New PVCC program seeks to empower male students

By Stephanie Marie Adames, December 2011
Staff Writer

A new program at Paradise Valley Community College, offering a cohort of classes with the support of a club, aims to empower men and increase their retention rates.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor S tatistics reports a clear gender gap in academic attainment : One in four women has completed college by the age of 23, while only one in seven men have done so . The Maricopa Community College District has addressed this issue by creating a male initiative program. Male students can participate in the program by attending conferences and participating in on-campus clubs. Paradise Valley Community College’s Male Empowerment Network, known as M.E.N., is part of the district-wide initiative.

M.E.N. was formerly know as the Men of Color, but recently changed its name to broaden the scope of male students who can participate. Cranston Forte, PVCC program advisor of M.E.N, said that all people are invited to participate in the program. Currently, the club has approximately 15 members and is in the process of recruiting more.

Forte said the program is meant to aid male students in achieving personal and academic success, while using education as a tool to help students become better human beings.  He added that providing a cohort of classes helps create an environment where the students feel they are working as a team to achieve success together.

The M.E.N. offers several different outlets for students of diverse backgrounds to grow and unite. The program includes peer mentoring, workshops, seminars and focus groups. Students are also advised to enroll in the cohort classes so they may attend classes with other M.E.N. participants.

Jean Welton-Richardson, p resident of M.E.N., said that the program motivates him in and out of school to be a better person. He said the club discusses various issues such as its mission and community involvement.

On Oct. 20, M.E.N facilitated a panel discussion about gender role conflict, based on the book “College Men and Masculinities” by Dr. Shaun Harper and Dr. Frank Harris III. The panel discussed several issues, including how gender affects the psychosocial development of college men and the importance of self-expression.

Forte stated that the program plans to host another panel discussion in the spring of 2012 and is collaborating with different campus groups such as the Native American Student Association.

The M.E.N. club meets weekly. For more information on how to get involved, contact Cranston Forte at
cranston.forte@pvmail.maricopa.edu.