About the Program
Men of Color in Education (MCE) is designed to recruit and support Latino and African American/Black undergraduate men towards obtaining a teaching credential program, and ultimately becoming a teacher for social change. The program provides culturally relevant academic advising and career counseling services and is also designed to improve belongingness and inclusion for undergraduate men of color, foster professional development and academic success, and serve as a community of educators who are committed to social and educational justice.
Men of Color in Education (MCE) is committed to creating and maintaining a culture of resiliency and determination as a way to increase student engagement, retention, and graduation rates for future male educators of color. MCE students are provided with the opportunity to explore and learn more about pursuing a teaching credential program(s) and careers in education while also understanding what it means to be a man and educator of color in our society.
How Our Story Began
In 2014, the College of Education was one of ten institutions in the United States invited to participate in the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Black and Hispanic/Latino Network Improvement Community. These campuses were charged with working together to address the shortage crisis of Black and Hispanic/Latino male teachers. The work produced from these teams is permanently highlighted on the AACTE website for other campuses to review and utilize as best practices.
The lessons learned from this work, spurred our campus to develop the Men of Color in Education program as a permanent commitment to this work.
