By VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
Under Senate Bill 1348, colleges or universities that excel in supporting Black students and that have at least 10% or 1,500 students who are Black are eligible for California BSI designation that can help secure various state and federal grants. To qualify, colleges must have a Black student success program, providing academic and basic needs support to assist Black students, track their impact on Black student outcomes, and commit to serving Black students in their mission.
Nearly two-thirds of Black students who attend a higher education institution in California begin their postsecondary journey at a community college, but 63% of Black community college students don’t earn a degree, certificate, or transfer to a four-year institution within six years. Almost half leave college without earning a degree.
More than 5,500 SDCCD students identify as Black. Three SDCCD colleges already meet benchmarks set forth in SB 1348: San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE). Presidents at all three say they will seek BSI designation.
More than 13% percent of San Diego City College students in the spring of 2024 identified as Black, and nearly 6% identified as multiracial, according to data compiled by the California Community Colleges system.
Mesa College, with an enrollment of 1,999 Black students in the 2023-24 academic year, has adopted The Harambee Protocol, which comprises a collaborative think thank with projects and programs working for the success of Black students.
At SDCCE, more than 14%, or 2,313, of students in the spring of 2024 identified as Black, with an additional 2.5% identifying as multiracial.SDCCE is the only noncredit institution of the state’s 25 community colleges signing a long-term partnership with the Black Honors College.
