By: Ashmar Mandou

Recently, City Colleges of Chicago announced a new initiative called Men of Color in Education (MCE) designed to support men of color pursuing careers in the education field. MCE will launch on three distinct tracks in summer 2019, and will provide students with college coursework, mentorship, and work-based learning experiences.

“This initiative has so many positive components to it – Chicago students will benefit from seeing more people who look like them at the heads of their classrooms, and talented young men will benefit from pursuing a career that gives them the chance to develop the next generation of leaders of our city,” said City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado.  The Men of Color in Education initiative will be led by men of color in the education field across Chicago. These educators will work closely with three groups of students who are interested in pursuing a career in education. The MCE initiative is three semesters, and students can earn a college-level early childhood credential or 15 transfer credits.

“There is a void when it comes to men of color in education, and this unique initiative—which was built by educators and for educators—allows Truman and City Colleges to help fill that need,” said Dr. Shawn Jackson, President of Truman College, which is City Colleges’ center of excellence in education, human and natural sciences and has taken the lead on guiding education programs at City Colleges.  “With an esteemed group of mentors and strong support from CPS and our communities, these students will make up the next wave of minority leaders in education.”

The students will pursue an early childhood or education credential at City Colleges, with all classes for the MCE students offered at Truman College. “We’re working together with our partners to help bolster the pipeline of quality educators who reflect the students they serve, which exemplifies our underlying belief that the strength of our district lies in our diversity,” CPS Chief Education Officer LaTanya D. McDade. “We must invest in a diverse educator pipeline and by extending our hands as mentors, we can build and empower the leaders of tomorrow.” Students who have not yet completed a degree or credential will be given preference.  To learn more about the Men of Color in Education initiative or to apply, students should contact Hollie Ware-Jaye at 773-907-4456 or hwarejaye@ccc.edu.