September 11, 2025
12:05 PM
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Education’s decision regarding grant programs at Minority-Serving Institutions:
“As the largest and most diverse institution of higher learning in the country, the California Community Colleges take pride in serving students from historically underserved communities. The federal government’s announcement to reduce discretionary funding for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) would have a detrimental impact on the students who depend on us. More than 90 percent of our colleges are federally designated Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and more than 70 percent of our students come from communities historically underrepresented in higher education, including Hispanic, Black, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Asian American and Pacific Islander students. As open access institutions, the mission of our colleges is to ensure that all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to succeed. We are deeply troubled that this action could limit access to resources that support their educational advancement and economic mobility.”
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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