Male Resource Centers Promote Success Among Men of Color

In an effort to address the needs of Black and Latinx men in higher education, male resource centers have been looking to increase belonging, persistence, and graduation rates.

“You can see that there are gender disparities across higher ed — outcomes, enrollment — and generally find that men have worse outcomes than women,” says Dr. Su Jin Jez, CEO of California Competes, a nonpartisan policy and research organization focused on identifying solutions to California’s most critical higher education and workforce issues. There are 116 community colleges in California.

Dr. Su Jin JezJez says the three-year transfer rate is about 13% for men and 17% for women, and the differential holds across most racial and ethnic groups. For Latinx men, it is 10% versus 14% for Latinx women. There is also a gap in bachelor’s degree attainment, 35% for men and 40% for women.

“The resource centers serve as one-stops with many tailored supports that can help male students of color find a sense of purpose because it typically will include things like mentorship, academic support, career exploration, leadership development opportunities, and peer support networks,” says Jez. 

Addressing the need

Queensborough Community College (QCC), a two-year institution in the City University of New York system, conducted an equity audit that showed there were retention and graduation disparities for male students overall, with Black and Latinx male students disproportionately impacted. In mid-August, QCC officially opened its male/men's resource center (MRC), which is dedicated to increasing the retention and graduation rates of male students, particularly self-identified Black and Latinx male students who are disproportionately impacted by equity gaps in student outcomes.