History

As of Fall 2016 MSI-Fullerton is started its inaugural year as an official department within California State University, Fullerton . Housed within the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs , under the Retention Cluster, MSI-Fullerton is currently lead by its inaugural Director, Dr. Vincent T. Harris, who leads a full time staff consisting of a senior program coordinator, Office Coordinator, graduate assistant, student workers, brother 2 brother mentors, and faculty & staff success coaches. 

The inception of MSI-Fullerton started as a pilot program in the Fall of 2013, under the direction of an advisory board with a goal to create an “African American Male Leadership Institute” (AAMLI). The AAMLI advisory board consisted of CSUF faculty, staff, and administrators who were committed to helping Black men undergraduates reach their full potential with intentional goals. AAMLI gradually implemented High Impact Practices to improve student persistence, increase graduation rates university wide, and narrow the achievement gap for historically disadvantages students particularly Black men.

In 2014, AAMLI expanded to include all men of color (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, American Indian, and multiracial men) and transitioned to the name “Male Success Initiative” (MSI-Fullerton). Although the temporary leadership of MSI-Fullerton was dedicated and passionate, a 2014 needs assessment of MSI-Fullerton, produced by the Division of Student Affairs in partnership with the CSUF Center for Research on Educational Access and Leadership (CREAL) found a tremendous need for: a) structure and stability, b) more access to scholarship information, c) more on-campus collaboration with student organizations, and d) increased campuspresence for MSI-Fullerton. Additionally, student shared their needs of receiving academic and professional development opportunities outside the classroom for opportunities such as research and academic internships. While MSI-Fullerton leadership recommended the addition of a curriculum model that strengthens the mentor component, scholarship and financial support, and a designated campus center to enhance a sense of belonging and brotherhood within MSI-Fullerton.

As a result, of these and other efforts lead by CSUF faculty, staff, administrators, in addition to the influential student leadership from the CSUF Black Student Union , a full time director of MSI-Fullerton was hired in Fall 2016 to transform MSI-Fullerton from a three-year pilot program to a fully staffed and functioning university funded CSUF department.