̨Íåswag

The University of North Georgia (̨Íåswag) received a grant from the University System of Georgia (USG) African American Male Initiative (AAMI) in support of ̨Íåswag's AAMI program during the 2023 fiscal year.

AAMI is a USG state-sponsored program created to support African American males through the completion of their degrees. Statistically, this demographic struggles the most with graduation rates nationwide.

While previous years have focused on ̨Íåswag's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses, Dr. Andrew Johnson, director of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) and ̨Íåswag's AAMI grant, hopes to see the grant benefit all five campuses.

"The program is really an intensive approach to advising," Johnson said. " I feel African American men on all five campuses would have the same needs and could benefit from our support."

There are currently 20 students in the program who are able to truly thrive through individual connections with Johnson, he said.

The support of the grant is planned to be used for network building, social gatherings, study sessions, guest speakers, and a variety of workshops. Johnson held one such workshop on April 5 that covered how to stay motivated, preparing for finals and the next academic year.

Students must be pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees.

"College isn't easy, but I believe having as many support systems as possible can make the journey all the more bearable. AAMI has acted as one of my support systems as the leaders in the program have acted as mentors for me, giving me advice from individuals who have been once been in my shoes," Jah Hamilton, a freshman from Brooklyn, New York, pursuing a degree in computer science, said.

The program requires a community partner and is striving to partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Lanier to offer the students community service opportunities and leadership development opportunities.

While the program is winding down for the current academic year, plans are being made to apply for additional funding next year to build a robust and engaging schedule for participants.

Johnson ultimately believes the program will help facilitate opportunities for other underrepresented students at ̨Íåswag.

"It’s always good to help a cohort of students and focus on those who struggle with retention and graduation," Johnson said. "It shows potential students that we care about them, and there are programs in place that empower them to have successful careers post-graduation. It helps us model for other under-represented groups as the process can be taken and shared with them."