American River College Submits Black-Serving Institution Designation Application

Under the Senate Bill 1348 guidelines, American River College is eligible to apply for Black Serving Designation (BSI) status. This bill designates colleges in California that "excel at providing academic resources to Black and African American students." Once granted, BSI designation is valid for 5 years. In a collaborative effort within the campus community, American River College teams worked to identify the outreach, engagement, academic & learning support, holistic support, funding, career pathways, and staff & professional development the college offers that align with the BSI designation.

"American River College is deeply committed to transforming the educational experience of Black and African American students through intentional action, collective accountability, and sustainable structures of support. This commitment is directly aligned with the college's mission to serve our community through inclusive and equitable education that transforms lives and builds pathways to opportunity."

The application will be submitted by the November 2025 deadline and will be reviewed by the State Governing Board designated by the California State University Statewide Central Office for the Advancement of Black Excellence. There is currently no fiscal note attached.