Serving Institution

Students First: Cerritos College’s Pursuit of BSI Status and HSI Designation 

Cerritos College is proud to announce our application for designation as a California Black-Serving Institution (BSI), reinforcing our commitment to racial equity and building upon our long-standing recognition as a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). These designations reflect our mission to serve diverse communities through inclusive, high-quality, and student-centered education.

Institutional Commitment to Black Student Success

As part of the BSI designation process, Cerritos College is deepening its support for Black and African American students, with over 3,000 students identifying as Black/African American during the 2024-2025 academic year. Our efforts focus on increasing retention, accelerating completion, and expanding transfer opportunities, especially through partnerships with CSU and UC campuses and over 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We remain committed to closing equity gaps and fostering a campus environment where Black students thrive.

View Cerritos College's BSI Application (PDF)
(posted in accordance with California Senate Bill 1348)

HSI Designation

As a federally recognized HSI, Cerritos College serves a student population that is almost 70% Hispanic/Latino. This designation supports our participation in federal Title III and Title V programs aimed at enhancing academic quality and improving outcomes for low-income and Latinx students. This also underscores our broader institutional focus on closing opportunity gaps and building inclusive excellence across campus.

Eligibility Designations for Higher Education Programs – U.S. Department of Education
View the 2025 Eligibility Matrix (XLSX)