In Their Own Words: Students Share the Vital Importance of DEIA from the League’s January Legislative Conference

2025—Sacramento | In Their Own Words: Students Share the Vital Importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility—

With an ever-present goal of “putting students first,” California Community Colleges, serving the largest and most diverse student body in higher education, must stay committed to ensuring student excellence and success by fostering trusting relationships and creating a safe and welcoming campus for everyone.

For the Community College League of California’s Annual Legislative Conference in January, the Trustee Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee put together a great panel of current and former California Community College (CCC) students. They shared how their college experiences and life challenges shaped their personal, academic, and professional success. Dr. Abdimalik Buul, EdD, Visiting Executive of Institutional Equity, Innovation, and Strategic Impact at the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, did an excellent job moderating the panel. The panel included Christopher Burkhardt – President of A2MEND Student Charter Institution/Organization San Jose, Zara Ainge, State CCCT Student Trustee Institution/Organization Foothill DeAnza CCD, Briana Levy, Former CCC to HBCU Pathway student, and Doctoral Student at Xavier University, Ryann Mejia-Gonzales, Senator, Associated Students of Foothill College, and Shawn Sophal Tan, Student Trustee, Yuba Community College District | Woodland Community College.

These amazing students highlighted the importance of learning and engaging in a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible educational environment. They shared their journeys and noted how they sometimes doubted if higher education was a viable path due to academic and social challenges. Whether they dropped out of high school, returned after years in the working world, or struggled to find a safe and caring community of learners, their stories showed how student support services and caring, culturally responsive faculty and staff ensured their comfort and success. The students also advocated for clear basic needs and wrap-around social services and policies that address the historical marginalization of many communities, ensuring equitable access and success. This panel reminded us that inclusive, intentional, and equitable practices are the responsibility of every college stakeholder, especially Administration, Trustees, Faculty, and Classified Professionals.