Create a free Diverse: Issues In Higher Education account to continue reading. Already have an account? Enter your email to access the article.

Summit Seeks to Improve Outcomes for Men of Color

Watson Headshot

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Improving outcomes for young men of color has become a personal goal for Dr. James P. Clements.

Clements, who is president of Clemson University – the second-largest public institution in South Carolina – has made it his business to draw attention to the plight of Black males by hosting the second annual Men of Color National Summit.

At a time when so many college leaders have only given lip service to closing the achievement gap among young Black and Brown students, Clemson – under Clements’ leadership – has made the issue a top priority, pumping resources into creating a pipeline for young men of color to enroll in college, not just in South Carolina but across the nation.

“It’s a mission for me,” says Clements in an interview with Diverse. “I’m first-generation. My parents didn’t set foot on a college campus. My grandparents didn’t graduate from high school. Education is the key. So, we have to make sure these brilliant young men graduate from high school, go on to college and go on to run companies and start businesses.”

More than 2,000 high school and college students traveled here to engage with high-profile speakers, community leaders and business leaders who offered advice and encouragement to the young men of color on how they can beat the odds and go on to become successful.

In this regard, Clemson is joining institutions such as The Ohio State University, which has the Todd Anthony Bell National Resource Center on the African American Male Center, in making young men of color a priority.

“Clemson strives to be a national leader for inclusive excellence and we are excited to have this opportunity to raise awareness of changes in the national landscape and conversation while also enhancing the experience of every attendee through involvement and engagement,” said Clements, adding that as a land-grant institution, the university has an obligation to provide solutions to the challenges that beset many young men of color.

The trusted source for all job seekers
We have an extensive variety of listings for both academic and non-academic positions at postsecondary institutions.
Read More
The trusted source for all job seekers