Students of color often experience college differently than their white peers. Male students of color encounter considerable obstacles in higher education, predominantly Latino and Black men who have been traditionally underrepresented and have a higher rate of leaving college.
With a goal of bolstering the academic success of Black and Brown men within the CSU system, the Young Males of Color Consortium was initiated through a $3.2-million grant to assist Black, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, and Native American males on Cal State campuses. The 23-campus consortium was established to explore the unique challenges young men of color face during their college experiences and to increase strategies to better support them.
Launched in 2018 and reestablished under the Career Center in 2024, the Male Success Initiative (MSI) was designed to fill the needs of young males of color at Sonoma State by building community, connections, and careers.
"Historically, men of color are not graduating at the same rate as their counterparts. MSI is a safe space for these students to share their challenges, be seen, and be validated. We expose these young men to different resources on campus and find specific allies in each area they can rely on," said Alvin Nguyen, MSI Director of Student Success and Retention.
Nguyen said having groups like MSI as a space for young men to gather in community is essential for their academic journey and invaluable in helping launch their careers after college.
"When students start honing in on their career, it gives them purpose and meaning when they are here," Nguyen said.
Interim Career and Male Success Initiative Advisor Pablo Beas Sanchez said the organization helped him craft a network of support and gave him new skills and resources to confidently navigate higher education so that he can pursue his dreams.
"As a first-generation graduate and fairly new professional, I often struggle with imposter syndrome and question whether I could pursue a master's degree and a Ph.D., which was only a dream before I began working with MSI," Beas Sanchez said.
When students have a sense of belonging, studies show that academic outcomes and their ability to adapt to challenges improve.
Ernesto Macias, MSI Vice Lead and SSU communications student, said the community is helpful, and the career guidance in the group has given him a professional head start.
"We have guest speakers from companies we are interested in; we're focused on building our network, solidifying our resumes, getting headshots, building out our LinkedIn pages, starting internships, and doing everything we need to do to get ready for the real world," he said.
Beas Sanchez said groups like MSI help men of color find like-minded individuals who understand the specific barriers and challenges underrepresented students face.
"We just really want each other to succeed," Macias said.
According to a 2019 report from the National Center for Educational Statistics, the graduation rate for full-time college students at four-year public universities was 54% for Hispanic students, 52% for Pacific Islanders, 40% for Black students, 36% for Native students, and 62% for White students.
"With the right intentionality and purpose, we can move the needle. We can begin narrowing the equity gaps and increase graduation and retention for these students," Nguyen said.
In just its first year of reestablishment, the MSI team has created a network of advocacy that is different from a fraternity or club.
"MSI provides a safe space for the students to form their identities as young men of color who are connecting to the campus community and navigating their journey at the university, as well as after they graduate," he said.
Krista Sherer - Strategic Communications Writer