AAMI receives grant funding to continue support of Black male students
African American Male Initiative receives grant funding to support the academic success of Black men at Augusta University.
The AAMI E3 Leadership Program will provide relevant and transparent experiences for young, African-American males that will aid in their success academically, professionally and socially at AU. AU's program is under the leadership of program director, Jerry Oliver Jr. MEd. Mr. Oliver has over 10 years of experience working with the AAMI Program and other Student Success Initiatives. Augusta University's program has been funded by grant funds from the USG for the past 3 years.
The University System of Georgia’s (USG) African-American Male Initiative (AAMI®) is a statewide initiative designed to increase the number of African-American males who complete their postsecondary education from any of the USG institutions.
Its mission is to provide an integrated program model of academic and social tools that support students around adopting a positive mindset to successfully complete classes, elevate their cumulative GPAs, matriculate through each academic level and graduate. Our goal is to promote student success and improve graduation rates through social and academic networks. Through collaborating with university and community partners we intend to connect students with others to envision their future, to explore their passions, and to actively engage in their college experience.
The GPAs for program participants has been higher than non-participants for the past 3 years (2017-2019).
JagNation: Having Integrity On and Off Campus
JagNation: The African American Male Initiative Thrives in Virtual Landscape
Program Model
Participants
*Students may join AAMI at any time but will need to follow the program guidelines and program model. Students can enroll in LDRS 2000.
Academic Skills Enrichment:
Provides supplemental literacy, writing, math and study-skill activities to help pre-college students transition to college academic life during the summer and assist enrolled AAMI participants with RPG (retention, progression, and graduation) throughout the academic year.
Student Support Services:
Makes available internal and external resources, information and learning tools to enhance students’ academic and social successes.
Adult & Peer Mentoring:
Connects AAMI students to adults and peers who encourage achievement, foster positive attitudes, as well as a sense of belonging through personal and academic support, while reinforcing RPG.
Leadership Development:
Provides multi-faceted professional and soft skills forums to help develop and strengthen participants’ leadership skills.
Key Activities
Key Activities for All Participants All Cohorts
Man Cave Mondays are a way for you to start the week with motivation and mentoring. Starting with AAMI program updates and announcements, each session will feature a special guest speaker from the campus or the community who will provide perspective and inspiration.
Follow Up Fridays will be held via Teams due to COVID-19. During our face-to-face follow-ups, you will gather together and enjoy food and drinks while discussing their week and catching up with other members. This is not happening this semester due to COVID-19
Alternate Plan: Follow-Up Friday is focusing on Holistic Wellness, members of Student Counseling and Psychological Services and Student Wellness will be facilitating Follow-Up Friday. Each session will focus on 1 of the 8 dimensions of wellness. Student Counseling and Psychological Services along with Student Wellness will be hosting the Holistic Wellness Series.
This will also be an opportunity to let program administrators know what is going right, as well as how the program can better serve you. Also, it will be a good time to make sure you document all the points you earned that week (by visiting your advisor, meeting with your mentor, completing a tutoring session, etc.).
Incentives
How to Get Started
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Jerry Oliver Jr. by emailing jeoliver@augusta.edu.
Outcomes
For the past 3 years AAMI Participants have had GPAs significantly higher than Non-AAMI AA Male Students at Augusta University
African American Male Initiative receives grant funding to support the academic success of Black men at Augusta University.
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