The University of California, Davis, is in the inaugural class of California universities and colleges designated as Black-Serving Institutions, or BSIs, under a state initiative recognizing those that “excel at providing academic resources to Black and African American students.” 

The program awarded the designation last week to UC Davis and 30 other institutions including UC Berkeley; three California State University, or CSU, campuses; 25 California community colleges; and one private university.

“UC Davis is dedicated to the success of our students, and this designation demonstrates to current and prospective students that a robust network of resources is here to foster their belonging and help them thrive through to graduation and beyond,” said UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May.

“Our university celebrates and supports Black excellence, history and futures in our commitment to serving California’s diverse population,” added May, who is one of eight members of the program’s governing board. 

‘Serves the interests of all Californians’

California Senate Bill 1348, passed into law in 2024, affirms that, “Supporting Black and African American students attending postsecondary educational institutions in California serves the interests of all Californians,” and seeks to address the barriers and disparities that have prevented them from fully benefitting from post-secondary education.

Eleni Kounalakis, California’s lieutenant governor and chair of the program’s board, announced the selection of institutions at a meeting last week. “As students of color face growing attacks across the nation, California is choosing a different path — one rooted in partnership, accountability and a shared commitment to our students,” she said.

“This board brings together exceptional leaders who are dedicated to advancing Black student success, recognizing institutions that are truly supporting their students and challenging all campuses to uphold that standard of excellence,” Kounalakis added.

Behind the designation

For a college or university to qualify for the BSI designation, at least 10% or 1,500 of its students (including undergraduate, graduate and professional) must be Black and African American. In fall 2025, a total of 1,701 UC Davis students were African American and Black. 

The program also requires an application that demonstrates the commitment to encourage the enrollment of Black and African American students and support their academic success.  

‘Mission-level commitment’

Robert “BJ” Snowden is interim executive director of the CSU Black Student Success Center, which administers the program. He said the UC Davis application was successful because of, among other things, its “mission-level commitment” to Black student success, a comprehensive strategic plan, and data-driven plans to close graduation and time-to-degree equity gaps for Black students.

Outreach and other programs, Snowden said, show sustained investment in charting pathways from K-12 through graduate and professional education for students. For example, through the UC-HBCU Initiative, a summer program hosts undergraduates from historically Black colleges and universities to explore graduate school opportunities. 

Snowden added that campus climate and signature programs “foster belonging, visibility and community connections for Black students and their families.” He cited Black Fall Welcome, Black History/Black Futures Month, Black Family Day, the Black Graduation Recognition Ceremony and the Center for African Diaspora Student Success — which are open to all.

Importance of designations

May said the BSI and other designations are important. “The designations acknowledge historic and ongoing inequities in access to higher education,” he said. “They are intended to expand opportunity, strengthen support systems and create environments where all students not only enroll but thrive.”

UC Davis became eligible to become one of the nation’s few research-intensive universities designated by the federal government as an Hispanic-Serving Institution, or HSI, after fall 2024 enrollment numbers crossed the threshold for the status for the first time. However, the U.S. Department of Education announced in September it would discontinue $350 million in grants to HSIs and other Minority-Serving Institutions.

The campus secured federal status as a Minority-Serving Institution in 2019 as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, or AANAPISI.