UWG News Item
Contact: UWG Public Relations Office
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UWG receives grant for African-American Male Initiative Program
November 1, 2005
CARROLLTON, GA - The University of West Georgia has been awarded a $15,000 Board of Regents grant this month under the University System of Georgia’s (USG) African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) program.
The Black Men With Initiative (BMWI) program, founded and directed by Dr. Said Sewell, assistant professor of political science and planning, and the Multicultural Achievement Program, coordinated by Director of Multicultural Services Dr. Delandra Hunter, are the UWG recipients of the grant.
The funds will be used to expand existing mentoring programs for Black males in the community’s junior and high schools and at the university, said Sewell.
“It will allow us to deepen our efforts so we can help save the students before they drop out,” said Sewell. “Studies have shown Black males begin to drop out in ninth grade. This grant will help expand our community programs with the Carrollton City School system and provide additional resources.”
The program benefits students from the sixth grade through high school and college. University students who mentor will benefit by becoming a role model and by giving back to the community. Junior high and high school students who are mentored have the opportunity to interact with positive, educated African-American male role models and to expand their life experiences.
It’s a win-win situation, said Chief Academic Officer of the Carrollton City School System Jackie Fillingim.
“The proposal to provide mentors to tutor and motivate our African-American students fits perfectly with our system and school goals,” said Fillingim. “We are so fortunate to have the extensive resources that the university has to offer within a few miles of our campus. We look forward to the additional support these mentors can bring to our students as we work together to ensure the success of each student.”
Sewell’s BMWI program has 25 UWG Black students who mentor students in grades 6-8 at Carrollton Junior High School. The grant will make it possible to increase the BMWI program by 20 UWG student members.
Hunter said the grant is a welcome support for the MAP program on campus and in the community. MAP university students mentor high school Black males.
“As a former high school teacher, I understand the importance of motivating teenagers,” said Hunter. “So, I am thrilled at the opportunity to continue the success of MAP’s mentoring program with high school Black males in the area.”
Ten winning proposals were selected from 19 entries and received a total of $200,000. This year, the grants were awarded for the first time through a competitive proposal process.
Approved strategies for grant-funded programs include multi-faceted plans to increase enrollment of Black males in college-preparatory programs, summer bridge programs to provide exposure to college campuses, and learning communities to improve retention and graduation rates of Black males at universities.
Since the USG launched the African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) three years ago in Georgia, enrollment of Black males in the university system has increased almost 10 percent.
Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, president of UWG, is a strong supporter of the AAMI and other student support services.
“We are pleased and proud to be able to increase our existing initiatives to support African-American males who are underrepresented in colleges and universities across America,” said Sethna. “We are committed to the success of all of our students, and to those who need our support the most.”
For information on the African-American Male Initiative at UWG, call 678-839-4997.
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