For a host of reasons, men and women of color are far less likely than their white and Asian peers to earn college degrees. A recent study by the College Board determined that, as of 2008, only 16 percent of Latino and 28 percent of African-American men ages 25 to 34 had obtained an associate degree or higher. That compares with 44 percent of white men and 70 percent of Asian men. Similarly, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of 2010, only 10 percent of Latina, 6 percent Asian and 11 percent of African-American females had obtained an associate degree or higher. That compares with 66 percent of white females.

The Attain to Retain Conference aims to help narrow these gaps by assisting college-age under-represented students to understand the challenges they face and the critical need to overcome those challenges if they are to succeed in college and beyond. Participants will have the opportunity to meet and talk with a panel of distinguished experts who will offer them coping strategies and direction geared to helping them be successful in college.

The conference, which takes place on January 19, 2013 from 9:30 to 4:00 at Florida Gulf Coast University Cohen Center, is free and open to all students from the following institutions:

• Edison State College
• Florida Gulf Coast University
• Hodges University

It takes place January 19, 2013 at Florida Gulf Coast University Cohen Center. For more information, contact the Office of Community Outreach at 239-590-1258 or communityoutreach@fgcu.edu.

View The Conference Schedule