Kennesaw State receives grant to increase the number of African−American males in higher education
Kennesaw State University has received a $30‚000 grant from the Board of Regents of the University…
Georgia (Nov 7, 2005) — Kennesaw State receives grant to increase the number of African−American males in higher education
Stacey Moore
Abstract
Contact: Frances Weyand‚ Director of University Relations
770−423−6203 or fweyand@kennesaw.edu
Kennesaw State University has received a $30‚000 grant from the Board of Regents of
the University System of Georgia to boost the college enrollment‚ retention and graduation
rates of African−American males.
Kennesaw State is one of just 10 USG institutions to be selected for funding and is
the only one to be awarded $30‚000 – the highest amount possible. KSU is providing
a $30‚000 match for the project.
The grant will support the KSU African−American Male Initiative‚ which involves partnering
with two Cobb County high schools – South Cobb High School and Marietta High School
– and two civic/education organizations – Blacks United for Youth Leadership Academy
and Delta Upsilon Boule – in an effort to improve the college preparedness of students
from the participating schools. The funding will also be used to implement a KSU
Summer Bridge Preparatory Program‚ to continue extensive mentoring initiatives and
to establish a learning community for African−American males.
Although enrollment rates have increased for all African−Americans at KSU from 2.6
percent in 1983 to 10.1 percent in 2004‚ there is still a marked disparity when it
comes to gender. While KSU’s undergraduate enrollment is about 61 percent female and
39 percent male‚ the gender breakdown for African−American students is about 70 percent
female and 30 percent male. African−American male enrollment has declined from 3.2
percent in fall 2002 to 3 percent in fall 2004.
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population of 18‚500 from 132 countries. The third largest state university
out of 35 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers more than 55
undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 38,000 students. With 13 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
