MANSFIELD, PA–At Mansfield University, students come for haircut and some pizza as part of the “Advice and A Slice: Round Table Discussion,” but leave with a lot more.
Started by Director of Minority Mentoring Jason Roscoe with a Conversation for Diversity Grant in 2012, the program, which is open to all Mansfield University students but specifically targets African American males and other underrepresented minority groups on campus, is held several times a semester. It rotates between trips to Hold the Phone Barbershop in Williamsport, PA and the barber coming to campus.
“Being proud alumnus of Mansfield University, both graduate and undergraduate, and now a faculty member, I have experienced some of the obstacles that our African American male students deal with on a day-to-day basis in rural Tioga County,” Roscoe said. “Having participated in the University Visit Days assisting with
recruitment of minority students as well as student athletes of color, the first questions that a student will usually ask is ‘where can I get my haircut around here?’ I had to inform students that the closest place is located in Williamsport. I reached to a personal friend of mine, Jerome Jackson who owns Hold the Phone Barbershop in Williamsport. He is a licensed barber in the state of Pennsylvania and he was also my barber when I was a student at MU. When I presented the idea to Mr. Jackson, he said absolutely.”In addition to the grant that started the program, Roscoe received funds from an Instructional Equipment Grant that allowed him to purchase a barber chair for the campus sessions.“I believe it is important for people to understand the history and role of the barbershop in the African American community specifically,” Roscoe said. “The barbershop is a microcosm of black communities in the U.S. The barbershop is a place where you can be yourself. A barber is just not a barber, he is often becomes a friend, confidant, psychologist, oracle, mind-reader, and anything that you need him to be that day. The barbershop is a place where people who had no voice, could have a voice. The barbershop in urban communities has been used as an outreach station to make the black community aware of services that will save their life. The barber is the creator of ‘the look’ a man presents to the world. Any special event, preparation starts with a haircut. A haircut can literally change how a man feels and can do wonders to his confidence. This program is open to all Mansfield University students but specifically targets African American males other minority group on campus. This program provides students with the opportunity to engage in a broad range of conversations.”
The program include discussions with community leaders, faculty members and upper division students, who act as mentors. Topics of discussion range from academic policy, procedures and current events to just about anything else participants want to talk about. Among the guest speakers have been MU President Fran Hendricks, retired MU Professor Vince Jenkins, Dwayne Marshall, professor in Criminal Justice Department at Lock Haven University, Alan Zellner, Social Equity and Multicultural Affairs Officer at MU, and the barber himself, Jerome Jackson.
“The actual haircut the students receive is just one aspect of the event,” Deb Rotella, chair of the Department of Academic & Human Development said. 
“In reality, by attending these events the participants are immersed in academic discussion about current and relevant issues facing black men in the world today.”
Roscoe was a guest presenter at Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education in Harrisburg in March. The presentation was titled “Man Up: Innovative Approaches to Minority Male Success.”
“After my presentation, I was complimented and contacted by a couple of colleagues within the State System who would like to collaborate and possibly make this a much larger event traveling to various campuses and having dialogue which would make the barbershop ‘mobile.’ Dr. Victoria Sanders, PASSHE (Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education) assistant vice-chancellor and Title IX coordinator, sat in on the presentation and afterwards talking about the possibility of exploring grant opportunities to help support the idea.”
Roscoe is hopefully of expanding the “Advice and A Slice” program as well as several others aimed at inclusion and making students feel more welcome.
“I commend Professor Roscoe on his project,” Rotella said. “This program continues to grow and has become a visible, effective and innovative mode of delivery for student support services.”
Roscoe credits Rotella, President Hendricks, Director of Student Activities Steve Plesac, Social Equity and Multicultural Affairs Officer Alan Zellner and Associate Vice President of Residence Life Chuck Colby for their support.
For more information on the Department of Academic and Human Development and the support services offered, go to mansfield.edu/ahdev