Men of Honor program reverses negative trends among minorities.

The San Jacinto College Men of Honor mentoring program helps to reverse negative trends among minority students. The College launched Men of Honor in 2009 with a goal of increasing retention and transfer rates among African-American male students, and the program has gained traction every year since.

According to recent U.S. Department of Education research, college graduation rates of approximately 33 percent for African-American males represents the lowest among all groups studied. Data indicates that Men of Honor is helping to improve such rates at San Jacinto College. According to figures provided by the College’s office of research and institutional effectiveness, there have been positive gains in three key categories – the number of students that stayed enrolled, the number of students who pass, and the number of Men of Honor students who are both retained and who pass.

From left, Robert Luna and Justin Ashima found support and guidance through the San Jacinto College Men of Honor mentoring program. Both graduated and transferred to the University of Houston.
Photo credit: Rob Vanya, San Jacinto College.

Because of such success, the program recently changed the target population to include Hispanic males, a group with challenges that are similar to African American male students. There are currently more than 150 students and 35 mentors actively involved in Men of Honor at all three San Jacinto College campuses, and Men of Honor program director Ron Hopkins says many more students have contacted him with questions about the program. “We also plan to add community mentors to participate in the program,” Hopkins commented.

In the program, trained faculty and staff members serve as mentors for African-American and Hispanic male students, offering guidance, encouragement, and support. Activities include monthly meetings, guest speaker forums, community service projects, and participation in conferences.

Students Robert Luna and Justin Ashima found support and guidance through Men of Honor. Both graduated from San Jacinto College and transferred to the University of Houston (UH), where they are pursuing baccalaureate degrees.

San Jacinto College graduate Aaron Moore had a dramatic turn around through his involvement in Men of Honor. He grew up in a troubled and violent environment. At 15, he was in a gang “running the streets, using and selling drugs,” which eventually led to a prison sentence. In jail, he did some serious soul searching. “I knew I had to make a positive change in my actions,” he commented. “I had to change my environment and associates from negative to positive.”

He served eight months of a two-year sentence and was paroled for good behavior. Moore then enrolled at San Jacinto College, where he found out about Men of Honor. Through nurturing and caring mentoring, he found a positive and encouraging environment. “I found mentors, and began to follow their good examples,” he said. “I also shared experiences, hopes, and plans with fellow Men of Honor members. We learned from each others’ experiences, and we would check on each other for accountability.”

Moore earned an associate degree in air conditioning technology from San Jacinto College, and transferred to UH to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business. His career goal is to own his own air conditioning business.

“Aaron’s story shows what an impact our program can have on people who just need some positive influence and direction,” commented Hopkins. “His story personifies the results we try to achieve with our core values: strive to achieve, respect yourself and others, seek and accept wisdom, have a dream.”

Hopkins says Men of Honor works because the mentors have a positive purpose and are on a mission to help people improve their lives. “Our mentors have all attended college and are able to share real solutions and positive examples that are so important to a large population of students that tend to be the first in their family to attend college,” he said.

To learn more about the San Jacinto College Men of Honor program, visit sanjac.edu/MOH.

– Rob Vanya