CUNY Black Male Initiative
The CUNY Black Male Initiative is a University-wide student development initiative with more than 30 projects focused on increasing matriculation, retention, and graduation rates of underrepresented students, particularly men of color.
CUNY BMI is one expression of CUNY’s commitment to access and diversity. CUNY BMI projects are open to all academically eligible students, faculty and staff, without regard for race, gender, or national origin.
Project Goals
The overall project goals for the Urban Male Leadership Academy (UMLA) at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) for the academic year are a continuation of the program’s emphasis since its inception during the 2005-2006 academic year. UMLA remains devoted to accomplishing the following objectives:
- To increase retention and graduation rates of underserved students, particularly Black and Latino males, at BMCC.
- To ensure that underserved students graduate from BMCC with the academic and vocational skills to succeed in future schooling and the workplace.
- To work collaboratively with identified high schools and community-based organizations to recruit and sustain the number of underserved students in the pipeline to higher education.
- To increase the transfer rate to baccalaureate programs among underserved students.
- To develop an extensive UMLA alumni network to provide mentorship and guidance to current students.
*All programs and activities of the BMCC Urban Male Leadership Academy are open to all BMCC students, faculty and staff, without regard to race, gender, national origin or other characteristic.
