This training is focused on developing a comprehensive picture of their potential college environment, creating an individualized plan for adjusting to and thriving at college, and understanding the opportunities and dangers at their college. Participants will be helped to gather data about their respective college settings and work together to create a comprehensive picture of their college environment. They will be helped in identifying the types of opportunities, supports and hazards for new students at residential and commuter colleges, including:

• • Academic offerings and majors
  • Clubs, fraternities, sports and other social and recreational opportunities
  • Academic, medical and counseling supports
  • Religious/spiritual, community and racial/cultural affinity groups
  • Danger of alcohol and other substance use/abuse
  • Danger of mismanaging time and of social distractions to learning
  • Managing cross racial and cross cultural interactions on campus

Students will work in small groups to identify how the opportunities and hazards may manifest in individual colleges and to strategize about adjusting to life in specific colleges. The sessions will include large and small group discussion, group exercises, DVD clips, readings, and outside presenters. Topics and themes will emerge from the group. Areas that may be covered include:

• • Stress Management
  • Elements of Manhood Among Men of Color
  • Developing Healthy Relationships
  • Healthy Sex
  • Financial Literacy
  • Health and Nutrition
  • Positive Aspects of Men of Color and of Their Cultures
  • Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills
  • Self-Esteem in the college setting
  • Setting Career Goals
  • Giving Back to Others

LIFE AS A FRESHMAN (2 hrs.)
Participants will explore possibly new experiences of living independently and managing studying, social life, interaction with new peers, advocating for self, etc.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCES OF MEN OF COLOR: IMPACTS ON RECRUITMENT & RETENTION (2 hrs.)
Group will discuss excerpts from book Fraternity, about 5 Black male students in a group of 20 recruited and accepted to Holy Cross College in 1968. The book traces the challenges faced, the support provided, and the leadership developed in the students of color coming from urban and rural communities of color. The former students profiled in the book have earned graduate degrees and developed into major leaders in their fields. The Workshop will discuss things to consider as participants move into decisions about college applications.

CULTURAL AWARENESS IN COLLEGE LIFE (2 hrs.)
Participants will explore/examine their understanding of culture and its role in their lives. Through their own understanding of cultural similarities and differences, participants learn that culture is not static but a dynamic force that can be old and new, inherited, created and shared with people from different backgrounds. The aim of this workshop is to help the participants to bring their best self to college and the workforce by being open and exploring differences.

COACHING In individual and group coaching, young men of color will be guided to develop an individualized plan for adjusting to and thriving at college and to understand the opportunities and dangers at their college. Participants will be helped to gather data about their respective college settings and work together to create a comprehensive picture of their college environment and to strategize about adjusting to life in colleges. They will be helped in identifying the types of opportunities, supports and hazards for new students at residential and commuter colleges. These will include:

• • Academic offerings and majors
  • Clubs, fraternities, sports and other social and recreational opportunities
  • Academic, medical and counseling supports
  • Religious/spiritual, community and racial/cultural affinity groups
  • Danger of alcohol and other substance use/abuse
  • Danger of mismanaging time and of social distractions to learning
  • Managing cross racial and cross cultural interactions on campus

GROUP & INDIVIDUAL COACHING (will cover the following topics as needed):

• • Stress Management
  • Elements of Manhood Among Men of Color
  • Developing Healthy Relationships
  • Healthy Sex
  • Financial Literacy
  • Health and Nutrition
  • Positive Aspects of Men of Color and of Their Cultures
  • Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills
  • Self Esteem in the College Setting
  • Setting Career Goals
  • Giving Back to Others

Programs can be customized to meet the needs of girls, teens and women of color. For additional information on customized training, workshops, or supervision on providing culturally sensitive services to males of color, contact via email [email protected]