For some college students, using school resources and talking to instructors helps them improve their grades.
For construction management senior Phillip Thomas, taking a spontaneous leap of faith and reaching out for guidance gave him the chance to change his future.
The Black Male Leadership Initiative — a University program that started in spring 2010 — has helped Thomas and other black male students improve grades, engage with professors and achieve goals for college and beyond.
“We are definitely here to help them get to the next level,” said Marco Barker, co-director of BMLI.
The program is divided into two parts. The first, BMLI 2020, is a long-term initiative in which a core team made up of representatives from various parts of campus work to help members achieve excellence in all areas of campus, from Greek Life to athletics, Barker said.
The second part, the Fellows program, is a short-term initiative engaged in helping members communicate with their professors, take advantage of tutoring resources and gain leadership experience through working with others.
Thomas said he was indecisive about which direction to take when he got to college, but advisors in the program helped guide him.
“It showed me, though, that the staff really does care about the well-being of the students,” Thomas said.
The Fellows meet with advisors every year to set out goals and determine the route needed to reach them, said Brylon Crier, BMLI member and finance junior.
“They are good at leading by example,” Crier said.
Fellows are also held to high standards as far as dressing appropriately for meetings and being punctual.
“Marco [Barker] always tells me, ‘you’re on time when you’re ten minutes early,'” Crier said, grinning.
At first, Thomas was uneasy when the other men seemed to be more advanced in their studies.
“They would tell me just keep pushing at it, just keep pushing at it,” Thomas said.
He worked up enough courage to go to a job fair, and everything fell into place from there.
Thomas soon received an internship, then he got a job with Southern Folger Detention Equipment Company, a prison construction firm.
Co-director Chaunda Allen said the program is not necessarily for struggling students. It can be beneficial for all students, whether they are performing well in class, working to keep grades up or deciding which major to choose.
BMLI also provides workshops, leadership and social events and team-building activities, Barker said.
The program partnered with the Young Leaders Academy, a foundation that helps boys in grades 3-8 get prepared and disciplined to attend college. The Fellows tutor and motivate the young men to do well in school.
“The most important thing is that they see higher education as an option,” Barker said.
The Fellows are hoping to host an LSU day this semester for the boys to tour the campus, meet students and speak with professors.
Barker said BMLI’s number of participants has increased, and parents and counselors have taken interest in the program as well.
The only barrier officials believe could hinder the program’s expansion is funding.
“We know that there is a need for the program … and it is just so disheartening that we can’t [take everyone who applies],” Barker said.
 
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Contact Juliann Allen at [email protected]