Vision and Action for Equity: How Exclusion in California’s Colleges & Universities Continues to Hurt Our Values, Students, and Democracy

California is our nation’s most diverse and populous state. And yet, while diversity is one of our greatest assets, representation of Latinx, Black, Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native among higher education governing body leaders, system leaders, campus leaders, faculty, and academic senate bodies in California’s colleges and universities remains unacceptably low. Our recently released report, Still Left Out, provided a sobering update to our analysis to our 2018 analysis, finding that limited progress has been made to ensure the full inclusion and diversity reflective of California’s college students within leadership of the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community Colleges. 

On April 10, 17, and 24 at 10 am we held three webinars discussing our report findings by system. We heard students share their stories about how their higher education journeys were affected by a lack of leadership or faculty members with their unique backgrounds and experiences. Additionally, leaders of the University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges reacted to findings and offer solutions for equitably investing in the diverse talent necessary to sufficiently support students of all backgrounds in achieving their college dreams. 

Discussions facilitated by:

• Jessie Ryan, Executive Vice President of Campaign for College Opportunity
• Michele Siqueiros, President of Campaign for College Opportunity
• Vikash Reddy, Vice President of Research for Campaign for College Opportunity

Speakers included:

• Dr. Estela Bensimon, Professor Emerita and Founder for Center for Urban Education
• Dr. Yvette Gullatt, Vice President and Vice Provost of Graduate, Undergraduate, and Equity Affairs at the UC Office of the President
• Carlos Rodriguez, student at UCLA
• Dr. Abdimalik Buul, Visiting Executive of Educational Excellence at California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
• Adrián Trinidad, Associate Director for Community College Partnerships at USC Race and Equity Center
• Casey Chang, Student Member for California Community College Board of Governors
• Dr. Jennifer Baszile, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success & Inclusive Excellence for California State University Office of the Chancellor
• Dr. Romàn Liera, Assistant Professor of Higher Education at Montclair State University
• Cristian Reyes, Secretary of Diversity & Inclusion for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Associated Students, Inc.
• Autumn Alaniz-Wiggins, Student Body President at Chico State University

Still Left Out: University of California

Still Left Out: California Community Colleges

Still Left Out: California State University