ACC gets grant

August 15, 2008 11:05 am

— The student loan corporation TG has awarded an $86,000 grant to the Austin Community College District (ACC) to support a new recruitment and retention program for African-American men.
The Men of Distinction program addresses the staggeringly high attrition rates of African-American males in higher education – up to 67 percent according to some studies.
ACC launched the program last year. It was developed by Dr. Voncille Wright, Rio Grande Campus dean of students, and Cheryl Richard, Student Life director.
“Men of Distinction provides unique opportunities for African-American males to engage and connect within ACC and the Austin community as a whole,” Wright said.
Participants partner with African-American faculty and staff who help them explore the opportunities and challenges students commonly face in college. In addition, participants have co-curricular experiences that give an extra competitive edge when seeking employment or university transfer.