University System of Georgia's African-American Male Initiative Marks 10th year

Nearly 300 attend conference focused on helping black males succeed in state's colleges and universities

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Sep 27, 2012, 01:04 ET

KENNESAW, Ga., Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The University System of Georgia's African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) — a nationally recognized program aimed at enhancing the recruitment, retention and graduation of black males within Georgia's public colleges and universities — kicked of its AAMI 10th Anniversary Conference today at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta. The conference will run through Saturday, Sept. 29.

Some 300 AAMI program administrators and student participants from 25 USG campuses, along with notable dignitaries and guest speakers, are gathering for two days of activities aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for Georgia's African-American male students. The conference is designed to share best program practices across the university system, to honor exceptional programs and to recognize individuals who contribute to the initiative's success.

"We've assembled a highly impressive group of leaders, scholars, entrepreneurs and celebrities to help celebrate this very important milestone for the AAMI, which in fewer than 10 years has dramatically increased the number of African American males matriculating at the state's public colleges and universities," said AAMI Project Director Arlethia Perry-Johnson.

Since AAMI's inception in fall 2002, black male enrollment in the University System of Georgia has increased almost 81 percent, from 17,068 students in fall 2002, to 30,847 in fall 2011. In addition, the number of bachelor's degrees conferred annually to African-American males at USG institutions has jumped by 58.11 percent, from 1,294 Black male students awarded bachelor's degrees in fiscal year 2003, to 2,046 students awarded degrees in fiscal year 2011.

FOR MORE CONFERENCE DETAILS, visit: http://www.usg.edu/aami/bestpractices12/

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE USG's AAMI, visit: http://www.usg.edu/aami

FULL PRESS RELEASE ABOUT THE CONFERENCE, visit http://www.usg.edu/aami/bestpractices12/News_Release-AAMI_10th_Anniversary_Conference.pdf

SOURCE Kennesaw State University