1. Cultivating Diamonds in the Rough
Using Naviance as an Effective Tool in Closing the
Achievement Gap for Students of Color
L-Mani S. Viney, National Guide Right Committee Chairman
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated

2. Activity I: What do you think are some
of the major challenges that students
of color face in attaining a post
secondary education? (5 min)
Internal (Parents)
External (Community/Society)
Educational

3. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Why is this important?
One of the Roots Causes of the Achievement
Gap is the lack of access to Information and
Resources

4. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Why is this important?
Information and Resource

5. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Why is this important?
What We Know Determines What We Do

6. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
What is the Diamonds in the Rough Initiative?
What is the Diamonds In The Rough Initiative?
This initiative of Kappa Alpha Psi was
conceptualized from the belief that within
communities of color labeled as “underserved” or
“at-risk” exist many young people with the
potential to achieve when given the proper
information, resources and guidance .
Example of the Chicago Kappa League
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=BG0UL6ZIE7I&feature=youtu.be

7. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Why is this important?
The Naviance Factor

8. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Why is this important?
The Naviance Factor

9. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Phase I: Establishing the Student/Parent Database
Example I:
Establishing the Student/Parent Database
Objective:
To develop a centralized communication system and student database
that provides students and parents the necessary information,
instruction and resources necessary to make the proper decisions
regarding college and career planning and preparation.
Action Steps:
• Newsletter style emails are sent to parents regarding upcoming
college fairs, webinars, etc
• Tasks and projects are assigned and updated
•Notices on important events (i.e. SAT Dates, FASFA news, College
deadlines) are sent
•Individual chapters utilize to keep constant contact with parents to
increase involvement and participation in their child’s college
planning process

10. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Phase II: Implement College and Career Planning
Curriculum
Example II:
Implement College and Career Planning
Curriculum
Objective:
Establish a year long curriculum guide and timeline for
chapters to utilize in providing the proper guidance,
resources, information and tools to students and parents in
the college and career planning process.
Action Steps:
• All students required to develop their profile and complete
the “game plan” and “personality survey
• Assignments regarding utilizing the “College Search”
program are created for students and parents. (i.e. Super
Match was used as a parent/student activity)
•Students created College planning summary reports to and
discussed with Kappa League advisors and parents at a
structured workshop.
•Final graduation reports and surveys assigned in May to
determine impact of utilizing Naviance in the college planning
process

11. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Phase III: Developing an Extensive Scholarship
Database
Example III:
Developing an Extensive Scholarship Database
Objective:
To provide more information regarding scholarship
opportunities in the effort to make post secondary
education more affordable for students of color.
Action Steps:
• Provided Guidance on Navigating the Sallie Mae
Scholarship Database
•Established a private scholarship database listing of
local organizations
• Bi-Weekly Scholarship “Alerts” sent to parents and
students via Family Connections

12. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Summary
Summary (What you can do)
1.Develop a plan/strategy for parents and students to
utilize Naivance in structured way after the school day
ends
2.Consider creating “College Planning After school
Clubs” in which utilization of Naviance and other
college access resources are utilized
3.Encourage partnering with community based
organizations in which Naviance can be implemented

13. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Who is Kappa Alpha Psi & Guide Right?
•Who is Kappa Alpha Psi?
Founded in 1911 on the campus of Indiana University,
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated is one of the
nations oldest and largest Black Greek Lettered
Organizations.
•What Is Guide Right?
Established in 1922, Guide Right is the National Service
program of Kappa Alpha Psi. Its objective is to inspire young
men of color ages 5-19 for post-secondary achievement.
•What is Kappa League?
The Kappa Instructional Leadership League, aka Kappa
League, is the central initiative of Guide Right
Students Serviced?
We currently mentor over 12,000 students in Guide Right
and 3,000 in Kappa League nationally.

14. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Summary
Contact Information:
L-Mani S. Viney
201-965-8732 or
Lviney@nepguideright.com
Rodney Gore
312-933-7376 or
Rodneygore@kappaleaguechicago.org
www.NatlKappaLeague.org
Twitter: @NatlGuideRight

15. Cultivating Diamonds In the Rough
Summary
THANK YOU

16. Your Feedback Matters!
Thank you for attending the
Naviance Summer Institute 2013!
We greatly appreciate your feedback, please
complete a brief evaluation for this session at:
http://go.naviance.com/evaluations