The Project MALES Student Mentoring Program applies a mentoring model that takes a dynamic and intergenerational approach to achieve increased achievement and retention of male students of color both in secondary and postsecondary educational settings. One of the ways it has been able to do this is by hosting a monthly Plática series that features prominent local community speakers (e.g., professionals, role models) that facilitate small group discussions among mentor participants. The Plática series is organized by the Project MALES Student Organization.
Project MALES kicked off the fall 2015 Plática series on Wednesday September 23, 2015. Our featured speaker was, Dr. Victor Sáenz, Associate Professor at UT Austin and Executive Director of the Project MALES Mentoring Program and the Texas Education Consortium for Males Students of Color. Dr. Sáenz welcomed new and returning mentors and spoke to them about the creation of the Project MALES Student Mentoring Program including the importance of mentoring young men of color. In addition, Dr. Sáenz described the different ways undergraduate students can get involved with the organization and also shared his vision for the organization in the near future.
Our first Platica of the semester was a success and our mentors are ready to start mentoring next week! Stay tuned for more updates on our mentoring and for a recap of our next Platica in October.
Our remaining Platicas for the Fall 2015 semester:
Topic: School To Prison Pipeline (STPP)
Guest Speaker: Morgan Craven, Director STPP
Date: Wednesday October 21, 2015
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: BUR 116
Topic: Community Partnerships (XY-Zone)
Guest Speakers: Mr. Robert Bachicha, Senior Program Coordinator XY-Zone
Date: Wednesday November 18th, 2015
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: BUR 116
