by Ryan Floersheim
Daily Lobo
Attempting to increase black enrollment at UNM, two programs on campus have combined efforts to provide an informative, casual setting for high school students to help ease their transition into the next level of education.
African American Student Day, co-sponsored by African American Student Services and Recruitment Services, was an opportunity for black high school upper-classmen from across the state to talk to UNM students with similar backgrounds, listen to motivational speakers on the importance of a college education and learn the intricacies involved with preparing for college.
"Our goal is to ensure that students have the information they need to succeed in college and help them decide whether or not UNM is right for them," said Jocelyn Gamble-Mims, senior student program adviser for African American Student Services. "There is a shockingly low number of black students enrolled at UNM, and we want to show possible students that there is a place for them on this campus."
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According to African American Student Services, blacks make up only three percent of New Mexico's entire population, and as of the fall 2001 semester, students of black descent made up only 2.99 percent the UNM student body.
Guest speakers at the event were Eliseo Torres, vice president for Student Affairs and Ricardo Maestas, executive affairs director for the President's Office. They focused their speeches on the changing world and the critical importance of having a college degree to succeed today. There were also guided tours of the campus.
Representatives from several UNM departments showed up to provide relevant information to the potential students, including Housing and Financial Aid.
"This is an effective means of outreach to the African American community to improve recruitment and retention efforts of possible students," said Ron Martinez, director of the Financial Aid Department. "The purpose of the event was to make the college application process as smooth as possible."
The program, which is in 16th year, also included smaller group meetings where prospective students had the chance to talk to UNM students majoring in areas that interested them.
"We wanted to provide the students with as much possible information in the departments they are interested in," said Scott Carreathers, director of African American Student Services. "Our ultimate goal is to make sure that African American students are acclimated to the college process and UNM."
Carreathers said that many black students in the state do not realize the opportunities available to them here at UNM and as a result do not consider it an option for their future. He added that another aspect of African American Student Day is motivation towards post-secondary education, but said that getting the students here is the main goal.
Students in attendance came from high schools across the state, including Carlsbad, Alamogordo, all of the Albuquerque high schools and Rio Rancho.
"We wanted to provide a casual setting so the students could be relaxed around people they could relate to that are in the same situation," said Orlando Leavell, student program adviser for African American Student Services.
"A college degree is realistic to anyone that asserts themselves, and we wanted to help them see how much brighter their futures can become by taking their education to the next level."
