Academic wellness check ups, prizes, speakers and student support are among activities.
By R. Eguia
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
All students are invited to socialize from noon-1:30 p.m. today at the Morgan Gallery on the MLK campus of St. Philip’s College. No registration is required.
Dr. Paul Machen, dean of educational support services, is excited to continue a social event that he helped establish fall 2014.
“The socials were established to connect with students in a less rigid and informal level. We want to make connections and learn what it means to be a student right now,” Machen said.
The next monthly events are scheduled for March 23 and April 20.
The Men of SPC is a committee formed almost two years ago to “help turn a corner on national concern,” Machen said. “Minority males continue to rate the lowest of low in completing graduation.”
Some women are on the Men of SPC committee and many females attend these socials. Machen says typically one fourth of the attendees are females, “we do not discriminate.”
The socials begin with presentations about tutoring and scholarship opportunities and transition to the college and community agency success tips of the month presented by an a resource outside of the college.
The city of San Antonio, the Food Bank, San Antonio for Growth on the East Side and various local internship programs have presented previously.
This year the Men of SPC committee will continue a partnership with the Spurs entertainment group, giving students a behind the scenes tour of what it takes to organize a Spurs game.
Students will talk to the director of facilities, communications and other professionals within the sports organization to learn more localized career options.
This partnership is a response to the annual etiquette dinners with the Spurs Silver Stars hosted by President Adena Loston.
Academic wellness checks will be offered with a certified adviser.
Machen said these checks only take about five minutes and include a degree audit and a “prescription for student success” that helps guide students to the next step to graduation and beyond.
Machen said this is important to supplement the “intrusive advising machine.” The committee focuses on students who are near academic probation, graduation and transferring to new schools.
Peer mentoring will be available to students who are interested in partnering with the Collegiate 100, an auxiliary organization on college campuses nationwide.
This organization is a part of the men’s civic organization and service club whose stated goal is to educate and empower African American children and teens called 100 Black Men of America.
Machen said, “Generally men don’t like to ask for help. They want to figure it out on their own and this is what typically causes men to stop participating in the education process all together.”
All students will be entered into a drawing for a $50 bookstore gift card and other prizes. A light lunch will be served.
For more information, call Dr. Paul Machen at (210) 486-2157 or John Martin at (210) 486-2241.