On October 23, MCC-Penn Valley hosted the 2nd Annual African American Leaders Luncheon. Organized by Marketing and Community Relations Coordinator Kim Riley, the luncheon was an opportunity for community and civil leaders from across metropolitan Kansas City to address the issue of quality education for students graduating from high school and entering into the Metropolitan Community College system.
Chairing the event were Karen Moore (Teaching and Learning Center Supervisor), Al Dimmitt (Dean of Instructional Services), Toni Alexander (Project Success Director), Greg Sanford (Faculty Association President), Lisa Minis (Dean of Student Services), Angela Ferguson (Black Student Association President), and Dr. Bernard Franklin (President of MCC-Penn Valley).
Each presented information on the status of students presently enrolling, and stressed the need to improve academic readiness when students reach college entry level.
"We want to talk about some of the good things that are going on here," said Franklin. "We want to also discuss some of our challenges, some of our issues. We want to have good dialogue and invite every part of our community, because that is what a community college is all about."
 Lyle Gibson |
"It is our belief that a community, especially a community of color, cannot move forward unless the students or the parts of the community that are really sensitive to growth and development are educated," stated Franklin.
"Education is essential for any group to make it and find success in the American dream. For many of the students who come here, there are no alternatives. The state system has an ACT requirement and our students don’t pass it, so they have no choice but to come here."
History teacher Lyle Gibson expressed the need for more minority faculty on campus. "Our primary concerns are the recruitment and retention of minority faculty and staff. If you look closely on this campus, the higher you go in the hierarchy, the wider it becomes. I am only one of just a handful of African American men teaching on this campus. So that is a concern in terms of recruitment and retention."
"We have to step back and take a look at ourselves," said Angela Ferguson. A lot of times we see our older generation, when in the streets, use the 'N' word or degrade women. And a lot of time we have that perception of a certain way we’re supposed to look or act.
"So last month we did the death burial and resurrection of the 'N' word. It was a conscious forum that allowed students to see how we actually are. Our theme this year is to get involved in voting. ‘Vote or Die’ is pretty much what BSA’s slogan is this year. We want more people to be aware that you cannot rebuild a community if you’re not involved."
Toni Alexander explained the Summer Bridge Program that Project Success sponsored last summer. "The reason why we decided to do a summer bridge program is because we felt we needed to take action," said Alexander.
"We wanted to do something new, something different and something intensive. We developed the program to meet the needs of our students, covering both academic and life skills. By the end of the summer, thirteen of the fourteen students enrolled completed the program. However, all fourteen did enroll in college."
Following presentations by the other panel members, the floor was open to questions and answers. Plans are already being made to arrange a follow-up gathering and planning session.
Copyright 2007 Metropolitan Community College