Becoming a leader
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 6, 2016 1:46 PM
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Chad Evans, a business administration student at Wayne Community College, recently graduated in December, but is still taking additional classes in preparation of transferring to a four-year institution. He credits 3MP, a state grant-funded mentoring program for minority males, with supporting and encouraging him to complete his education. The 37-year-old was also recently recognized with a leadership award during the Men of Color Student Leadership Institute in Atlantaï¿¿
As a poverty-stricken youth growing up in Florida, Chad Evans did not envision himself becoming a leader one day.
"My parents had problems of their own," the 37-year-old recalls. "Raising kids was not on their to-do list."
When he was old enough to get a summer job, he followed an uncle to North Carolina, where he was a farming contractor.
Evans "got in some trouble" a couple times, winding up incarcerated in Neuse Correctional in Wayne County before finding a plumbing job he thought could be his ticket out.
Instead, the job brought him back to Goldsboro.
"After I got out, I tried every door but the right door," he says now.
But then he found his way through the door at Wayne Community College.
A counselor, whose name he can't recall, was helping him lay out an educational plan when she said what would become the magic words -- that most "don't get it done in two years."
"She put fuel under me," he said. "I'm going to prove her wrong."
While he has had to return for some additional credits, he graduated with a degree in business administration operations.
And he has aspirations to go further -- a bachelor's degree and leaning toward "a little politics," he says.
In addition to juggling a job while attending class, he and wife, Katrina, a hairstylist, have two children, an 18-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter.
He has also become an integral part of 3MP, the Minority Male Mentoring Program, serving as a leader and student liaison. The program was not only a key part of Evans' success, but something he wants to ensure helps others.
"They really cared about my success and me making it to the next level," he said. "I didn't think I was going to make it one month back in August 2013.
"There were six of us that came from my neighborhood. We all sat there and said, 'We intend to get our degrees.' I am the only one left out of the six."
Minority males face unique challenges, said Michael Bloom, academic skills coordinator and one of the 3MP co-coordinators, along with Chris Denise. The program's goal is to increase graduation rates among that population.
The program was introduced a decade ago through a state grant, Bloom said. It serves a coaching and mentoring role.
"Many of the students, it's the first time at a college, so the mentors provide that educational assistance," he said. "It also gives them encouragement. And then my job as program director is to have opportunities, for the school to provide opportunities.
"I have to say that our administration supports this 100 percent."
The program currently has about 40 students enrolled, not all of them minority males.
"We would like to change the name a bit," Bloom said. "We open the door up to all students.
"We currently have one Caucasian, one Middle Eastern, about 20 African-American males, about five Hispanic males and two Hispanic females and one Native American female."
Evans became such an avid supporter of the program, he was given a part-time staff position, Bloom said.
"He helps a lot with recruiting and communicating. He does a little bit of helping administer the program," he said. "He's invaluable to me."
Evans' potential as a leader began to surface not only on campus but during opportunities like the recent trip to Atlanta for the Men of Color Student Leadership Institute. Students from colleges around the country worked together to identify a need in education and design a school to meet the need.
His team design, a specialized school for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), was the winning presentation, Bloom said.
"Chad's innovative marketing, design and leadership skills are truly outstanding and were integral in the success of his team," Bloom said.
"I never categorized myself as a leader," Evans said. "I'm just humble. I'm going to do what I can. I can lead as well as I can follow.
"I'm thankful, but I want to be categorized as a nice human being."
As his time at WCC ticks down to his upcoming graduation, Evans praises the support he received from 3MP.
"This program has meant the world. It has actually paved the way for my success," he said. "There's nothing wrong with depending on people. It shows a brotherhood. I know we're going to know each other for a long time.
"I'm always going to be part of 3MP."
Bloom said officials are looking at ways of incorporating the alumni into giving back to future groups.