Bridging the Gap: Expanding Educational Access for Male Students of Color Through Parent Empowerment
Faculty Mentor Name
Marylou Bagus-Hansen
Abstract
Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), a program that aims to increase the number of young men of color to attend and graduate from colleges and universities.Their vision is a nation in which young men of color are overrepresented in higher education, underrepresented in the criminal justice system, and leaders in their community. Educational equality continues to limit college access and success for many male students of color often due to limited resources, systematic barriers, and the lack of family engagement in their students' academic success. We explored how parent empowerment can help bridge this gap between parents, students, and schools. Our project aims to expand educational access for male students of color through parent empowerment by hosting parent nights, consistently contacting parents after mentorship sessions, and speaking with the students about what we can do to help support their education. By fostering stronger school and family relationships while addressing informational barriers, we hope to see long term educational success. Aligning with IYT’s vision, a dual approach of supporting students through mentorship sessions and investing in their families, we can contribute to a realized future where young men of color are overrepresented in higher education, underrepresented in the criminal justice system, and positioned as leaders within their communities.
Location
DeRosa University Center, University of the Pacific
Start Date
24-4-2026 3:00 PM
End Date
24-4-2026 5:00 PM
Bridging the Gap: Expanding Educational Access for Male Students of Color Through Parent Empowerment
DeRosa University Center, University of the Pacific
Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), a program that aims to increase the number of young men of color to attend and graduate from colleges and universities.Their vision is a nation in which young men of color are overrepresented in higher education, underrepresented in the criminal justice system, and leaders in their community. Educational equality continues to limit college access and success for many male students of color often due to limited resources, systematic barriers, and the lack of family engagement in their students' academic success. We explored how parent empowerment can help bridge this gap between parents, students, and schools. Our project aims to expand educational access for male students of color through parent empowerment by hosting parent nights, consistently contacting parents after mentorship sessions, and speaking with the students about what we can do to help support their education. By fostering stronger school and family relationships while addressing informational barriers, we hope to see long term educational success. Aligning with IYT’s vision, a dual approach of supporting students through mentorship sessions and investing in their families, we can contribute to a realized future where young men of color are overrepresented in higher education, underrepresented in the criminal justice system, and positioned as leaders within their communities.
