When it comes to young African American males, the data suggest that because many lack adequate academic preparation and do not have the experience to see how certain learning activities and college requirements will help them to succeed in the career goals they have set, they tend to lack a strong appreciation for higher education. Educators add that the promise of instant gratification that permeates popular culture has resulted in more Black men being in prison than in college. As reported by Alexander in Number of black men in college dwindle, an 18 year old male will be more inclined to say, “I want money in my pocket now, and I’ll attempt to get a job” (Source: Alexander, B., 2004). Alexander also pointed that African American males see college as too great a financial investment with delayed gratification and tend to focus their energies on immediate financial solutions.

Much of the literature reinforces the traditional thinking behind why young Black men tend to attend college in lower numbers than other counter parts. To assist the University in learning more about this population and enhancing its ability to attract new markets, the PBI project brings an exceptional senior scholar who can contribute to and enrich the capacity of the university to meet its goals.  The specific role for the scholar will be to prepare the campus and conduct those activities that will strengthen the University’s ability to enhance the educational outcomes of African American males. The scholar is expected to actively participate in a number of productive scholarly activities, such as increasing awareness and strengthening target areas of expertise in campus programs and services; exploring and assess new emerging assessments and planning and undertaking collaborate research with faculty.

The Visiting Scholar will play a pivotal role in developing empirical data as well as guiding and shaping the direction of support and services. The scholar will specifically assess and conduct activities that will help address the following:

• What are the particular risk factors that affect and/or contribute to the low presence of 18-24 year old African American males in the academic pipeline, specifically at CSU?

• What are the factors that significantly contribute to the high drop out rate of African American males, and how can the university’s work alleviate these factors?

• What are the most effective recruiting practices that can be implemented to ensure an increase in the number of African American males who apply and enroll in higher education, specifically at CSU?

• What are the most effective practices and activities that can improve the persistence and graduation rates of African American male students, specifically at CSU?