively and managing dept.
Sylvester Thorpe, Jr., a member of 2016-17 cohort, stressed the impact of participating in the events stating, “I thoroughly enjoyed the
program because I think it has helped get the young men back on track. Often times, young men don’t make the best decisions and this program has provided an opportunity to stay focused and achieve their goals.”
In an effort to continue delivering effective programs for 3M participants, Johnson has developed a comprehensive schedule that includes a study skills workshop, ongoing tutoring days, and college tours.
PCC’s Minority Male Mentoring program is an integral component of the College’s broader First Year Experience (FYE) initiative. The primary goal of the initiative is to assist in increasing retention rates and opportunities for student success at PCC.
For more information about the program, contact PCC’s Student Development Team at (336) 322-2159.
Photo: PCC students Tyron Carver, John Laws, and Kent Cash take notes during a Minority Male Mentoring workshop
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