Developing a Black Student-Led Support Infrastructure at Wayne State University, a Predominantly White Institution

Abstract

In 2018, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) named Wayne State University (WSU) the nation’s fastest-improving university for graduation rates with an increase from 26% to 47% between 2011 and 2017. This growth was influenced by programs and organizations focused on narrowing the student population achievement gap, including men of color. Since 2016, WSU has utilized a culturally competent approach to support Black male students. The approach highlighted here is The Brotherhood, a student-led organization geared toward undergraduate Black men. As part of the larger initiative to increase graduation rates, this organization concentrates on social action and student engagement while encompassing facets of academic, social, and emotional wellness. We conducted a study to obtain quantitative and qualitative data about this organization’s potential impact on Black male undergraduate students. Our results suggest that WSU Black males participating in The Brotherhood have performed better academically than other Black WSU students in their cohort. Additionally, we found that these members learned critical transferable skills applicable to their career fields. Here we describe the fundamental components of The Brotherhood that are attributed to these findings.