“Responsibility is something you practice.”Michelle Obama
In a recent Associated Press article entitled “Men Struggling to Finish at Black Colleges,” many troubling statistics concerning African American male graduation rates were brought to the fore. Although the low graduation rates of African American men at some historically Black colleges are disturbing, what is more disturbing is the apathy I witness amongst some African American students-both male and female-at Winston-Salem State University. Turning in late assignments, missing class, and not reading required material have become commonplace.
The issue of low graduation rates and poor performance for African American men is both multi-dimensional and complex and can undoubtedly be linked to deeply entrenched systemic issues. To be sure, historical realities such as the institution of slavery, slave codes, Jim Crow, lynching, the rise of the prison industrial complex, denying African Americans equal access to education and the dearth of African American men in African American communities are factors that are partially responsible for African American men’s poor performance in college. Collectively, African Americans have faced myriad challenges in America since their arrival at Jamestown in the early 1600s. Conversely, African Americans have also devised strategies that have solidified their success and circumvented this hostile environment (i.e. America), particularly within the sphere of education, despite encountering such daunting obstacles.
Since I was hired at Winston-Salem State University in Fall 2008, I have listened to a number of my male students gripe about topics as varied as the Student Government Association’s poor choice of artists at the homecoming concert to gripes about faculty members appearing to be disinterested in student outcomes. Unfortunately, no university is infallible.
As we move into what some have deemed the post-racial era of Barack Obama’s presidency, charges of racism, prejudice and institutional malfeasance on behalf of African Americans -however valid-are likely to fall on deaf ears. In regards to higher education, should society really feel sorry for those African American men that actually have access to a college education?
Not only will historically Black college administrators be forced to meet the demands of a globalized, highly competitive, increasingly technological society, more importantly, so will students. If President Barack Obama is to serve as an exemplar for African American men, excellence must replace sentiments of entitlement and victimology as prominent 21st century, African American, male tropes. The question African American male students must ask is whether or not they have done everything within their power to guarantee their success while enrolled in college. Systemic, societal, familial and socioeconomic issues have provided recurring obstacles for African Americans for centuries and will more than likely continue to plague the African American community-on some level-well into the 21st century.
As an African American man who is the byproduct of two historically Black universities, admittedly, I am both critical of and indebted to HBCUs. That said in the tradition of solution-based pedagogy, which is a major feature of the rich legacy of historically black colleges and universities, I offer twenty-two (22) suggestions for academic success. Far from a panacea, these recitations have been beneficial in my matriculation process. If students do not fully grasp what is needed for their long-term success while in college, they will pay the ultimate price (both literally and figuratively) for their inaction not Winston-Salem State University.
22 Keys to Academic Success
- Take responsibility for your education.
- Practice due diligence.
- Find a mentor.
- Be punctual. If you are on time, you are late.
- Travel
- Prioritize. Do not waste time.
- Read. Always keep reading material handy.
- Get in the habit of taking notes inside and outside of class
- Keep a dictionary. If you do not know the meaning of a word, look it up.
- Ask questions.
- Network
- Set goals.
- Be confident, yet humble.
- Continuously hone basic skills (i.e. reading, writing, public speaking, listening, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills).
- Think positively, yet realistically.
- Identify your purpose on the planet, as well your purpose for being in college.
- Give, give, and give some more. Give your time. Share your thoughts. Get involved.
- Write down your goals. Maintain a planner.
- Attend as many campus lectures as humanly possible.
- Personalize your education. Either you or using educational system or the educational system is using you.
- Be an individual not a follower. Don’t be afraid to be different.
- Work hard and dream big.