LUBBOCK -
There is a group at Texas Tech that is serious about improving the success of students. The organization was recognized in a national report. Leaders of Mentor Tech are echoing the university's message: 'From here it is possible.'
Sophomore Kendall Payne said he made the right choice to attend Tech.
"I liked Lubbock, because it is small and there aren't many distractions," he said.
Payne is part of Mentor Tech, which was just recognized nationally in a report by the Education Trust.
"It lets me know that Mentor Tech is doing a great job as far as reaching out to the African American, or the minority community in general," he said.
The national research report found that grad rates for black students at public four-year colleges and universities hasn't been large or fast enough to close the gaps between them and white students. The report featured 52 institutions across the nation that is working to close the gaps. Mentor Tech is one of the programs highlighted.
Director Cory Powell said the organization started in 2002.
''In terms of closing the gaps, we have to provide students avenues to get into the university," he said. "We have to work with the high schools, and it starts with the junior high schools, and elementary school preparing them to understand the importance of college, and that it is the expectation.''
Powell said in his opinion we have to make college more affordable.
"Because a lot of the students that we are talking about may come from underrepresented populations, and are typically first generation college students," he said.
He said grad rates for black students at Tech has increased by 19 percent in the last decade. He said 56 percent who are enrolled will graduate.
"Our job, as I see it, is to connect the dots," Powell said. "We want to make it as difficult as possible for students to fail. If a student doesn't do well here, it is by his or her own choice.''
Payne said seeing someone who looks like him doing the work is very motivating.
"In the beginning it is not seeing other people from your race, ethnicity, or background do what you want to do," he said. "So, once you get an example like a mentor in your life, and you see that they have done it makes you more apt to wanting to do it as well."
Powell said sometimes students think they can't compete.
"Because of whatever they have heard that the university setting is not for them, but for us it is showing them," he said. "Like what I was saying, reach out to them earlier giving them that insight, affordability, access, and then support."
Powell said he isn't sure if the gap will ever close.
"The numbers are not the same," Powell said. "The African American community is only 12 percent of the U.S. population.''
He said he would like to see more students overall graduate.
"You know, 56 percent of blacks who graduate from Tech that start, I want to see that number closer to 80, or 90 percent, likewise for Hispanics I want to see that be closer, because that is where we get the achievement gap," he said.
Mentor Tech does community outreach, and makes sure students get encouragement to succeed by having mentors.
"You have to show them from here is possible, and you have to help them along the path," he said.
Since it started, Mentor Tech has served more than 3,200 students. It hosts several academic and career workshops throughout the year. To view the report, click here.
