Howard Community College

days and engage in a variety of outreach activities, including sit-down discussions and friendly athletic games with Howard County police officers. "This program really elevated me," said Carroll. "It gave me a support system and so many opportunities." Carroll was accepted to University of Maryland, Baltimore County for social work, but is postponing college to enlist in the military. He plans to use the GI Bill to obtain his bachelor's degree at a later date. Carroll knows he will bring the leadership skills he gained at HCC to the military. He will also carry with him the purpose, respect, initiative, determination, and excellence that are central to P.R.I.D.E. Experiential Learning: Internships Offer On-The-Job Learning Chastity Carter was always interested in law enforcement, and her internship with the Howard County Police Department gave her certainty that it was the career she was meant to have. "The police welcomed me right away as a part of their community," recalled Carter. Each week brought a new experience. She helped staff the northern district intake office and went out with the southern district's ride-along unit. She even got to shadow detectives with the criminal investigations unit, listening in as cases were discussed in detail. In addition to her 16 hours a week with the police, Carter earned academic credit through the college's cooperative education program, which teaches professional development skills, provides a forum for discussing internships, and offers support as students navigate new experiences and challenges. Students are also matched with faculty advisors in their field. Carter matched with Professor Evelyn Del Rosario, a criminal justice department coordinator. In addition to overseeing a written assignment, Del Rosario checked in with Carter to see how the internship was meeting expectations. She encouraged Carter and other students to reflect on how they could bring value to the employer—and vice versa. Del Rosario sees her role as that of a mentor. "For many of our students, it's their first professional job. The faculty role is to ask them, what can you do to actively participate in this internship?" Carter plans to graduate and transfer in 2018 to pursue a career in cybersecurity and forensics. She's eager to explore job opportunities with the FBI or the Howard County Police. The Job Outlook 2018 survey published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers highlighted the importance of internships. According their success. Fast forward to today: 170 students are engaged in P.R.I.D.E. activities, with ten serving as peer leaders. The program employs two full-time staff and a cadre of tutors. Over the past four years, Howard P.R.I.D.E. students are retained at greater numbers compared to all African American/ Black males. The current rate for P.R.I.D.E. students continuing at HCC or completing college is 70 percent. Assistant Director Geoffrey Colbert credits much of the program's success to the strong support the program receives from colleagues across the college and generous donors. When the data showed a dip in outcome measures several years ago, the college analyzed the program and found it grew without sufficient resources. Staff positions were added, and lunch vouchers now ensure students in need receive meals. (about 75 percent of P.R.I.D.E. participants qualify for Pell grants, higher education's indicator of low income students). In the program, students play an active role in designing their activities, such as determining how to celebrate students who are graduating or transferring. They also participate in Tuesday professional dress t 2017 Howard P.R.I.D.E. graduates with Geoffrey Colbert, assistant director (at left). 10 Howard Community College

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