Four graduates in blue caps and gowns stand together on an outdoor track with arms around each other. Each graduate wears a white EOPS stole, with additional cords and decorations visible on some stoles.

Black-Serving Institution

As a prospective California Black-Serving Institution, El Camino College is committed to advancing equitable educational opportunities that support Black students in achieving their academic, transfer, workforce, and personal goals while cultivating a campus environment where Black students experience belonging, affirmation, and success.

Institutional Commitment to Black and African American Student Success

El Camino College's commitment to Black and African American student success is rooted in its mission as an equity-focused institution that partners with diverse communities to provide student-centered learning, career development, and lifelong enrichment.

The college recognizes that achieving equitable outcomes requires intentional action to eliminate systemic barriers that have historically affected Black student access, persistence, completion, and transfer.

ECC's vision to create equitable opportunities for students, employees, and the broader community serves as the foundation for all institutional planning and resource allocation decisions.

Application Materials

President's Letter Full Application

Student Success

Black student success is embedded throughout the Comprehensive Integrated Plan, Education Plan, and Student Equity Plan. These institutional plans prioritize equitable access to learning and support services, educational experiences that advance academic and career goals, and opportunities that foster belonging and engagement.

El Camino College uses disaggregated student outcome data to identify equity gaps and develop targeted interventions that support Black student achievement. This data-informed approach ensures that institutional priorities are directly connected to measurable improvements in student outcomes.

Support System & Resources

El Camino College provides a comprehensive network of academic, personal, cultural, and financial support services designed to foster success and belonging among Black and African American students.

The cornerstone of these efforts is the Black Student Success Center (BSSC), a dedicated space that promotes academic achievement, leadership development, community engagement, and personal growth. The center provides academic counseling, mentoring, community-building activities, leadership opportunities, laptop access, calculator loans, transfer assistance, and direct connections to campus resources. Its mission is to acknowledge educational barriers experienced by Black students while expanding sustainable resources and creating a place of refuge where students can express themselves and succeed.

Additional resources include:

  • Student Equity and Achievement Program
  • Umoja Project Success Program
  • Dedicated Equity Counselors
  • Transfer Center Services
  • First Year Experience Programs
  • Warrior Cupboard and Basic Needs Assistance
  • Financial Aid and scholarship support
  • Career and Workforce Development programs
  • MESA and STEM support services
  • Guardian Scholars Program
  • Learning communities and cohort programs
  • Mental health and wellness resources
  • Black Student Union leadership opportunities
  • Cultural programming and heritage celebrations
  • Transfer Success Pathway programs
  • University tours and transfer workshops
  • Faculty and staff culturally responsive professional development initiatives

Together, these resources create a holistic support system that addresses academic achievement, financial wellness, social belonging, transfer readiness, and leadership development for Black students.

About El Camino College

El Camino College is an equity-focused institution that partners with its diverse communities to provide student-centered learning, career development, and lifelong enrichment. The college is committed to creating equitable opportunities that support student achievement, economic mobility, lifelong learning, and community engagement.

Through a comprehensive range of academic programs, student support services, transfer preparation, workforce training, and culturally responsive practices, El Camino College serves as a catalyst for student success and community transformation.