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Submitted by Dyrell Foster, Jamal Cooks and Ronald Gerhard
The California Community College system is the largest in the nation, serving nearly two million students at 116 campuses. The system enrolls one out of every 14 Black students who attend a college or university in the nation.
Unfortunately, 63% of Black community college students do not earn a degree, certificate or transfer within six years. California Senate Bill 1348, authored by Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), aims to address this challenge by designating California colleges that meet certain criteria as Black-Serving Institutions (BSIs).
The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District is a microcosm of diversity in California. Founded in 1961, CLPCCD serves over 25,000 students annually in the East Bay through its two colleges: Chabot College in Hayward and Las Positas College in Livermore. The district’s diverse demographics have helped CLPCCD earn designations like Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AAHPISI).
In addition to being a source of pride, these designations have unlocked resources intended to support underserved students. It is time for California to provide similar recognition and support for Black students.
SB 1348 seeks to recognize the state’s public and private colleges and universities that make significant commitments in support of Black student success. Among the proposed criteria, applicants eligible for designation would have at least 10% of the institution’s enrolled student population, or 1,500 enrolled students, identifying as Black or African American. The bill is currently on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
A recent report shows that Black students participating in Umoja programs — statewide programs that address student needs through academic support services and curriculum focused on African American history, literature and culture — pass college-level math and English within the first year and are propelled to academic success.
The report also notes that there are a number of barriers to successfully transferring to a four-year college such as access to counseling, lack of technology off campus and mental health issues, among others. We believe it is vital to understand the Black student experience, elevate strategies to address these issues as a system, and to create pathways for improved student outcomes.
Four years ago, Chabot College created the Black Excellence Collective (BEC) 10×10, which emerged as a response to bleak data regarding Black student outcomes and the murder of George Floyd. The BEC task force enlisted over 100 volunteer members from across our campus community to support the approximately 2,000 Black students at Chabot College. Ten “villages” were created to connect and refer students to campus services and resources.
Additionally, both Las Positas College and Chabot College have established Black Cultural Resource Centers and have maintained Umoja Learning Communities on their respective campuses to further support Black student success.
SB 1348 highlights the need to support Black and African American students attending all postsecondary educational institutions throughout the state with the goal of closing academic equity gaps. The bill would require the creation of Black student success programs and robust African American studies programs.
We believe that Black students will experience the same positive outcomes seen by those students benefiting from HSI and AAHPISI programs. If the bill becomes law, the CLPCCD would move quickly to seek the designation.
The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District stands firmly in support of SB 1348 and the movement to create more equitable outcomes for Black students across California.
As a district, we have long prioritized diversity, inclusion and equity in our practices. The designation of Black-Serving Institutions would be a critical step forward in addressing the longstanding challenges faced by Black students in higher education.
The time for action is now, and we are committed to leading this effort to ensure that every student in California, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.
Editor’s note: This Guest Opinion was jointly authored by Las Positas College President Dyrell Foster, Ed.D., Chabot College President Jamal Cooks, Ph.D., and Ronald Gerhard, chancellor of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.
