Bryon Dickens

Bryon Dickens is the Director of the Students Connecting with Mentors for Success (SCMS) program at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC).12 He has held this position for over six years, serving as both the architect and director of this highly acclaimed mentorship program.

Role and Contributions

Dickens created the SCMS program with the goal of improving academic achievement, retention, and graduation rates for students at OCCC.1 The program focuses on connecting students with professional mentors in their areas of interest, providing support, guidance, and engagement tailored to each student's needs.3

Under Dickens' leadership, the SCMS program has shown significant success:

• The average end-of-term GPA for SCMS participants hovers around 3.2, compared to the overall OCCC average of 2.6.1
• The program has been particularly effective in supporting African American male students, who were previously performing at the lowest levels among all ethnic demographics at the college.1

Philosophy and Approach

Dickens emphasizes a holistic approach to mentorship, focusing not only on academic improvement but also on character development. He often quotes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., saying, "Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education".1

His commitment to the students extends beyond their academic performance. As Dickens states, "My commitment to you is not only to make you a better student but to make you better men".1

Impact and Recognition

The success of the SCMS program under Dickens' leadership has been so significant that OCCC's President is working to expand it to all students.1 Dickens has been praised for his role as a father figure and mentor to many students, with one student describing him as "an outstanding gentleman, a wonderful man, a beautiful person to follow".1

Through his work, Bryon Dickens has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping others succeed, making a significant impact on the lives of students at Oklahoma City Community College.4