Hello from the African American Academic Network Family!

Carlotta Johnson-McGowan

As the Interim-Director of the African American Academic Network program, it has always been my belief that "It Takes a Village" to increase the retention rates of African American students at UIC. Therefore, I would like to issue a call for collective responsibility for the retention of African American students to UIC's faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community leaders. Johnson's article (1988) emphasizes, "the retention of Black students is a matter that must be undertaken by everyone" in a higher education institution (p. 47). Commitment across faculty/staff lines is critical to helping Black students, particularly those from disadvantaged academic backgrounds, to succeed.