Minority is the term used to represent a relatively small percentage of the population. According to Dr. Bobby Beavers, the coordinator of Minority Student Success, “African Americans are considered a ‘minority’ because we represent a lower percentage than the majority population.”
He added that students who are considered a minority may have a harder time in college.
“There are many reasons for the barriers experienced by African Americans as they pursue a college education,” he said in an email interview. “College readiness is a factor that can impact success or failure. Students may not be ready for the academic rigor of college because of previous educational experiences. Students may not be ready for the financial impact. Many will have to work and go to school to continue to support their families. Students may not be ready for the overall college experience. Also, many African American students are first-generation college students — the first in their families to attend college. Individually or collectively, these factors can impact the expedient and successful completion of a college degree.”
Al Washington, who is Liberal Arts major, started at Sinclair Community College in fall 2011 and has faced his fair share of challenges while earning his degree.
“I never thought I’d be a college student, especially with the life that I was living; education never crossed my mind,” he said. “Now being a returning student, it was very difficult for me. When I first got on campus, I didn’t even know what a syllabus was — that’s how out-of-touch I was with school. I didn’t know the correct way to write an essay or how to do a research paper, so I struggled. I remember staying up until two or three o’clock in the morning with tears in my eyes ready to give up, but I realized that I came a long way.”
He spent time “ripping and running the streets,” but changed his life by becoming a Christian, surrounding himself with supportive people and “believing in the holy spirit.”
He began his time at Sinclair by pursuing a degree in mental health, but later realized that he wanted to change his major. However, he never gave up the idea of working with kids.
“I prayed about it, and a light bulb went off and said ‘I want to be a teacher,’” he said. “Growing up [and] dealing with different issues at a young age, I didn’t have anyone who understood what I was going through … I know what these kids are going through, so who else could relate to these kids and let them know that regardless of their circumstances, there’s always a way out. People miss the beauty of kids and how they develop. Life circumstances can put a hinder on how they develop; they have to grow up fast to have to learn how to survive, so if I can have a part in that to help them — I’m all for it.”
He later started working at a daycare with school-aged boys. There, he helped them with their homework and said the children he worked with changed their attitude and improved their grades.
“By me working with the boys, they had an attitude adjustment. Their grades improved by me working with them,” he said. “I made them believe in themselves. I always shared with them that we are a team, and I put it into terms that boys could understand … And I always shared with them ‘I believe in you, but you’re going to have to believe in yourself,’ so I made them build confidence in themselves.”
He is currently two classes away from completing his degree at Sinclair, and three years away from earning his bachelors and masters degrees at Wright State University. He also serves as the president of the African American Culture Club, and he works in the Psychology department. He advises students to never give up.
“I never gave up on myself, and I worked hard and stayed dedicated to my craft so I could perfect myself day in and day out,” he said. “Everything is a humbling experience. I appreciate it, and I’m blessed and humbled; I’m no better than the next person.”