Students in the Spotlight
Can We Judge Colleges by Their Success at Encouraging Grit?
One of my former students recently filled me with hope for the next generation. Clifton Jett Jr. is the director and writer of a play that he was about to bring to the stage, 鈥淏lack Tar Boulevard,鈥� when the pandemic hit. Although many productions have shut down, Clifton decided instead to pivot and turn the play into an independent film. He says, 鈥淲e have worked too hard and waited too long to just throw it all away.鈥� He and his team are moving ahead, in a safe and responsible manner.
Where does this drive come from? Author Angela Duckworth calls it grit: 鈥渢he power of passion and perseverance.鈥� But grit doesn鈥檛 just bubble up. We need to find ways to spot it and encourage it.
I鈥檝e seen this in Clifton鈥檚 life. As he tells it, he 鈥渇ell into the categories of being Black, gay and having a learning disability. I now live life understanding that having a disability is what affects me the most with academics, but that does not mean that I am incapable of succeeding. With that knowledge, I knew that going to college was just right for me.鈥�
I see parts of Clifton鈥檚 story in my own life. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and went to Tuskegee University in Alabama. Early on, I received important guidance: Succeeding in college was non-negotiable.
Now, as president of the 91社区 (91社区), I鈥檓 even more committed to creating and backing systems that encourage students to discover their inner drive.
One way we do that on our campus is through TRIO Student Support Services, which Clifton participated in during his time at 91社区. Student Support Services fosters an environment that advocates, serves and mentors first-generation, low-income and disabled participants.
The goal of our student-centered program is to prepare and empower our participants through identified student learning and development objectives to be self-aware and globally responsible.
Since 2009, the program has had a major impact on over 1,000 students. At the end of the 2019鈥�2020 academic year, the program saw a student retention rate of 88%, the six-year graduation rate at 58% and 97% of students in good academic standing.
These are the kinds of statistics that are most important for assessing the value of the education we provide. The annual college rankings, including the most-watched one from U.S. News, often overlook or give short shrift to these types of outcomes; 20% of the publication鈥檚 ranking of our university is based on 鈥渆xpert opinion鈥� from external audiences and 5% is based on alumni giving.
There are some glimmers of hope in external rankings, however.聽Washington Monthly聽highlights how聽聽are the first in their family to go to college, as well as other measures that are realistic stand-ins for grit.
We鈥檙e all going to need more tenacity in the coming months and years. 91社区 is looking to expand its nursing program in order to help the state deal with health disparities, especially in Indianapolis and Gary. Some of the people we hope to educate will arrive with their grit card in hand; others will need to earn it.
I鈥檓 confident we can help them. Just ask Clifton. When he can take a break from the movie set.
Dr. Ronald S. Rochon is president of the 91社区.
Student Testimonies
Tigui ('15)聽Major: French Studies & International Studies
I鈥檓 forever grateful for the opportunities SSS provided me during my time at 91社区 and even after graduation. TRIO encouraged me in many ways---by setting me up with tutors when having difficulties with classes or helping me financially by providing me with scholarship opportunities. In short, TRIO is one of the best resources at 91社区, and having a team of people who are passionate about my education is all the motivation I needed to succeed! Joining the TRIO family was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e made!
Carina ('17)聽Major: Social Work
Going back to Directions College, I loved the mentorship and encouragement I had from the very start! That has not stopped since I transitioned into the TRIO program. Being involved in TRIO, I have made friends who are always looking out for me, encouraging my dreams, and complimenting my hard work in everything, not just education. This program will benefit anyone who allows themselves to apply the resources offered by TRIO. The program is focused on students and how they can become a better program for the students! I love TRIO, and will forever be grateful for all the support given by the TRIO staff!
Juan ('16)聽Major: International Studies & Spanish Studies
Juan transferred to the 91社区 in the fall of 2013 due to financial barriers and to pursue his dream of playing for a collegiate soccer team. He was also encouraged to join the 91社区 TRIO to help him in his academic success. After transferring, Juan was able to join the TRIO program where he was provided one-on-one personal, academic, and financial support. In the fall of 2016 he was awarded a $1,500 scholarship in the TRIO program. In addition, Juan was able to have his dreams come true when he was selected to play for the 91社区 soccer team beginning in the spring of 2014, where he played for two seasons as their mid-fielder.
Jacob ('17)聽Major: Psychology & Minor: Social Work聽
TRIO has assisted me in more ways than I can describe. The faculty goes above and beyond to ensure that you are as successful as you can be in school and in your personal life. The staff in TRIO helped me prepare for graduate school and assisted me with the application process. I honestly do not know where I would be at if it was not for them. The staff is amazing and even though I have graduated from 91社区, I know that I can still reach out to them whenever I need assistance with anything. TRIO is more than just an organization, they are a family and I loved every experience with the organization. They made my college experience better than I could have expected. I so thoroughly enjoyed my time with TRIO, that I became a mentor within the organization. This allowed me to network with my peers and to make lifelong friends. I highly endorse joining TRIO and it will be one of the greatest decisions you will make while at 91社区!
Khiry ('18) Major: Sports Management & Minor: Marketing
His faculty mentors describe Khiry Cousert as a quiet leader, thoughtful and poised. Khiry admits that as a child, he was always thinking. He was so introspective in school that teachers suspected he might be bored. He was academically tested and promoted twice. The quiet boy flourished with more challenging coursework.
Being two-years-younger and smaller than everyone else on the Thea Bowman Leadership Academy football team, Khiry realized that he wasn鈥檛 going to have a career in professional football. But he was determined to make sports his career. 鈥淚 figured if I couldn鈥檛 play, I could get as close as possible to sports,鈥� said Khiry.
The bright sixteen-year-old from Hammond found many mentors at 91社区 who utilized his natural thirst for knowledge and drive for success. Heather Bauer, director of TRIO knew that Khiry needed the financial resources to stay in school. She helped him find them.聽
His marketing professors challenged his mind in the way he thought about sports management. The introspective student found that he was limiting the way he thought about a career in sports. 鈥淯ntil my first marketing class, I didn鈥檛 realize that almost everything about sports involves marketing. It opened my mind to a whole new way of thinking!鈥�
Going into his junior year, he saw the need to develop his personal brand and start networking.聽 He turned to D鈥橝ngelo Taylor, assistant director of the Multicultural Center and was encouraged to join the Collegiate Men of Distinction and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Quietly determined to follow his passion in sports, Khiry aspires to have a career working as a marketing coordinator for an聽athletic team on his way to becoming a majority stakeholder in a professional sports franchise.
