The James A. Rousseau Minority Male Mentoring Program at Forsyth Technical Community College has partnered with Carver, Glenn and North Forsyth high schools to make students more aware of the many varied educational opportunities available at Forsyth Tech.
“We want to make these young men aware of the career opportunities available that don’t have a desire to attend a four year college,” said Minority Male Mentoring Program Coordinator Gregory Young. “If a four year degree is the goal, we have an articulation agreement with the 16 public North Carolina Colleges and Universities to prepare the young men for that through our College Transfer program.”
The three high schools were chosen to partner with the Minority Male Mentoring Program. The three schools were chosen because of their high minority student populations. Each school chose 10 seniors whom they felt would most benefit from the program.
On Nov. 8, students from Carver took a field trip to the new Forsyth Technical Community College Transportation Technology Center on Patterson Avenue and the school’s main campus off Silas Creek Parkway. Carver Teacher James McMillan accompanied the students from Carver on the outing, which was arranged by Tonya Withers, director of Student Services at Carver, who serves as a liaison between Forsyth Tech and Carver High.
The students received information about the numerous degree and certificate programs and learned about financial aid opportunities. During the visit, former and current students talked about how Forsyth Tech and the Minority Male Mentoring Program have made a difference in their lives.
“The trip was very informative. It opened my eyes to the benefits of Forsyth Tech. I realized how important deadlines are and how cost effective it is to begin my education at Forsyth Tech,” stated Natrone Brown, a student at Carver High School.
Carlos Sosa, also a Carver student, is happy to have been chosen to take part.
“It feels good to have been chosen for this opportunity to see how I can further my education,” he said. “There are many educational programs that can lead to stable employment. Not many Hispanics have the chance to get better jobs. My parents didn’t have many options.”
The new Transportation Center was a highlight for Trenton Slade.
“I want to pursue a career in automotive mechanics or an electrical trade,” the Carver student said. “I was excited about the facility and see myself attending Forsyth Technical Community College.”
Young is hoping to expand the Minority Male Mentoring Program to other high schools in the future. At Forsyth Tech, the James A. Rousseau Minority Male Mentoring Program, which is named for the former Forsyth Tech administrator who founded the program, provides appropriate support services and other incentives to enable more minority male students to successfully complete their educational objectives.
