The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education reported last month that the graduation rate of Oberlin’s African-American students has increased by over ten percent in the last eight years. According to the study, in the last three years, 78 percent of black students have graduated within six years of enrolling, compared with 81 percent of white students.

According to Ross Peacock, Oberlin’s director of institutional research, the most recent numbers are even higher: 81 percent of African Americans who matriculated in 2000 graduated, as did 85 percent of students overall.

Additionally, the gap between the African American graduation rate and the overall rate has narrowed.

Oberlin’s Strategic Plan mandates that the College “significantly improve [its] admissions yield and retention of African-American and other students of color.” Retention, which is measured by graduation rates, evidently improved in the years before the plan was passed in 2005.

Administrators are working to increase the number of African-American students who matriculate as well. Last year only 41 African Americans enrolled, making up 5.7 percent of the class of 2010. It is too early to know how regular admissions will turn out this year, but 22 African Americans were admitted during the early decision process, up from eight last year.

According to Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Debra Chermonte, the increased African American enrollment is mostly the result of new collaborations between Oberlin and two national student search agencies: Pathways to Student Success and Excellence and QuestBridge.

POSSE is a nationwide program that seeks out student leaders from urban public high schools.  Beginning in the fall, Oberlin’s POSSE initiative will draw ten students, mostly minorities, from Chicago on a yearly basis.

“The prime goal of POSSE is to add leadership and improve dialogue on campus,” Chermonte said.

QuestBridge is a referral service that recruits students and matches them with college admissions officers. Seven of the nine students Oberlin enrolled through QuestBridge this year are African American.

Oberlin’s involvement with POSSE and QuestBridge is supported by a financial commitment to educate minority, first-generation, and low-income students.

 “We commit to give very generous financial aid packages to these students,” said Associate Director of Admissions Tom Abeyta.