SJRCC PRESS RELEASE July 2007 Senator Tony Hill recruits SJRCC for minority/educational efforts Senator Tony Hill recently headed a panel discussion with St. Johns River Community College administrators to discuss ideas on the recruitment and retention of minority college students. Hill, an African-American who represents sections of Putnam and St. Johns counties, told the SJRCC panel that education is the way out of a generational curse. "It's our way out," Hill said. "How can we create conditions where we can produce someone who gives back to the community instead of falling through the cracks?" SJRCC President Dr. Robert L. McLendon Jr. agreed. "Senator Hill is sounding the alarm," he said. "Now is the time to put change into action." Dr. Edward Jordan, Dean of Counseling, Advising and Student Services, and Dr. Geraldine Smith, Dean of Academic Success and Student Retention, presented Hill with a report on the College's current recruitment plan - College Success Ð designed to track minority high school students and target them as potential college candidates. According to a state report given by Annette Barrineau, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, the college's fall 2006 enrollment closely reflected the population numbers in the tri-county area and exceeded them in the African-American and Hispanic statistics. The SJRCC panel also agreed that efforts need to begin at the elementary level. Joe Pickens, Special Counsel to the President, said that the preparation for successful education begins at home. "If you ask a kindergarten teacher what is the impediment for success for students, it's that they weren't prepared for kindergarten," he said, adding that students who fall behind early academically will most likely continue to struggle throughout their education. Another consensus was the lack of positive minority role models. Hill suggested to find ways to fund a program that would put male minority teachers into elementary classrooms. Orange Park Campus Provost Dr. Bill Simmons agreed. "Black male students will be more likely to listen to and obey a black male teacher," he said. The panel concluded that with fall registration now in progress, educators need to become ambassadors. Hill said that it begins by breaking down barriers and giving a more personal touch. "Be there to tell everyone about the college and its opportunities," he said. "People want to follow... and soon they'll say 'I can do that.' " Return to SJRCC home page.