Nearly two-thirds of African American/ Black individuals who attend college in California begin their postsecondary journey at a community college—yet, they are not being provided the supports necessary to succeed, as evidenced by the fact that nearly half wind up leaving without any degree or certificate and without transferring to a university.
California recognizes the critical importance of transfer in ultimately achieving a diverse, qualified workforce. The transfer goals outlined in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Vision for Success, the state’s Guided Pathways movement, and the establishment and expansion of the Associate Degree for Transfer (AD-T) are all working to strengthen transfer outcomes. Yet, only 3% of African American/Black students successfully transfer from a California community college (CCC) to a university in two years, and just 35% successfully transfer within six years, compared with 45% of their White peers.
Achieving the goal of transfer is critical, as not only are lifetime earnings significantly higher for those who attain a bachelor’s degree, but the availability of jobs for those with only a high school diploma is also declining.3 Decreasing existing racial inequities in transfer rates is a key strategy for increasing racial and income equality, as doing so will increase diversity within the workforce and provide an educational bridge to economic mobility to individuals with historically limited access to high-skill and living-wage careers.