Santa Monica College Designated a Black-Serving Institution

Santa Monica College Main Campus at 1900 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica, Calif., Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Silke Eichholz | The Corsair)

On Feb. 23, Santa Monica College was officially designated as a Black-Serving Institution. The designation was granted by California’s Governing Board for Black‑Serving Institutions, recognizing SMC as one of 31 colleges across the state that meet benchmarks for enrollment, retention, and culturally responsive support for Black students, according to a press release.  

“This year during Black History Month, Santa Monica College is particularly proud to celebrate being designated a Black-Serving Institution,” said SMC Superintendent/President Kathryn Jeffery. “And we celebrate the great work that resulted in this recognition, most notably through SMC’s Black Collegians Program Umoja Community, a recognized pioneer statewide.” 

The Black Collegians Program provides academic and personal support — such as counseling, tutoring, and transfer guidance — aimed at helping Black students work through college and stay focused on their goals, according to its webpage. The program also hosts workshops that address study skills, financial aid, and time. 

Beyond academic support, Black Collegians also host cultural and educational activities that highlight Black history and identity, giving Black students opportunities to connect with peers and build a sense of belonging on a campus where Black enrollment remains relatively small, according to the webpage. 

Jonathan Johnson, a second‑year student in the Black Collegians Program, said the designation feels like it carries weight, even if the actual changes are modest. “Black students make up a small share of the campus population, and that Black Collegians Program helped me find the community and support I struggled to locate elsewhere,” Johnson said.  

Johnson said he believes the recognition adds legitimacy to the work the program already does. “The counseling offered by the Black Collegians has been very helpful, more than the normal services,” he said.

Ethan Zanielle, who has attended SMC on and off for five years, said he supports additional aid for Black students but questioned whether this designation would lead to noticeable changes. Zanielle said that he cannot recall seeing any difference in the quality of services compared to what the college already provides, and doesn’t expect this new status to bring any practical improvements. 

“Still, the program (Black Collegians) remains valuable for students who rely on it,” Zanielle said.