Multicultural Affairs invites students to apply for the Men of Color Initiative (MCI). MCI is a program designed to support, empower, and explore issues unique to the experience of self-identified men of color in higher education. Through mentorship by peers, faculty, and staff, MCI promotes leadership development, provides academic support, and offers service learning opportunities. MCI strives to empower and develop the next generation of leaders on campus and beyond Syracuse University. While MCI aims to support the needs of self identified men of color in particular, the program and all activities are open to all eligible students without regard to race, gender, national origin, or other characteristics. Research has found that the second year of college is often a period in which students encounter increasing academic, developmental, and social demands (Sterling, 2018). Additionally, research has shown the third-year experience is a pivotal point in an undergraduate student's experience. During their third year, undergraduate students experience more demanding academic challenges, actively seek experience in areas of interest through internships, volunteering, summer jobs and/or research with professors, and change their physical relationship with campus as they often seek off-campus living options and study abroad programs (UCLA Parent & Family Programs, n.d.). As such, MCI will focus primarily on sophomore and junior students. Seniors and Freshmen are more than welcome. If you are interested in the program, please complete our online application form. Each member of the selected cohort should have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and be in good standing with the Office of Students Rights and Responsibilities. If you have any questions, please contact Dashawn Austin at dcaustin@syr.edu or 315-443-9174.