Greensboro Collegiate Institute
Beta Epsilon Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity has reignited the Greensboro Collegiate Institute, whose mission is to prepare the best and brightest African American male college students to use their extraordinary talents to serve others. The Greensboro Collegiate Institute is a satellite program of the Washington, D.C. based Institute for Responsible Citizenship that was started by Dr. William Keyes and its design centers on professional development of high achieving young men to become productive members of society. High achieving freshman or sophomore college students in the Triad from any major are eligible for the program. Yearly target goal for each cohort is 8-12 students with 10-12 group sessions per academic year, and students are allowed to continue in the program for 2 years. Food is provided for these Saturday morning sessions and students are required to wear a suit and tie to every session. Speakers talk to these young men about their experiences achieving in their respective fields in engaging and interactive discussions. As an incentive for attendance and participation in each session each student is given a stipend of $100 for each attended session. Additional information regarding the Institute for Responsible Citizenship can be found on their website, www.theinstitute.net and a video about the satellite programs can be found at the following link: https://youtu.be/-p5Zxi94p0E.
Last year 8 students were selected with the majority being freshmen and sophomores and the students participated in 8 sessions with each session including discussions on a variety of topics including financial literacy, business law, medicine, and wealth management. This school year there are 12 students in the Greensboro Collegiate Institute, and they are eager to interact with professional men and women from a multitude of careers as these students progress through college. Providing these young men with the tools to navigate our society is more important now than ever and Beta Epsilon is committed to providing the professionals to be successful in this endeavor. As a physician and chair of social action for Beta Epsilon Boulé, I am committed to ensuring that the Greensboro Collegiate Institute continues to grow and expand in the Triad.
-Vincent Schooler
Chair Social Action Committee, Beta Epsilon Boule
Pictured with GCI student participants are (far left) Archons Frankie Jones, Jr., Vincent Schooler, (far right) Archons LaDaniel Gatling, and Jan Pritchett
Archon Jan Pritchett addresses GCI student participants during a presentation at one of their monthly sessions
GCI student participants listen intently during one of their monthly sessions.
Greensboro Collegiate Institute student participants.
Comments from participants :
“This past year in the collegiate institute program has been very eye opening and inspirational. I enjoyed each speaker that we’ve had and look forward to listening to more. Also, I enjoyed that it wasn’t always just a lecture. Each person that came and spoke engaged in conversation with us and wanted to learn more about us as well. With all of that being said, I would like to continue to participate in the collegiate institute in the fall. ”
“My experience participating in the Greensboro Collegiate Institute this past year has been nothing short of fantastic. I looked forward to waking up on those Saturday mornings to meet and listen to the stories of accomplished Black men in the Greensboro area. Their guiding advice hasn’t been taken lightly and has inspired me to take more control over my actions now to live the life I want when I am older. I have also enjoyed getting to know the other participants in the Greensboro Institute, as many of them I hadn’t met prior, although we attend the same school.
I hope to participate this year to gain more insight as I begin the second half of my collegiate journey. I wish to develop further connections and hopefully inspire other young Black men in the future as the various speakers have inspired me. ”
