Dear Cal alums, parents, and friends,
Carson Bethea, an undergraduate at Morehouse College in Atlanta, had a Black teacher in fifth grade who allowed Carson to be himself, but was harder on him than anyone else. Carson didn’t understand it at the time, “but as I grew up,” he said, “I admired him because, no matter what, I knew he cared, and he showed up consistently.” Last summer, as part of an educator development program, Carson paid forward the influence that teacher had on his life by helping third graders from an underprivileged neighborhood improve their reading proficiency.
Today Carson is one of six scholars from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who will come to Berkeley this summer for a seven-week immersion in hands-on research. They are the first cohort to benefit from an historic grant aimed at strengthening pathways for HBCU students to pursue a PhD in education or the social sciences. Being mentored by Berkeley faculty is a core component of the program. “This is a symbiotic endeavor. By incorporating scholars into the Berkeley ecosystem, they will leave prepared to transition into PhD programs,” said Travis Bristol, the grant’s lead and faculty director of Berkeley’s Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity. “In turn, these scholars, who have thrived at HBCUs, can teach us how to create similar conditions for Berkeley’s Black students, and all students.”
This grant is a testament to another significant milestone: Berkeley is among the first California colleges and universities to be designated as a Black-Serving Institution (BSI). The recognition is part of a new state initiative to address persistent disparities in access, retention, and degree completion as well as advance Black student success.
Just over 2,000 students identified as Black or African American in fall 2025, a jump from where we were about 10 years ago. Since then, the university has engaged in several efforts to enroll more admitted Black and African American students (aka to increase yield) and help them build community and thrive in their studies. At the same time we have expanded the network of programs and partnerships that prioritize these students’ well-being.
As the world’s preeminent public university, we have a stake in modeling the kind of society we want to build, one in which everyone feels welcomed and respected for their contributions to the pursuit of excellence. As such, we must strengthen our resolve to evolve and to ensure that every student we admit has access to a potential-realizing education and the support they need. As Carson’s fifth grade teacher did for him, let’s keep showing up. Thank you for showing up for Berkeley.
Fiat Lux, and Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Chancellor’s Choice
Video: Research Impact Fund— Since UC Berkeley’s beginning, and for all of the innovations we are known for, we have relied on public and private support to sustain and enhance our excellence. But that funding landscape is shifting. The recently launched Berkeley Research Impact Fund provides flexible support for projects currently underway to ensure critical research is sustained during this uncertain time. Watch a video and learn more about how you can partner with us to keep Berkeley, Berkeley
Books: Summer reading list— The Library’s annual summer reading list includes a wide range of fiction and nonfiction books recommended by enthusiastic Cal faculty, staff, and students. Themed around the concept of “mutuality,” each work explores interdependence and shared experience and invites us into deeper conversations about how we connect with one another and the world. Explore the list.