"Brother 2 Brother": A strategy to ease adjustment to college life and facilitate success for men of color

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

5196.0: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #42516

Robert E. Aronson, DrPH, MPH¹, Willie Baber, PhD², and Shanita Wooten¹. (1) School of Health & Human Performance, Dept. of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 437 HHP Bldg, P.O. Box 26169, Greensboro, NC 27402-6169, 336-256-0119, rearonso@uncg.edu, (2) Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26169, Greensboro, NC 27402-6169

This paper describes an applied ethnographic study of male students-of-color and issues related to adjustment and success at a large public university in North Carolina (UNCG). Through focus groups, individual interviews and weekly meetings with an informal network of male students-of-color (named by the participants as "Brother 2 Brother") this study addressed the following specific aims:

o explore among a sample of African American men enrolled at UNCG what it means to be a male student-of-color at the UNCG campus specifically, and in Greensboro more generally; and

o Provide support and technical assistance in needs assessment, program planning, and program evaluation to student leaders within Brother 2 Brother in order to enhance their support to male students-of-color, and to improve the likelihood of network sustainability.

This research project combines cutting edge research on masculinity with an identified and significant problem at UNCG that requires intervention (low retention rates among male students-of-color). Appropriate strategies for dealing with contemporary racism, perceived and real, are needed as an important attribute of masculinity. Brother 2 Brother is a vehicle for learning such strategies and acquiring appropriate skills. Findings from the study will be described, including: important themes related to adjustment to college life; definitions of masculinity and their relationship to adjustment to college life and success as a man; and strategies used by Brother 2 Brother to support male students-of-color in adjusting to and succeeding in college life.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

o understand some of the important factors that make adjustment to college difficult for male students-of-color at a predominantly white public university;
o describe the importance of masculine constructs to issues of adjustment and success for male students-of-color at a predominantly white public university;
o identify strategies to support male students-of-color in adjusting to and succeeding in college life.

Keywords: African American, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA