Black Student Success (BSS)

Black Student Success at The Beach

Group of people facing one another at a friendship event.

In June 2023, the California State University (CSU) Chancellor’s Office released a report titled Advancing Black Student Success and Elevating Black Excellence: A Call to Action. The report detailed the persistent decline in Black student enrollment and persistence across the CSU system and presented 13 recommendations to address the persistent inequities in opportunities and outcomes Black students experience. Following the publication of this report, universities were asked to evaluate themselves based on the 13 recommendations from recruitment and outreach; student retention, persistence, and academic success; campus culture, community, and belonging; and the role of Black faculty and staff in student success. 

In response to the charge, CSULB’s Black Excellence Collegium (BEC) was formed and led much of the effort to examine our current infrastructure and efforts to promote Black excellence using the CSU Black Student Success (BSS) Inventory. Although The Beach has made strides in improving academic outcomes overall, CSULB acknowledges that more work remains to be done to overcome challenges and obstacles that impact many Black students. Consequently, and in compliance with Prop 209, the four primary BSS initiatives were collectively developed as part of our commitment to enhance the opportunities, experiences, and results for participating students. 

All students, regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, and/or any other protected identity, who are interested in the program's mission and focus are welcome and eligible to participate.

CSULB’s Black Student Success initiatives aim to create a thriving campus environment where ALL students are seen, valued, and equipped for holistic success. The Beach is committed to advancing student achievement and well-being through culturally relevant support and collaborative partnerships.

A-G Middle School Success Project
Supporting College Preparatory Success

The A-G Middle School Success Project is designed to enhance college readiness and access to CSULB for all Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) students, with a focus on supporting Black students. In alignment with the Long Beach College Promise and Beach 2030 strategic plan, this initiative strengthens our commitment to being a student-ready campus that shares responsibility for all students’ academic success. It also provides an opportunity to assess our practices and infrastructure to ensure we effectively support students' persistence and achievement. CSULB aims to improve the A-G completion rates and expand college access for middle-schoolers in Long Beach through collaboration with LBUSD, students, their families and supporters, educators, and community leaders.

Guided Pathways to a Beach Major
A Holistic Student Advising and Support Model

Guided Pathways to a Beach Major is an evidence-based initiative designed to enhance student persistence, academic progression, major declaration, and career readiness. This pilot program focuses on undeclared students during their first two years, providing tailored advising, timely follow-up, and collaborative support service. Through a holistic support network called the Student Success Team (SST), students receive proactive guidance and personalized support. With a wrap-around care model and culturally responsive approach, the SST ensures students’ academic, personal, and professional needs are met to help them achieve their goals.

Black Beach for Life
A Sustained and Interconnected Learning Community

Black Beach for Life is a comprehensive initiative that centers the whole student experience, from early outreach to alumni engagement. By fostering meaningful, culturally relevant, and consistent opportunities for connection, this initiative enhances students’ sense of belonging and achievement throughout their academic journey.

Rooted in the African proverb “It takes a village,” Black Beach for Life emphasizes communal support as a key to individual success. In this "village," all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners share the responsibility for each other's well-being and growth. The initiative implements three core principles:

  • Community Support: We create an environment where students are seen, valued, and supported by peers, mentors, and allies who understand and uplift their unique experiences. The Black Beach village is a place where everyone shares in each other’s challenges and successes, knowing that when one succeeds, we all succeed.
  • Collective Responsibility: Every member of the community contributes to the success of others. This means helping peers navigate challenges, celebrating achievements, and ensuring no one feels isolated or unsupported. The impact of our actions extends beyond ourselves, reinforcing the importance of unity.
  • Shared Journey of Success: College is an interconnected journey, and by lifting as we climb, we create a ripple effect of support that strengthens the entire community. Together, we overcome challenges and celebrate milestones, making success more meaningful for everyone.

Inclusive Excellence in the Beach Classroom
Equipping Faculty for Culturally Responsive Instruction

The Inclusive Excellence in the Beach Classroom initiative equips faculty to implement student-centered, evidence-based, and culturally conscious teaching practices through a year-long Faculty Learning Community (FLC). This faculty development program prepares faculty to examine disaggregated data from their courses, identify and address gaps in academic outcomes, and implement changes to enhance students' persistence and success. By focusing on the classroom—where students are most engaged in their academic journey—we aim to ensure all students are welcomed, valued, and affirmed. Rooted in our commitment to being a student-ready campus, this initiative emphasizes empathy and compassion as essential principles of our institutional culture. We invite all faculty to participate, strengthening our shared commitment to upholding the University's values.

A-G Middle School Success Project

  • Establish initial partnership with at least 4 LBUSD middle schools.
  • Promote faculty, staff, and student engagement with LBUSD students, educators, and families through tailored program activities, including (1) on-site A-G academic enrichment and support, (2) CSULB student near-peer tutoring/mentoring, (3) parental/guardian information sessions, (4) high school readiness seminars, (5) cultural activities, (6) CSULB faculty visits, (7) pre-HS advising, (8) Beach campus activities, (9) LBUSD to CSULB curriculum enrichment, (10) mental health and wellness service referrals, and (11) connection to community resources.
    • Engage at least 75 parents/guardians in tailored program activities.
    • Engage at least 300 middle school LBUSD students in 2-4 specific activities.
  • Assess the impact of the initiative including quantitative and qualitative measures.

Guided Pathways to a Beach Major

  • Increase major declaration at 30 and 60 units.
  • Improve A2 and B4 completion among undeclared students.
  • Students will have an assigned SST member as the primary academic support network throughout their first 2 years.
  • SST approaches will be centered on customized pre-Major Maps for undeclared students.
  • SSTs will utilize the EAB coordinated care network platform for monitoring and triaging services, including academic advising, major exploration, student life & wellness, tutoring, veterans services, writing support, Beach Central, etc.

Initiative Outcomes Commencing AY 2025-2026:

  • At least 60% of undeclared FTF students will be prescribed a Pre-Major Map.
  • At least 70% of undeclared FTF students will be eligible to enter their selected major.
  • At least 85% of the SSTs staff and participating faculty advisors will engage in professional development including culturally conscious and responsive-based advising and building advising relationships.

Black Beach for Life

The intended outcomes for this initiative include:

  • At least 90% of participants will engage in two or more BBFL experiences annually.
  • 100% of BBFL participants will participate in at least one high-impact practice (HIP), with at least 70% engaging in more than two HIPs.
  • At least 75% of BBFL student participants will complete a holistic well-being assessment annually to track their growth across the selected domains of well-being.

Inclusive Excellence in the Beach Classroom

By the end of this certificate program and assessment of courses using the Faculty Student Success Dashboard, faculty will be able to:

  • Understand how biases and cultural unawareness may affect student outcomes.
  • Use cultural awareness to create inclusive classroom experiences.
  • Identify the “hidden curriculum” and further understand how to support students.
  • Integrate strategies that foster inclusivity in teaching, interaction, and assessment in the classroom environment.
  • Develop and integrate into future courses inclusive, student-centered syllabi, transparent assignments and expectations, active learning techniques, and alternative assessments that embody the principles of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (CRP).
  • Reduce high failure rates and academic outcome gaps by one year and eliminate gaps by five years.
  • Access the functionality of a Faculty Student Success Dashboard (modeled after CSUF’s FSSD) to monitor their courses, explore course level gaps, trends and improvement.