The Black Student Engagement Program Will Provide Enhanced Services Designed To Help Black Students Successfully Enter And Graduate From College And Prepare For Career Success
San Rafael, Calif. (January 29, 2025) – 10,000 Degrees, a Bay Area organization dedicated to unlocking student success at scale by giving more students equitable opportunities for a quality college education and career success, announced the launch of its Black Student Engagement program. The program is designed to support Black high school and college students with the tools, resources, and knowledge to access, persist, and graduate from college.
“As an organization that strives to ensure equitable access to higher education, we have a responsibility to deeply understand and address the unique challenges faced by Black students, and to develop tailored solutions that empower them to achieve their full potential,” said Kim Mazzuca, 10,000 Degrees president and CEO. “Many Black students face significant barriers to accessing and completing higher education, with persistent gaps in college enrollment and graduation rates compared to their peers. The need for dedicated Black student engagement initiatives has never been more pressing.”
National data show that while Black students are enrolling in college at comparable rates, their completion rates lag significantly behind those of White and Asian students. The disparity in college completion rates among Black students can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including being twice as likely as other students to have caregiving or full-time work responsibilities outside of school and arriving in college inadequately prepared by their high schools (Hechinger Report, 2023). Further, Black students who successfully attain a college degree face additional barriers to their post-graduation success, including greater levels of educational debt than their peers, which reinforces a later-life wealth gap (Brookings, 2021).
In response to the challenges, 10,000 Degrees aims to enhance Black student engagement through the following initiatives:
- Relationship Building: 10,000 Degrees will strengthen ties with students, high schools, community colleges, and organizations dedicated to supporting Black students, including fostering connections with student clubs and community-based organizations.
- Community Awareness and Engagement: Through virtual and in-person initiatives, 10,000 Degrees is aiming to raise awareness in communities of color about its programs and encourage family involvement.
- Collaboration: 10,000 Degrees will work across its programs – particularly College Access, College Success, and Career Success – to provide comprehensive support for Black students.
- Data Collection: 10,000 Degrees will actively monitor engagement and outcomes of its Black students to refine initiatives and ensure their effectiveness.
10,000 Degrees is piloting a new Black Student Engagement Internship program designed to boost Black student engagement, and to raise awareness of 10,000 Degrees programs and resources. Furthermore, Black Student Engagement interns will provide near-peer mentorship to Black students; work to foster supportive communities for students of color on their college campuses; work with local high school students to support their higher education goals; and participate in training and other professional development opportunities that teach leadership, communication and career skills.
Additionally, 10,000 Degrees will provide the following services:
- College Exposure: 10,000 Degrees will continuously organize campus visits and information sessions to familiarize students with universities, including HBCUs.
- Community Colleges: 10,000 Degrees on-site teams will engage with students at its partner community colleges and connect them with vital resources and organizations, such as Black Student Unions.
- Targeted Outreach to High School Athletes: 10,000 Degrees will provide special sessions tailored to athletes on post-secondary pathway options, the 10,000 Degrees scholarship program, and support.
- Presentations and Workshops: 10,000 Degrees will offer tailored sessions for high school and college students on topics such as selecting universities and navigating the college transfer process.
- High School Visits: 10,000 Degrees Access Teams will visit local high schools to support students and engage with student organizations.
- Matriculation Support: 10,000 Degrees will help Black students transition from high school to college, utilizing testimonials from recent graduates to inspire and inform.
- Career Success: 10,000 Degrees will provide specific support for its Black students in preparing for, acquiring, and succeeding in internships and careers related to their field of study.
10,000 Degrees has also introduced the Black Student College Fund, dedicated to empowering Black students pursuing higher education in the Bay Area. The Black Student College Fund aims to increase Black student college enrollment and engagement, help Black students complete their college education, and help them thrive in their careers.
“Education is a powerful tool for social and economic mobility, but too many Black students face barriers that limit their access and success,” said Koree Cox, director of Black Student Engagement at 10,000 Degrees. “10,000 Degrees is committed to being part of the solution. By creating more opportunities for Black students and working alongside our communities, we will build a more equitable future.”