The Male Student Success Initiative (MSSI) focuses on enhancing academic outcomes and career readiness for men of color.
Through mentorship, career exploration, and connections with peers, you'll discover new pathways to achievement and fulfillment with MSSI. Join us in embracing your potential, shaping your future, and making a meaningful impact in your community. Take the first step toward greatness with MSSI – where your journey to success begins.
Evidence suggests that engaging in professional development activities fosters resilience and self-efficacy among male college students of color, equipping them with the confidence and skills needed to navigate systemic barriers and succeed in their chosen career paths.1
MSSI hosts a number of engaging professional development programs each semester, focusing on topics such as financial management, professional networking, dressing for success, resume writing and interview skills.
1"The Impact of Professional Development Programs on Career Outcomes for Male College Students of Color" by Smith, J., & Johnson, R. (2020).
Internships provide students with the opportunity to build professional networks, which are often crucial for career advancement. These networks can help you access mentors, sponsors, and job opportunities that may not be readily available through traditional channels.
MSSI provides this unique opportunity by collaborating with community business partners to create paid professional internship opportunities that correlate with your major. You will have the opportunity to meet employers face to face at our kick off event and receive support and coaching to secure a paid internship.
To obtain an internship through MSSI, you must have completed at least 12 credits, maintain a 2.3 cumulative grade point average and receive the recommendation of your MSSI Success Mentor. In the past, our students have been placed in internships at: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Exelon, Comcast, MedStar and many more.
Students can enroll in culturally relevant courses that will equip you with a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse world around you, fostering empathy and appreciation for different perspectives.You will have an opportunity to study topics that resonate with your own cultural background and interests.
Many CCBC faculty have earned the MSSI Faculty Certificate. College faculty trained to support male students of color contribute to an inclusive academic environment where students feel valued and empowered to succeed. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by men of color, faculty can provide tailored support, fostering their academic achievement and personal development.
Success Mentors are a key component to the student support structure of MSSI. Each student is assigned to a mentor based on their main campus location. Success mentoring for men of color is crucial for providing tailored support, guidance, and advocacy to navigate academic and personal challenges effectively. Your mentor will be a role model and partner, enhancing your opportunity for academic achievement and long-term success.
MSSI Ambassadors are peer leaders appointed by the administrative leadership of MSSI to serve as liaisons between students and various campus programs, resources and services. Part of their responsibilities include: organizing events, providing information about upcoming activities, offering social support to MSSI students and promoting a positive college experience. The MSSI ambassadors play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and belonging here.
MSSI Scholars is a collaborative opportunity for high-achieving male students of color to receive support from both MSSI and the CCBC Honors College. Students are selected based on academic performance, in addition to overcoming systemic barriers and societal expectations, to achieve success. They also serve as role models and sources of inspiration, contributing to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the Honors College. Opportunities include four-year college tours, transfer application assistance and access to designated Honors courses and activities.
Available only to Work-Study eligible students, MSSI Student Assistants provide daily office support to the MSSI administrative staff. This may include tasks such as answering phones, responding to emails, scheduling appointments, monitoring MSSI office usage, assisting with event planning, and performing general office duties.
MSSI exposes students to museums, plays, art exhibits, lectures and landmarks with cultural significance to people of color in the US. Providing the space and opportunity for you to learn more about your own culture empowers you to develop a deeper sense of identity and pride in your heritage. Through exploration of cultural roots, students are given the space to gain valuable insights into the historical, social, and cultural factors that shape their communities and personal narratives.
MSSI skills building workshops offer practical strategies and resources to enhance study techniques, time management and critical thinking abilities. By participating in these workshops, you can develop the foundational skills necessary for academic success and future professional endeavors.
Director, MSSI
MSSI Assistant Director
