BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 During Black History Month, Bakersfield College is marking a major milestone officially becoming a designated California Black-Serving Institution.<\/p>\n
The designation recognizes colleges that demonstrate a strong commitment to serving and supporting Black students through enrollment, retention efforts and culturally centered programs.<\/p>\n
For Khalfani Macke, a sophomore and student body president at Bakersfield College, the recognition is meaningful but not surprising.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a title,\u201d Macke said. \u201cThe real work happens behind the scenes, and we\u2019ve been doing that here at Bakersfield College. <\/p>\n
Programs like Umoja A2N constantly remind African American students of their culture. That\u2019s important. When students look around campus, they should see Black staff and Black faculty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Macke was among the students who pushed for the college to receive the designation. He credits student advocacy for helping make it happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hold people accountable for the work they say they should be doing and I would say the students themselves helped make this happen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The college\u2019s Black student population has grown significantly over the past decade. <\/p>\n
During the 2015\u20132016 school year, Bakersfield College enrolled 1,229 students who identified as Black or African American about 4.3% of nearly 29,000 students according to the California Community Colleges Chancellor\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
Today, Black students make up about 10% of the campus population.<\/p>\n
As of December 2025, 31 campuses statewide have received the Black-Serving Institution designation. Bakersfield College is one of just three community colleges to earn the recognition.<\/p>\n
A key part of that effort is Umoja, the largest program supporting African American students on campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cUmoja is the largest program for African American students at Bakersfield College and it\u2019s a full-service program in terms of counseling, the course aspect as well as co-curricular,\u201d said Dr. Paula Parks, English professor and Umoja coordinator.<\/p>\n
Parks said the designation reflects the college\u2019s long-term commitment to expanding those efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see this as the administration\u2019s commitment to Umoja to sustain it, expand it, and add even more programs in support of our students,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
When asked whether the new status will motivate students and improve retention, Macke said he has already felt a shift.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do. When I first got here I didn\u2019t really feel the same motivation that I feel now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Students and faculty say the designation is not the finish line, but a promise to continue the work pushing for progress and long-term success for Black students at Bakersfield College.<\/p>\n
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