Pandemic Hits Black Male Community College Students Hard: Report

A national trend flagged by The 74 that shows steep declines in community college enrollment is playing out in the Hudson Valley.

The 74 looked at the most recent numbers from the National Student Clearinghouse and found that Black male students have been hardest hit. "This cratering of male enrollment at community colleges — just updated in November — is a fresh development; everyone is scrambling to figure it out," wrote Richard Whitmire.

Dr. Michael A. Baston, President of Rockland Community College, told Patch it is happening locally, and it's not hard to understand why. The coronavirus pandemic has had a critical impact on Black male students, he said.

"To start with, the number of potential Black male college enrollees is already challenged by high-school graduate numbers that are not robust depending on the community," Baston said.

"Add to this the reality that, as data on COVID-19 demonstrates, Black males are more likely to be sicker, poorer, or working in low wage, high-risk front lines positions as essential workers," he said.

Many reports have documented how the pandemic has been harder for African Americans and other groups, Dr. Belinda Miles, President of Westchester Community College, told Patch.

The 74 reported that of the fall enrollment losses nationwide, Black males show a 19.2 percent enrollment drop, Hispanic males a 16.6 percent decline, and white males a 14 percent drop.

Miles said WCC has been trying several approaches to help.

"We have worked to keep students enrolled and on track by providing financial support, loaner laptops, food distribution and remote support services, including mental health. We’ve been very intentional about redesigning our support systems using cohort and case management models to address barriers and propel students toward successful completion and opportunity," she said.

"For those students stopping out for employment opportunities, we encourage short-term certifications in fields like IT and health careers that lead to good paying jobs more quickly with eventual degree completion options and higher wage prospects down the road," she said.

Baston said many one-time students beleaguered by fragile economic circumstances feel the pressure to make a significant investment of time in the promise of gig economy financial immediacy — Door Dash, Instacart, Grub Hub, Uber, and Uber Eats, among others.

"Stopping or dropping out of college is not a matter of choice for many Black males. It is a matter of economic life and death for themselves and their families," Baston said. "While community college is an essential gateway to the American dream, when you do not have enough time to sleep from working, you live in your nightmares, and dreams become a luxury you do not think you can afford."