(Above) Steven Gear, mental health coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Student Health Services, and Saluki Spectrum Student Dennis Sturkey participate in a Chat and Chew conversation, which helps foster connections and a sense of belonging. (Photo by Amihere Benson) (Below) SIU students attend the WayMaker Men’s Summit in Chicago. (Photos provided)
May 08, 2025
SIU initiative helps students stay in school, supporting academics, leadership and more
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale launched Saluki Spectrum Students to improve student retention among groups most at risk of dropping out.
Within the various demographic groups in colleges across the United States, graduation rates tend to be lowest for Black and Hispanic men, about 39% and 55% respectively, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Kristopher Marshall, director of Saluki Student Success Initiative, said a lack of a sense of belonging and financial concerns are among the top issues cited by Black and Hispanic students who withdraw from college and that many of those who drop out are first-generation students.
“It’s important to retain students by building rapport and connecting them with academic support, financial assistance, and student engagement and leadership opportunities, engaging them with culturally competent programming that directly impacts Salukis and their futures,” Marshall said.
Open to all
Students from all racial, cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome to participate in Saluki Spectrum, Marshall said. “It’s for anyone who is interested in building leadership skills, promoting academic success, mentorship, social engagement and integration, and being better people.”
He said the group’s capacity, at least in its inaugural stages, is about 25 participants, and this year, attendance has been strong.
Jakyi Humphrey, a sophomore double major in information technology and cybersecurity from Chicago, was drawn to SIU by the environment and the people, and he couldn’t pass up the chance to get involved in Saluki Spectrum.
“I wanted to help make a difference in the SIU community,” he said. “This organization means a lot to me. It has given me the opportunity to be a leader and experience things I would never otherwise experience.”
Humphrey, who earned a 4.0 GPA during the fall semester and holds cumulative 3.75 GPA, said he’s confident that students who are involved in Saluki Spectrum will be more likely to graduate because of the multi-level experience it provides.
Multi-tiered programming approach
The goal is to give participants the tools they need to handle stressful events, achieve academic success and become the leaders of tomorrow, Marshall said. The program works with a community of diverse scholars to cultivate a welcoming environment for students from all racial, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds through multi-pronged programming such as peer mentoring, academic coaching, GPA competitions and group study tables.
In college and in life in general, Marshall said, it’s also vital that young people learn the importance of keeping healthy bodies and minds, because when health breaks down, it becomes more challenging to succeed and accomplish goals.
So, Saluki Spectrum includes a mental health series. One “Breaking the Cycle” event featured Ryan Reed, an SIU alumnus discussing the importance of taking care of mental health and breaking the cycle of hiding mental health challenges from others.
Saluki Spectrum also has a speakers series featuring alumni, SIU leaders and other inspiring people; meet and greet event with faculty and staff, a conversation series and a “Dress to Impress” event. In addition, participants join in other special events, such as a trip to Chicago that included a visit to the Willis Tower and the WayMaker Men’s Summit last fall and a trip to Alabama to see historical sites, including the Clotilda, the last known ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States.
Cameron McCullough, a freshman from Champaign, Illinois, has a double major in cybersecurity technology and information technology and first learned of Saluki Spectrum from his roommate. When he graduates from SIU, he’ll be the first in his immediate family to complete college, so he is grateful for the insights, knowledge and resources he’s found there.
“At most of these events, they touch on maintaining a positive mental health and how to deal with stress in a positive manner,” McCullough said. “I believe this organization has benefitted me in helping me connect with many people who are or once were in the same shoes I’m in and that through these interactions and connections we can learn and help one another.”
He said as he completes his bachelor’s degree and continues his education, likely seeking a master’s in computer engineering and an MBA, he believes the expertise he’s acquiring through the group will prove invaluable regardless of where his career takes him.
Dennis Sturkey, a senior Africana studies major from Chicago and first-generation student, said the WayMaker conference was particularly meaningful as it brought Black men together as a community for a growth experience. Sturkey said he has benefited in a variety of ways, including building bonds with other students, helping him grow academically and professionally.
“It has also allowed me to get knowledge that helps me understand my emotions and regulate them better,” Sturkey said. “I’ll be able to help others in emotional situations, and when I’m immersed in my career – my goal after I finish my undergrade degree is to go to law school, become an attorney and practice intellectual property and civil rights law – I will remember that there were people that gave back to me and I will be willing to give back to others as well.”
Learn more
For additional details about Saluki Spectrum Students, contact Marshall at sheed@siu.edu or 618-453-4351.