Reflections from the First HEMAC Meeting
"Why are you focusing on males?" -Everyone
That was the typical response that we got across campus as D'Angelo S. Taylor, Ed.D. and I launched what would become the Flourishing Together Task Force: Focusing on the challenges facing young men and boys.
Christine Emba's The Washington Post article in July of 2023 was what moved us from animated conversation into action. Not long after Emba's July article, we received a note from Dr. Susan West , Chief of Staff and EVP for Administration at Belmont University , commissioning the Task Force. We then went to work on what would become an insightful and reflective learning journey.
Opinion | Christine Emba: Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness. - The Washington Post https://wapo.st/4dPv6mR
Fast forward to October 18th, 2023 . . . . the first gathering of the Higher Education Male Achievement Collaborative (HEMAC) marks a critical juncture in addressing male enrollment and retention in higher education. As participants from diverse institutions across the country convened virtually, it became clear that the challenges surrounding male achievement in higher education require both data-driven approaches and community-based solutions.
Key Takeaways
???? 1. Data Informs Strategy: One of the session’s most compelling moments came when Richard V. Reeves , a leading voice in male education, presented data that highlighted significant disparities between male and female student outcomes. From enrollment numbers to graduation rates, male students consistently lag behind. As institutions, we must ask: Do we have a data product that shows the evolution of male enrollment and retention? If not, this is our first step.
???? 2. Programmatic Innovation: The University of Vermont’s success story offers a blueprint for others. Vice Provost Jay Jacobs, Ed.D. shared insights into how targeted initiatives—like the Vermont Pitch Challenge—can be designed to appeal particularly to male students, without being exclusionary. This gender-conscious approach, focused on fostering entrepreneurial spirit and practical application, has started to move the needle on male enrollment, closing gaps that had persisted for over a decade.
???? 3. Intersectional Challenges: Reeves emphasized the stark intersectional disparities, particularly the widening gap in college completion rates between Black male students and their female counterparts. Understanding these nuances, and addressing them with culturally relevant programming, will be crucial as HEMAC moves forward.
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Action Steps
As we reflect on the insights from this first meeting, the following strategic priorities emerge:
?? ????? Understand Your Data Story: Every institution involved in HEMAC must commit to gathering and analyzing gender-specific enrollment and retention data. This information will be the foundation upon which effective interventions are built.
?? ????? Build Inclusive, Gender-Conscious Programs: While some regions, like Florida, may face restrictions on gender-specific initiatives, the solution lies in creating programs that, while open to all, are designed to address the particular needs of male students. This approach allows us to tackle the issue head-on while navigating policy constraints.
?? ????? Engage Campus Stakeholders: HEMAC’s collaborative model is rooted in the idea that everyone—from academic advisors to athletic directors—has a role to play. Building coalitions within our campuses will ensure that the work of supporting male achievement is understood, shared and sustained.
Looking Ahead
As the session drew to a close, it was clear that this was just the beginning. Institutions have been tasked with a set of homework questions that will further inform our collective efforts. As we reconvene in November, the shared knowledge and data will allow us to refine our strategies, ensuring that HEMAC becomes a powerful force for improving outcomes for male students nationwide.
This inaugural HEMAC meeting set the stage for innovation, collaboration, and action. Together, we can rewrite the narrative on male achievement in higher education—one data point, one program, and one student at a time.
One Last Reflection
This work is not a zero sum game. Because we invest in the challenges and needs of young men and boys does not imply or infer that we care less about the challenges and needs of young women and girls. Over the past year, we learned numerous lessons, from everyone we engaged. We applied those lessons to everyone we engaged, for the benefit of the entire campus community.
If you're interested in joining this work, please reach out to Richard and the team at the Higher Education Male Achievement Collaborative or HEMAC.
Belmont University - Jack C. Massey College of Business Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine Bradford (Brad) Gioia Joyce Searcy Lauri Chaudoin Carshonda Martin Tamika Williams, EdD Sharrel Pinto Joe Mankowski Richard V. Reeves American Institute for Boys and Men Hope Cooper Buckner James McIntyre
Excellent writing and reflections on this important topic, Ed Magee!
Professor of Energy, Resources and Environment at Johns Hopkins SAIS.
1 个月Congratulations! It's really great to see this work being done.
Strategically connecting people around projects to achieve the unexpected
1 个月Great piece! This work IS NEEDED and the subsequent projects and initiatives born out of the AIBM and HEMAC will certainly have an impact far into the future. Here's to rewriting!