The program works with schools districts and seeks students whose grade point averages do not adequately represent their educational potential (as identified by their teachers), displays irregular behavior (on occasion), has the potential to benefit from intensive instruction and mentoring and a willingness to consider post-secondary education after high school.
The BMCEP was brainchild of late FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries, who tapped Tommy Mitchell to serve as the programs’ first director. Since its inception, the program has branched out to Florida's other HBCU's -- Edward Waters, Bethune-Cookman, and Florida Memorial Universities. The program is funded by a small appropriation from the Florida Legislature, and is housed in the FAMU College of Education.
Ronald Rhodes, a BMCEP alumnus, said the program was pivotal in helping him develop the confidence to embrace his “can-do” spirit.
“I learned how to speak up and speak out about a lot of issues,” Rhodes said. “I learned time management. I learned about how to become a top student in the program and how to get goals accomplished.”