When Dre Biddle first arrived on campus at Cal State San Marcos three years ago, he admits he felt uncomfortable as one of the only Black students in his classes., where he is a peer coordinator and has founded his own group, the Black Psychology Student Association.
Since 2016, the Black student population at CSUSM has hovered virtually unchanged around 3.2 percent. By comparison, Black people make up 6.4 percent of the San Diego County population, according to 2021 U.S. Census figures. The five-year agreement, which kicks off next fall at CSUSM, will guarantee admission to incoming first-time freshmen and community college transfers who are coalition members who have met the minimum entrance requirements of California State University and other criteria. And once these students are enrolled, they will be supported by programs such as the, Career Center counselors and the Black Student Center, which will also celebrate its fifth anniversary on Saturday.