Rites of Passage
The Rites of Passage Program is designed to support the educational and professional aspirations of incoming freshmen and transfer male students from historically underserved populations. The goal of the program is to help students succeed academically, to fully immerse themselves in college life and to enhance their life management skills.
Program Overview
The program will open with a summer program during the second summer session of 2011 (June 27-August 1). The summer program gives students the opportunity to take two (2) general education required course toward graduation; participate in an orientation kickoff, advising strategies with minority male faculty and staff, Team QUESt leadership development and team building program, and other activities to prepare for fall semester. Two UNCG General Education courses are required in the summer (English, Math, Life Personal & Academic Success (HHP 125), or Introduction to Communication Studies (CST 105)). Students will get a chance to meet fellow students as well as key faculty and administrators, identify campus resources, and seek advice from Rites of Passage Mentors, a group of UNCG upper-class students who have successfully faced the challenges of adjusting to life at the University.
During the school year, students will participate in the Rites of Passage Learning Community where they will enroll in at least two (2) concurrent courses with integrated learning assignments and at least one planned co-curricular activity linked to course material and the goals of the Rites of Passage program. Students will also participate in a year-long service-learning project where they will enhance skills in leadership, civic engagement, and personal development. Rites of Passage workshops will take place monthly during fall and spring semester to address many of the Minority Male Mentoring (3MP) program topics (Academic Enhancement, Career Exploration, Civic Engagement, Personal Development and Leadership Development). Rites of Passage Mentors stay in touch with Rites of Passage participants through academic and social events and checking in with participants to make sure they are finding everything they need to be successful.
Year-Long Service-Learning Project
Students will gain some leadership skills through service-learning, group coaching, and identity transformation reflection through participation in the YMCA Black and Hispanic Achievers Program. They will be trained to volunteer in the capacity of mentors to Black youth in grades eight through twelve. Participants in Rites of Passage will improve their leadership skills as they work with high school students to develop leadership skills and success in school. Mentors must commit to one Saturday a month and will have the option to participate in more activities if they are interested. This is collaboration between the Center for Creative Leadership and the YMCA to help Achievers based on training given to executives around the world. Participants will improve their active listening skills, enhance their ability to give and receive feedback, increase their understanding of younger generations, and gain a greater appreciation of different perspectives. During the spring semester, Rites of Passage participants will design a session for the young men in the Young Achievers program to be presented in March.
Finally, students will participate in a group coaching component during monthly Rites of Passage Workshops where they will connect the information they learn in their life management workshops to their experiences mentoring Black male high school students in the YMCA Black and Hispanic Achievers Program and reflect on their individual identity transformation throughout the whole process.
Program Design
- Academic Enhancement
- Peer mentoring/tutoring
- Retention
- Regularly scheduled study sessions
- Academic advising strategies/mapping
- Enrollment management (financial aid, registration, etc.)
- Financial literacy
- Student/teacher engagement
- Transfer/graduation
- Early alert/intervention system
- Career Exploration
- Career mapping strategies
- Internship opportunities
- Resume/portfolio design
- Mock interviewing
- Job shadowing
- Work-study
- Membership in state/national professional associations
- Civic Engagement
- Service learning communities
- Research opportunities
- Volunteerism/community service
- Political involvement
- Personal Development
- Etiquette workshops
- Soft Skills workshops
- Student/teacher engagement
- Branding (image building, dress/attire, grooming, etc.)
- Conferences
- Wellness workshops
- Diversity awareness
- Leadership Development
- Team building skills
- Group dynamics
- Networking opportunities
- Conflict resolution management
The Rites of Passage Program is incorporated with the NCCCS/UNC Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MP).
THE WORKSHOPS
Location: Multicultural Resource Center
- Wednesday, September 21, 2011 5-7pm
- Financial Literacy
What should you do with your refund check? Should you pay bills, invest, buy a new car? What is Satisfactory Academic Progress and how does it affect me? Are there any scholarships for minority males available? Is there a perception that African American males need to work and make a lot of money to maintain their lifestyle? Come and discuss some smart approaches to managing money.
Facilitated by: Ms. Debra Slade Assistant Director of Public Relations, Financial Aid Office
Co-Sponsored by: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and NCCCS/UNC Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MP) - Wednesday, October 19, 2011 5-7pm
- Enrollment Management
Where do I go to find my academic advisor? When are the dates for registering for classes? How do I figure out what classes I need to take to complete my degree? What is a degree evaluation? If I want to switch my major, how will that affect me? In this workshop we will work through these question and offer information that will help you maintain your goals of completing college. Come discuss important information that will keep you on track to graduate and how to find the necessary information to do so.
Facilitated by: Mr. Bill Johnson, Coordinator of the Office of Life Planning and Personal Development, School of Health and Human Sciences.
Co-Sponsored by: NCCCS/UNC Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MP) - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 5-7pm
- Career Exploration
Do you dream about having a great job, making good investments, or having a lot of money? What keeps you from making this happen? This session will focus on using career mapping strategies, internship opportunities, resume/portfolio design, mock interviewing, job shadowing, work-study, and membership in state/national professional associations as resources to achieve your career goals.
Facilitated by: Mr. Craig Pickett, Jr., Career Development Counselor, Career Services Center
Co-Sponsored by: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and NCCCS/UNC Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MP) - Wednesday, January 25, 2011 5-7pm
- Etiquette
What role does your image play in your life? Are there different types of attire that are appropriate for different events and situations? How does knowing about diversity help me in social settings? Come join us to talk about different types of etiquette and how knowing the proper type of etiquette can help or hinder your social and employment opportunities.
Co-Sponsored by: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and NCCCS/UNC Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MP) - Wednesday, February 15, 2011 5-7pm
- Love and Relationships
This workshop will cover what roles, if any, that religion and various masculine beliefs play in minority love relationships. The conversation will focus on heterosexual, same-sex affection, and other love relationships that minority males are engaged in.
Facilitated by:- Mr. Duane Cyrus, Associate Professor of Dance
- Ms. Regina Pulliam, Associate Professor of Public Health
- Dr. William Hart, Professor and Interim Head of Religion, Ethics, and Politics
Co-Sponsored by: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and NCCCS/UNC Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MP)
- Wednesday, March 21, 2011 5-7pm
- Soft Skills
Soft skills are useful for creating and taking advantage, of opportunities – be it a fresh job or making a long-term career or becoming a professional or businessman. ÊInterestingly, the acquisition of soft skills also empowers anyoneÊto build flexibility into future.ÊMost soft skills are regarded as transferable skills, which are needed in nearly all aspects of life, not just for career alone. The real key to success in career & life is to capitalize on all your skills by making soft skills and hard skills complementary to each other.
Co-Sponsored by: NCCCS/UNC Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MP) - Wednesday, April 4, 2011 5-7pm
- Wellness
In this workshop we will discuss minority male health and work on raising the level of awareness regarding chronic illnesses, sexual health, drug and alcohol and self-esteem, by promoting and implementing activities that encourage minority males to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Co-Sponsored by: NCCCS/UNC Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MP)
THE RITES OF PASSAGE RECOGNITION DINNER
Invitations will be issued to those who fulfill the expectations of the Rites of Passage program, attending four or more of the workshops and participating in the service-learning project.
