UC Davis earlier this month was designated a Black-Serving Institution by the state. 

UCD becomes one of three Sacramento-area colleges and universities to have the designation, including Sacramento City College and Sacramento State.

UCD Chancellor Gary S. May said such a designation shows current and prospective students there are networks and resources to help them.

“Our university celebrates and supports Black excellence, history and futures in our commitment to serving California’s diverse population,” May said in a press release. 

Black-Serving Institution designations began last year through California Senate Bill 1348 to help address barriers and disparities for Black students in higher education.

To qualify for the designation, at least 10% or 1,500 of a college or university’s undergraduate, graduate and professional students must identify as Black or African American.

In fall 2025, more than 1,700 UCD students, or roughly 4% of the student body, identified as Black or African American.

One program the university highlights is the UC-HBCU Initiative, a summer program hosting undergraduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to explore graduate school opportunities. In addition, as at Sacramento State, UCD conducts Black affinity graduations.

“As students of color face growing attacks across the nation, California is choosing a different path — one rooted in partnership, accountability and a shared commitment to our students,” Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, chair of the program’s board, said in a press release.

In addition to the new designation, UCD also has federal status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.

Although minority-serving institutions remain federally recognized, the U.S. Department of Education announced in September it would discontinue $350 million in grants to them.

The initiative that created Black Serving Institutions remains confined to California, with no federal commitment to expand it nationally as with similar initiatives.

The 107 colleges and universities identified by the federal government as HBCUs are the only federally recognized Black-Serving Institutions.