Black Men of Standard

Raising the Standard
Initiated by the Seton Hall University Education Opportunity Program (EOP) in 2010, the Black Men of Standard (BMS) and its partner program, the Gentlemen of Leadership and Distinction (GOLD), focus on a key at-risk demographic and strive to meet several important university goals. For all participants, the objective is to raise the standard of academic outcomes, performance and achievement through:

  • Fostering a Seton Hall brotherhood among all males to support the development of stronger life-long ties to each other and to Alma Mater
  • Promoting a spirit of absolute excellence in academic achievement for all male students
  • Increasing retention rates of male students of color
  • Encouraging and supporting the timely completion of a Seton Hall degree

The Approach
Black Men of Standard Award 2017The groups' approach to personal and academic development and success is rooted in uplifting programming that encourages academic progress, proper study habits, emotional intelligence and accountability to oneself and his peers. To that end, we encourage study partnerships of twenty students who work together, supporting each other in the achievement of unifying goals. All BMS Scholars must identify their academic activities for completion between the hours of 9am and 5pm, thereby treating study as work. This focused approach supports the highest standard for college success. Staff and faculty advisors also serve as a resource for accountability and support.

Monthly programs, open to all, contribute to a sense of brotherhood when guest speakers, drawn from male university administrators, clergy, faculty and distinguished alumni, share their own empowering personal journeys and professional experience. Exposed to success, students learn that one's current circumstances are not a predictor of future life outcomes. Further, the program helps to develop young men into leaders through skill building, career planning, positive male image of success, self-presentation, personal marketability, and the recognition of unhealthy personal connections.

Through a peer mentorship program, upper classmen work with lower classmen while male administrators, faculty and other staff play supportive, guiding roles, which create opportunities for strong academic performance mixed with fun, bonding, and cohesion.

Named Seton Hall's Organization of the Year in 2017, BMS is one of the university's signature programs. Both BMS and GOLD are model programs, promoting excellence for all Seton Hall students.

As we rise . . . so does the standard.

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