By Sana Cole
The Scene staff
Higher Education Magazine has ranked St. Louis Community College 36th among the Top 100 institutions across the country for percentage of associate’s degrees conferred on black students.
The college conferred degrees on 2,113 students, including 474 black students (22.4 percent), during the 2011-12 school year. That’s a 19 percent increase over the previous year.
“It’s a cause for celebration,” said Donna Dare, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.
“We know there have been disparities (between black and white graduation rates). We’ve worked hard to improve that, and I think it’s great to see we’re making progress in reducing the gap.”
Dare gave partial credit to college programs such as Achieving the Dream, the African American Male Initiative, Commit to Complete, Upward Bound and TRIO.
“I think the recognition the college received (from the magazine) is a result of a culmination of a lot of efforts,” she said. “I think we’re seeing some benefits of the work we’ve put in.”
Forest Park is known as the college’s most diverse campus, with about 54 percent black students, 34 percent white, 4 percent Asian, 3 percent Hispanic, 3 percent unknown, 2 percent multi-racial and less than 1 percent Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander and American Indian.
Thomas Walker, Forest Park’s vice president of student affairs, offered his congratulations on a job well done with regard to the magazine’s ranking – with a caveat.
“I think we have a lot of improving we need to do to better serve our African American students,” he said.
Achieving the Dream is a multi-year national initiative to help community college students succeed. It’s focused heavily on those who have traditionally faced significant barriers, including the poor and minorities.
TRIO is a group of eight Federal service and outreach programs designed to identify and assist poor, disabled and other disadvantaged students from middle school to graduate school, as well as first-generation college students.
“These programs are designed to aid students in having a level playing field in education,” said Carolyn Jackson, manager of Upward Bound and TRIO. “Sadly, so many students start college without being prepared for the challenges they will encounter.”
The college’s African American Male Initiative provides support and assistance to black males.
Interim Director Genesis Steel noted that 29 black students have graduated this year. “They’re not only pursuing their degrees, they’re getting their degrees,” she said. “This shows that their hard work is paying off.”
Steel believes the Higher Education Magazine recognition is good for the college.
“It highlights what’s being done by the students and (that) their efforts have paid off,” she said.
“A lot of people have a misconception about students who attend two-year colleges. The statistics show they are walking away with their degrees and doing great things.”