Equity Exemplar: How Irvine Valley College Is Advancing Black Student Success in Transfer-Level English

California’s landmark equitable placement policies, including AB 705 and AB 1705, have expanded students’ access to transfer-level coursework by removing unnecessary remedial barriers. Yet access alone does not ensure success, and racial equity gaps in course completion persist across the state. In the 2024–25 academic year, 68% of California community college students successfully completed transfer-level English, compared with only 58% of Black students. Irvine Valley College demonstrates what is possible when equitable placement is paired with intentional, student-centered support: 81% of all students and 83% of Black students successfully completed transfer-level English—outperforming the corresponding statewide rates by 13 and 25 percentage points, respectively. The college’s success reflects a campuswide culture of collaboration and continuous learning, supported by initiatives such as its faculty-led Writing Center, the Black Student Success Scholars Program, dedicated counseling, community-building “Porch Talks,” and identity-affirming HBCU visits. By combining personalized academic support, culturally responsive programming, and cross-departmental collaboration, Irvine Valley College offers a compelling model for advancing equity, belonging, and success in transfer-level English.