Group mentors new students

A new student group is looking to mentor black students as they adjust to life at IU. Leaders of the Academy for Achievers, which has several chapters across the nation, came to campus this spring and are now trying to establish themselves and make a large impact at IU. \nThe group's former president, junior Markeith Young, said he believes the group provides great support for freshmen and sophomores looking for their place on campus. \n"Right now there is unity, but not a strong unity among the black students on campus," Young said. "What we hope to do is provide this foundation and family for students who may otherwise drop out, and together find success in academics."\nSophomore Rosalyn Wells said she was surprised at the lack of diversity on campus and was thankful for the Academy of Achievers' support and confidence as she adjusted to college life. \n"I was not expecting to be one of only three or four minority students in lectures of 200 people," Wells said. "The Academy of Achievers helped me find my niche and gave me confidence through the leadership roles they provide." \nThe Academy for Achievers matches up freshmen and sophomores with upperclassmen mentors to provide academic and social support for the students. \nSophomore Ciara Adams, who is the treasurer and temporary secretary of the group, said the main goal of the academy is to raise the graduation rate among minorities. \n"We want to make sure the minority students do not get lost in the shuffle, stay in school and graduate on time," Adams said. "We do not want to brush off other minorities. It is very important for us and the University for the minority enrollment to increase, and the first step is increasing the graduation rate of minorities." \nWell's attributes part of IU's lack of diversity to the many minority students who drop out because, she believes, they did not have support while they tried to adjust and fit in at such a large school. \nYoung said he believes other reasons for the low number of minority students are the high standards and tuition rates, which make it difficult for black students from the inner city to get into the University. \n"High schools in the inner cities are held to lower academic standards than schools in the suburbs, which makes it harder for those kids, mainly minorities, to continue on to college," Young said. "Also, the kids coming from these areas have less money to pay the expensive tuition at IU." \nYoung said he is proud to be a student at IU, which he believes is one of the top schools in the country. He said the group hopes to improve the environment for minority students, and the best way to accomplish this is to lead by example and to show it is possible to come to a school like IU and be successful. \nYoung said the next step for the Academy of Achievers is contacting high school students and recruiting them to help move the group forward. This way incoming freshmen will know they have support when they get on campus, he said. \n"We want to move into the high schools and give them something to look forward to." Young said, "I know the adjustment would have been easier for me if the Academy was around when I was a \nfreshman -- that is what I want to provide for these incoming classes"