Monroe College to Host 7th Annual “Male Empowerment” Event for Minority High School Students on March 31
Bronx, NY (PRWEB) March 30, 2016 -- Monroe College, a national leader in educating urban and international students, today announced that its 7th annual “Male Empowerment Event” for male minority high school students will be held on Thursday, March 31, with renowned education innovator and visionary Dr. Steve Perry delivering the keynote address.
Approximately 300 minority young men of color from local high schools are expected to attend. This community event works to build their self-confidence and, by doing so, combat a deep-rooted problem within our higher education system -- the weak enrollment and even weaker program completion rates for urban minority men, specifically African-Americans and Latinos.
This year’s theme will be “Tying into Manhood,” which reflects the transition these high school juniors and seniors are in as they exit young adulthood and face important education, career, and lifestyle decisions that will ultimately influence the direction their lives take and the potential opportunities that await them as adults. Academic excellence, personal accountability, character, and community service will be emphasized throughout the event to inspire them to make positive and productive choices.
The Male Empowerment Event will begin with the presentation of a blue and gold tie to each student, symbolizing a commitment to the future success and leadership possibilities attainable for students. The tie ceremony will be followed by a keynote address delivered by Dr. Steve Perry, the founder and principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut, ranked one of the top schools in the country by U.S. News and World Report. An impassioned advocate on the vital role of educational access in improving the lives of urban youth, Dr. Perry was invited to deliver the keynote address this year after his speech was met with a standing ovation at the previous year’s event.
A key component of the day’s activities will be the small group mentoring provided by more than 40 accomplished male role models – including Monroe College faculty and staff, judges, lawyers, doctors, members of law enforcement, bankers, and entrepreneurs. These mentors will speak with students about the personal obstacles and challenges they faced in their career and personal lives, and the decisions they made to overcome them.
“Our annual Male Empowerment Event grew out of a concerted effort within Monroe to find innovative ways to counter national statistics on low college enrollment and degree completion rates for young men of color, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Dr. Cecil Wright, Ed. D, Dean of Admissions at Monroe College and director of its student empowerment programs. “We take great pride in the positive impact the event has had on setting attendees on the path to becoming confident, motivated, well-educated men.”
The event will be held on Thursday, March 31 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in King Hall’s Mintz Auditorium on Monroe’s Bronx Campus. King Hall is located at 2501 Jerome Avenue.
ABOUT MONROE COLLEGE
Founded in 1933, New York-based Monroe College is a nationally ranked private institution of higher learning with a real world learning approach that prioritizes hands-on academic experiences, practical and relevant academic programs, flexible learning schedules, best-in-class instructional technologies, and committed and engaged faculty to ensure that students are well positioned for career success upon graduation. Monroe College graduates more minority students than any other college in New York State.
Monroe College offers Certificate, Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degree programs. It has campuses in the Bronx, New Rochelle, as well as in the Caribbean nation of St. Lucia, with programs offered through its Schools of Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Nursing, Education, Business & Accounting, Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, and Allied Health Professions, as well as through its liberal arts and continuing education programs, and its King Graduate School. For more information and admissions criteria, please visit http://www.monroecollege.edu
Jacqueline Ruegger, Monroe College, Public Affairs, +1 9147406455, [email protected]
Share this article