A Few Good Men Initiative
A Few Good Men (FGM) is a program established by the Diversity Task Force for Recruiting and Retention designed to empower men of color, academically, personally and professionally. FGM will increase, encourage and support inclusion and educational success. As a male empowerment program designed to address the needs of men of color, FGM will also strive to develop valuable leadership skills at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. This retention program will foster a supportive environment for students to learn and grow as active members of the academic community and as individuals through education.
A Few Good Men Mission Statement
A Few Good Men (FGM) is committed to empowering men of color to improve their quality of life by enhancing leadership, educational and economic opportunities for personal and professional growth. FGM strives to improve chances for academic success emphasizing the importance of values, ethics, and respect to become self-sufficient citizens in our communities.
Vision Statement
Bluegrass Community and Technical College will utilize its infrastructure to serve as a vehicle to motivate and empower FGM to become leaders to fold within the breadth and depth of the communities in which they live.
Our Goals
- To empower males of color to complete credentials
- To serve as a safe haven
- To build strong relationships with Faculty, Staff, and Community leaders
- To increase participation in the program to enhance educational, personal, and professional growth
- To develop community partnerships for workforce opportunities
- To increase the postsecondary retention rate
- To close the achievement gaps by aligning efforts across the College
- To create a learning community that promotes engagement among males of color as well as with the institution
Four core functions
- Academic Advising
- Academic Coaching/Monitoring (high touch, high impact)
- Academic Support
- Student Success
Program Requirements
- Students must be enrolled full-time at BCTC
- Each student will be assigned an Academic Advisor and Academic Coach
- Participants must attend monthly "Real Talk" workshops
- Handling emotional aspects of college life
- Reacting to academic and other stressors
- Balancing college and personal life
- Conflict resolution, critical thinking, learning styles and goal setting
- Outside distractions - impact on inside goals
- Perceptions of black men
- Plight of Young black men
- Racial profiling
- Your outside appearance
- Dating and Relationships
- Employment opportunities, Mental Health and more!
- Workshops will be co-facilitated by a Community Leader and a BCTC Employee
- Some topics may include:
- Students must meet with the African-American Retention Specialist (Advisor or other assigned advisors) and Academic Coach twice per semester
- Students will engage in a shared-learning experience
- Must continue from fall to the next fall semester or apply for a credential
Real Talk Sessions
Spring 2024 semester A Few Good Men Real Talk Sessions will be conducted in-person at the Newtown Campus, Classroom Building, Room 105-107.
Dates for Real Talk Sessions:
- Tuesday, January 30 @ 3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 27 @ 3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 26 @ 3:30 p.m.
Dates for joint sessions with Becoming Her:
- Tuesday, February 13 @ 3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 19 @ 3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 9 @ 3:30 p.m.
Who's gonna do it? YOU!
Contact:
Shelbie Hugle
Associate Dean of Admissions &
Director of Diversity Task Force for Recruiting and Retention
shelbie.hugle@kctcs.edu
(859) 246-6216
Carlous B. Yates, Ed.D.
He/Him/His
Assoc. VP for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Title IX Coordinator
carlous.yates@kctcs.edu
(859) 246-6937
Benefits of FGM
- Strong connections with other students
- Building relationships with Community Leaders, Faculty & Staff
- Mentoring
- Real Talk with Strong Men
- Social and Cultural Activities
- High Touch High Impact Academic Support
"I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom."
A Few Good Men 1992
