There has been national attention focused on men of color. Research has shown that male students of color, particularly African American and Latino males, are completing college at a much lower rate than their white peers. As part of CT State Norwalk’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the college launched a Men of Color Initiative in February 2021 called UPLIFT. The program is designed to empower, inform, and encourage men of color to reach their highest academic potential. Although the formal program has been up and running since 2021, the UPLIFT concept and practice have been in place for 13 years, thanks to our founders Alfred Thomas, Jr. and Curtis Antrum.
The mission of the Unlocking Potential Leaders’ Insight For Tomorrow (UPLIFT) program is to provide a corridor to academic and career excellence for men of color students through discipline and focus on the tasks that lie ahead.
UPLIFT, through a holistic approach, will empower, educate, provide leadership, and motivate male students of color through active engagement by promoting an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment. This process will increase student’s success rates and generate a culture of high achievement and high expectations for men of color.
Background
The UPLIFT program at CT State Norwalk is designed to recruit, retain, and graduate men of color. Uplift provides academic support and guidance to help students improve their academic performance and self-confidence. UPLIFT will maximize the participant's involvement by building their tool-kit needed to plan, prepare and excel in class at Norwalk.
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