African-American Enrichment - Division of Student Affairs : Mission & History

Mission

The AASEIO promotes awareness and appreciation for the African-American college experience through services, programs, and events that enhance academic excellence and strengthen cultural competence for The University of Toledo campus and surrounding communities.

History

During fall semester 2004 the leadership in the Provost Office and Academic Affairs requested input from key faculty and staff on how to address the declining first-to-second year retention of African-American students. After meeting with several faculty and staff members, the Provost, Dr. Alan Goodrich, Senior Vice Provost, Dr. Rob Sheehan, and three faculty and staff members were asked to collectively pool their ideas in the form of a proposal. Angela Siner, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Selina Griswold, Professor of Business Technology, and Martino Harmon, Director of Freshman Admission, submitted a 15-page proposal. Several other members of the Association of Black Faculty and Staff who provided valuable input to the proposal are: Dr. Helen Cooks (Office of Excellence Programs), Warren Davis (Student Development), Marie Johnson-Ham (University College), Tamara Williams (College of Engineering), and Dr. Carter Wilson (College of Arts and Sciences). The African American Retention Plan called for:

• Establishment of an African-American Cultural Center
• Support for mentorship programs such as Miniya, African-American female mentorship, and a mentorship program for African-American males coordinated by the Student African American Brotherhood (S.A.A.B.)
• Support for leadership development including training and retreats
• Cultural enrichment activities
• Weekly retention workshops called R.A.A.P. (Reaching African American Potential) sessions

Initially the R.A.A.P. sessions were approved and funded first. Thirteen R.A.A.P. sessions were held with the first session taking place January 26, 2005 until the end of April 2005. In order to make R.A.A.P. sessions part of the culture of UT they were scheduled every Wednesday from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. in the Student Union room 3018. Attendance quickly grew to an average of 42 students each week. Student satisfaction was very high, as evidenced by evaluations completed at the end of the year. In addition to the R.A.A.P. sessions, support was provided for a Black Student Union sponsored African-American Graduates Ceremony, held in early May.

After the first few weeks of R.A.A.P. sessions the Provost Office adopted the entire proposal, with revisions, and provided initial base-budget funding. On February 26, 2005 Martino Harmon accepted an offer to serve as Interim Director of the new African-American Student Enrichment Initiatives Office. The Student Union was selected as the first site for the AASEIO office. Over time the office will grow and evolve while improving retention and enhancing the experience for African-American students at The University of Toledo.