Men of Color Programs at Public Baccalaureate Institutions: A Typology of Institutional Context & Diversity

This study provides a typological analysis of public, four-year institutions implementing programs for men of color (MoC). The purpose of the study is to expand our understanding of the institutional context and conditions in which these interventions operate. As more of these programs emerge, it is important to understand if and how institutional mission, composition, and resources shape supports and opportunities for underrepresented men of color attending four-year public institutions. Through an exhaustive search process, we identified 177 MoC programs across 166 public four-year institutions across the United States and organized them along a range of institutional characteristics. We then applied descriptive statistics and cluster analysis to program search findings. Results show that public institutions implementing MoC programs can be understood as seven clusters or institutional types. This research provides important information and context for stakeholders who are interested in addressing educational disparities for men of color by illuminating the institutional diversity through which these programs are catalyzed and implemented. To date, this is the first study to organize MoC programs located across four-year public institutions by a range of institutional categories.