Postsecondary education is a bridge to equity and economic opportunity that not only boosts individuals, but the communities in which they live. Black and Latino males, however, all too often fail to attain these benefits and, in fact, are losing ground faster than ever. Young Men of Talent (YMT) program will address this crisis head on.
Young Men of Talent (YMT) program aims to ensure that Black and Latino males nationwide access and graduate from college prepared to enter the workforce. The pilot, which will initially support 100 Black and Latino males from high school through graduation at the University of Vermont (UVM). The first group of 20 YMT scholars entered UVM in August 2023, and the next two cohorts of 40 YMT scholars each will enter UVM in 2024 and 2025. YMT scholars will be selected from CFES and other schools across the country.
On The News
Success Program Launch: Supporting Black and Latino Men
A new partnership between CFES Brilliant Pathways and the University of Vermont (UVM) will prepare students for the workforce as they work toward a college degree. Young Men of Talent will launch in fall 2023, aiding 100 college Black and Latino men in the first seven years.
The Diversity Issue on College Campuses This Fall That May Surprise You
At universities nationwide, women greatly outnumber men, with huge ramifications for the economy and society. Philanthropy can help correct the imbalance. Colleges will confront a problematic diversity issue as students return to campus in the coming weeks, but not the one the Supreme Court recently made top of mind.
The Effect of Gender Disparities on Men
In 1972, when Title IX was passed to help improve gender equality on campus, men were 13% more likely to get an undergraduate degree than women. Today, it’s women who are 15% more likely to get a BA than men. That’s just one of the startling statistics revealing how millions of young men today are struggling to understand how or where they fit in. Correspondent Lee Cowan talks with Brookings Institution senior fellow Richard Reeves about his new initiative, the American Institute for Boys and Men; with students at the University of Vermont, where women make up 62% of this year’s freshman class; and with Kalamazoo Promise in Michigan, a scholarship program reaching out to young men who haven’t been taking advantage of the help being offered towards higher education.
Program Components
Paid summer internships in career fields of interest
Successful business and education leaders will hold regular virtual and in-person meetings with their students throughout the year. These mentors will also help students obtain paid summer internships in their fields of interest and guide them through training modules developed by CFES to ensure their success at UVM and prepare them for the workplace.
24/7 Mentoring Support
Near-peer mentors will be available to help guide students. These peer mentors will be trained by CFES and will work closely with UVM leaders, who will provide academic support, counseling, and other services as needed.
Academic Support
These advisors will meet with their advisees at least once monthly and will assign tutors as needed, provide research opportunities, and actively participate in the team that ensures all YMT students graduate.
Support from UVM’s Top Leaders
A key to removing institutional obstacles for these students is the support and commitment of UVM’s top leaders. To help make this happen, every YMT student will meet with the president or provost twice annually.
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