In this episode we talk about all things Black Serving Institution (BSI), a new designation in California that creates a pathway for public and private colleges and universities to commit resources to advance the success of Black students. The designation requires campuses to demonstrate programs dedicated to Black student success, such as African-American studies and affinity spaces, as well as a track record of strong Black retention, transfer, and graduation rates. Dr. Keith Curry, president of Compton College, joins the conversation and tells us about how his freedom dream to create a BSI designation became reality. We discuss the ways BSIs can embrace servingness, the importance of upfront accountability and strategic planning compared to federal enrollment-based designations, and strategies for truly serving Black students rather than just enrolling them. We also highlight Compton College’s comprehensive approach to supporting all students' basic needs, including a housing project underway, another freedom dream becoming a reality for Dr. Curry. In this “riff” (as Dr. Curry uses) we talk about cross-racial collaboration and solidarity, as well as building relationships with external partners like donors, legislators, and the community to advance Black student success. This episode is for all our HSI, BSI, AANAPISI, and multi-designated listeners.

Guest:

Keith Curry (he, him)

President, Compton College

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/keith-curry-7285b46

Website: https://iamkeithcurry.org/

Show notes:

• New California bill seeks crucial funding for Black students
• California community college leader urges funding for Black-Serving Institutions grant program after bill stalls
• California bill would create ‘Black-Serving Institution’ designation
• Black California students want more support. A new law names colleges that serve them best
• SB 1348: Postsecondary education: Designation of California Black-Serving Institutions
• https://www.theeduledger.com/from-the-magazine/article/15747360/defining-servingness-at-blackserving-institutions

APA Citation:

Garcia, G. A. (Host). (2026, February 15). Dr. Keith Curry’s Freedom Dream: Becoming Black Serving Institutions (No.703) [Audio podcast episode]. In ¿Qué pasa, HSIs?.

In this episode of ¿Qué pasa, HSIs? we discuss the road to healing following the defunding of Title V grants that support HSIs. Our guests Dra. Melissa Menendez and Nathalie Quintero share their personal stories working at a Title V-funded HSI, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), and the aftermath of the September 10, 2025 announcement to reprogram enrollment-based MSI funding. They describe how the Title V grants were used to create programs and initiatives that cultivated a sense of community, celebrated Latine/x culture, and provided academic and student support services. Funding was also used to create the Raíces Faculty Institute which supported the training and professional development of faculty at SBCC. The sudden loss of this funding has created uncertainty and grief, and our guests grapple with the loss of jobs, services, and programs. Despite the challenges, Melissa and Nathalie express hope in finding joy through their communities of fellow HSI practitioners and a shared commitment to continuing this important work.

Guests:

Melissa Menendez (she, her, ella)

Title V HSI Grant Director & Professor, Santa Barbara City College

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/melissa-menendez-ph-d-880220336

Nathalie Quintero (she, her)

Raíces Program Advisor, Raíces First Year and Beyond, Santa Barbara City College

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-quintero

Attachments / Show notes:

• https://sbcc.edu/raices/

APA Citation:

Garcia, G.A. (Host). (2026, February 1). Balancing Hope and Loss Amidst Title V Defunding (No.702) [Audio podcast episode]. In ¿Qué pasa, HSIs?.

We kick off season 7 of ¿Qué pasa, HSIs? discussing the $507.9 million loss to HSIs following the Department of Education’s announcement to defund enrollment-based MSIs on September 10, 2025. This conversation explores the current state of HSIs under the 47th president of the United States as well as the complex ways HSIs have leveraged Title V funds over the last 25 years. Our guest Dr. Rebecca Perdomo provides key insights into policy research including the ways HSIs have taken an "opportunistic" approach to grant-seeking amidst chronic underfunding compared to predominantly white institutions, with lower expenditures per student and significant deferred maintenance backlogs. We also explore the research on how HSIs promote upward social and economic mobility for their students showing that HSI outperform non-HSIs in promoting mobility. Dr. Perdomo’s stance is clear: racialized funding streams like Title III and Title V are critical to supporting HSIs and the students they serve. Despite the grief and anger over HSI funding losses, the HSI community must fight back and remain resolute in continuing their mission-driven work to support Latine/x students and communities. In this episode we call on HSI advocates to elevate the stories of resilience, hope, and success and to make the case for continued investment in HSIs.

Guest:

Rebecca Perdomo (she, her)

Senior Research Associate & Independent Consultant, Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Justice

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-perdomo-phd

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/rebeccaperdomophd

Show Notes:

• Generational Jumps? How HSIs Promote Upward Mobility
• Caring vs. Capitalizing: How HSIs Leverage Title V Funds
• The Impact of Trump Administration Funding Cuts on Hispanic-Serving Institutions
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/marybethgasman/2026/01/08/experts-chime-in-on-ed-depts-assessment-of-race-based-minority-serving-institutions/

APA Citation:

Garcia, G.A. (Host). (2026, January 11). The $507.9 Million Loss: HSIs Under Attack and Fighting Back. (No.701) [Audio podcast episode]. In ¿Qué pasa, HSIs?.