Black Serving Institution Designation

Fresno City College’s Black Serving Institution (BSI) Application

What is a Black Serving Institution

A California Black-Serving Institution (BSI) is a formal designation created by SB 1348 to recognize colleges and universities in the state that demonstrate excellence in providing academic resources and support to Black and African American students enrolled in degree or certificate programs. This designation applies across all four segments of California higher education—the California State University, the University of California, the California Community Colleges, and independent institutions.

The designation is overseen by a governing board that approves or denies applications and renewals, with the California State University Statewide Central Office for the Advancement of Black Excellence (COABSS) serving as the neutral managing body.

What does being a BSI mean for Fresno City College?

For Fresno City College (FCC), being a Black-Serving Institution is both a designation and a deep commitment. It means embedding racial equity, anti-racism, and social justice into every aspect of the college’s mission, vision, and daily practices. FCC affirms that Black and African American students’ success is not peripheral, but central to the institution’s purpose.

This designation reflects FCC’s intentional efforts to remove systemic barriers, transform campus culture, and build pathways of belonging where Black students can thrive academically, socially, and personally. The college has invested in targeted programs like Umoja, IIDILE, SYMBAA, and the future Black Honors College; created positions such as the Black Student Success Counselor/Coordinator and prioritized culturally responsive curriculum, empathetic teaching, and counselor training that respond to student feedback.

Equally important, FCC recognizes the diversity within Black student identities and has taken steps to improve data practices so students who identify as both Black and another ethnicity are fully represented. With 2,590 enrolled Black/African American students (9.5% of its student body), FCC holds itself accountable through clear five-year goals: increasing enrollment, persistence, transfer, and completion rates, while ensuring holistic supports from application to graduation to career readiness.

Ultimately, being a Black-Serving Institution at FCC means creating a campus where Black excellence is affirmed, supported, and celebrated—a place where students are seen, heard, and empowered to succeed across generations.

black student graduating 

Fresno City College Commitment

1. Start Strong – Increasing Access and Early Success

Use equity-minded, anti-racist, and culturally responsive practices to guide students from application to enrollment.

Commitments include:

  • Increase enrollment of marginalized groups, with a focus on men of color, by 5% annually.
  • Increase the percentage of African American students who successfully complete their first semester by 3% annually.
  • Ensure 25% complete transfer-level math and English in the first year.

2. Stay Strong – Building Belonging and Persistence

Foster a welcoming, affirming, and validating environment for Black students to remain on track toward their goals.

Commitments include:

  • Increase enrollment in culturally relevant, engagement-focused courses (ethnic studies, internships, civic/global activities) by 30%.
  • Expand opportunities for student voice in decision-making.
  • Increase internships and community-based learning opportunities.
  • Increase fall-to-fall persistence of first-time students by 10%.

3. Finish Strong – Completion, Transfer, and Career Readiness

Ensure Black/African American students graduate, transfer, and succeed in careers.

Commitments include:

  • Reduce the average number of units for degree earners to 79.
  • Increase transfer to four-year universities to 3,183 students overall.
  • Increase CTE students’ job placement in related fields to 76%.

Resources

Basic Needs

The Basic Needs Center is committed to the academic success and well-being of all students at Fresno City College (FCC). We provide students with holistic support and connection to essential resources on-and-off campus.

Basic Needs Resources

Campus Support Programs

CalWORKS

Dedicated to providing equitable and inclusive services to parenting students seeking to become economically and socially empowered through education.

CalWORKS

Umoja

Umoja promotes student success and improved lifetime outcomes for all students through a curriculum that is responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas. When you are part of IDILE and/or SYMBAA, you are part of the larger community of Umoja.

Umoja

Men of Color Summit

The goal of the Men of Color Summit is to address the decline in higher education enrollment and to show young men of color that they belong in college and can thrive in impactful careers that require a college education.

Men of Color Summit

HBCU

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were established in the South and East Coast of the United States in the 19th century, to provide undergraduate and graduate level educational opportunities to people of African descent

HBCU

Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS)

It is our goal to provide you with all of the available resources to ensure your academic and/or vocational success.

DSPS

Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS)

Dedicated to empowering students from historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged communities by providing *over and above* services that foster academic achievement, equity, and personal development.

EOPS

Puente

The PUENTE program is a statewide program at Fresno City College which helps prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities, earn their degrees and return to the community as leaders and mentors to future generations.

Puente

Safe Space Ally Program

A campus-wide network of allies trained to support LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Allies are trained in cultural competence for the purpose of making Fresno City College a more safe and welcoming environment for all LGBTQ persons to thrive.

Safe Space Ally Program

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

One of three TRIO programs at Fresno City College. It is a federally funded special program that is designed to assist college students who are  at least ONE or more of the following:

  1. Low-income (to see current low-income levels: Current-Year Low-Income Levels),
  2. First generation college student (parents  did not graduate from a 4-year university),
  3. And/or have a disability.

TRiO Student Support Services (SSS)

Campus Clubs & Associations

Pan Afrikan Student Union (PASU)

To encourage through in higher education and participation in campus and community events.

Contact: fccpasu1@gmail.com

A2MEND Brotherhood

To ensure the interest and success of African American students, faculty, staff and administrators at Fresno City College are supported.

Contact: Charles.bailey@fresnocitycollege.edu

Community Resources

  • Crisis Intervention and Emergency Services
  • Low-Cost/Medi-Cal Psychological Services and Mental Health Providers

Community Resources

Jobs and Internships