A2MEND: The African American Male Education Network Development - A2MEND

The African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND) is a transformative program that focuses on providing mentorship, academic support, leadership development, and systemic advocacy specifically designed to empower African American male students within California Community Colleges.

Program Focus, Highlights, and Impact

Focus Areas

Mentorship: Connection with culturally competent faculty, staff, and community leaders.
Academic Support: Tutoring, counseling, and success-focused workshops.
Leadership Development: Opportunities in student government, peer mentoring, and community service.
Advocacy: Institutional and statewide efforts to advance equity and close opportunity gaps.

Program Highlights

Annual Statewide Conferences
Engage with hundreds of students and educators to network, build leadership skills, and explore transfer and career pathways.
Leadership Summits
Focused on personal development, mental wellness, cultural identity, and civic responsibility.
Transfer Success Programs
Tailored resources to support seamless transfer to CSU, UC, and HBCU institutions.
Culturally Relevant Mentorship
Grounded in the lived experiences of Black men navigating higher education and leadership.

Program Impact

Increased Retention & Completion
A²MEND students are more likely to persist, complete programs, and transfer successfully.
Higher Graduation Rates
Structured support leads to increased certificate and degree attainment.

Eligibility

Must be a currently enrolled student at Pasadena City College.

How to Stay Active in A²MEND

To remain in good standing within the program, participants must:

Attend weekly A²MEND Club meetings on Thursdays during college hour.
Participate in Mentor Mondays (monthly meetings; no more than 3 absences per semester).
Meet with a counselor twice each semester to stay aligned with your educational plan.
Take part in program events, meetings, and conferences throughout the academic year.