Over the past decade or so, Los Medanos College has incorporated many diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives across campus. Rosa Armendariz, dean of the Office of Equity & Inclusion, claims these programs help create a safe community for people to feel welcome. The Puente, MESA, UMOJA and the Transfer Academy are all good examples of programs inspired by DEIB, and the focus of federal grants for DEIB has been directed to these learning communities to help all students.

Armendariz argues that by creating these robust learning communities, “We can close the gaps not just in historically underserved communities, but the wider student population.” 

All services under the DEIB banner at LMC accept applications from students no matter their background and all can benefit, not just historically underserved communities. “The work in this office is not solely focused on certain populations, we are also looking at the health of the whole organization,” she added.

 The key word in DEIB is belonging, or creating a sense of belonging within all students, she said.

Jessenia Suarez, a biology professor who was once a student at LMC, utilized MESA when she was a student in 2016. 

“I didn’t get to use all of the resources MESA provides but I did use the MESA center for studying, I did use it for the books, I had instructors do office hours up there, they have computers up there too.” 

Suarez was also a student parent and did not use DSPS or any of the other EOPS programs, but she advocates for all of her students to utilize all of the resources available at LMC.

 “I want to bring my lesson to my classroom. Don’t do what I did.”

According to Armendariz, MESA was created by funding from LMC being a Hispanic Serving Institution. LMC received grant funding through HSI for six years between 2010 and 2016, using the funds to create many programs at LMC today. With the current presidential administration promising an end to DEIB programs, many may lose funding.

 “What we are hearing from DC is that they’re going to cut a lot of those opportunities, especially if they are DEI oriented,” Armendariz said. 

While LMC does not currently have any federal funding grants, new grants have been halted and no new applications are being accepted. 

Andrew Murphy, Extended Opportunity Programs & Services program coordinator, says it may negatively “Impact the growth of the campus, the programs we already have in effect.”

 Murphy is also the coordinator for the Brothers Of Excellence Program, an organization focused on giving African American men academic skills at LMC. He is hopeful that organizations like this will persist, as the drive for their existence comes from passionate people on a local level. Funding for the maintenance of the learning communities comes from the state level and appears to be safe for now. 

Murphy did share reservations, however, as some programs at LMC are funded at a federal level. Veterans Affairs, DSPS and other services are maintained by the federal government. Murphy warns that the mindset behind getting rid of these programs is that “people are abusing them, but they’re not realizing how much of our community will be impacted.” 

Armendariz made clear the goal is community building. 

“It’s about creating a campus where students and employees feel seen, that they feel heard and like they belong.” 

LMC has been supporting its community even before it was called DEIB, Armendariz recalls. “Years ago when I started as an educator, before DEI as titles for positions, whatever role you were in…you serve your community and meet them at their needs.” 

 Over the past decade or so, Los Medanos College has incorporated many diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives across campus. Rosa Armendariz, dean of the Office of Equity & Inclusion, claims these programs help create a safe community for people to feel welcome. The Puente, MESA, UMOJA and the Transfer Academy are all good examples of programs inspired by DEIB, and the focus of federal grants for DEIB has been directed to these learning communities to help all students.

Armendariz argues that by creating these robust learning communities, “We can close the gaps not just in historically underserved communities, but the wider student population.” 

All services under the DEIB banner at LMC accept applications from students no matter their background and all can benefit, not just historically underserved communities. “The work in this office is not solely focused on certain populations, we are also looking at the health of the whole organization,” she added.

 The key word in DEIB is belonging, or creating a sense of belonging within all students, she said.

Jessenia Suarez, a biology professor who was once a student at LMC, utilized MESA when she was a student in 2016. 

“I didn’t get to use all of the resources MESA provides but I did use the MESA center for studying, I did use it for the books, I had instructors do office hours up there, they have computers up there too.” 

Suarez was also a student parent and did not use DSPS or any of the other EOPS programs, but she advocates for all of her students to utilize all of the resources available at LMC.

 “I want to bring my lesson to my classroom. Don’t do what I did.”

According to Armendariz, MESA was created by funding from LMC being a Hispanic Serving Institution. LMC received grant funding through HSI for six years between 2010 and 2016, using the funds to create many programs at LMC today. With the current presidential administration promising an end to DEIB programs, many may lose funding.

 “What we are hearing from DC is that they’re going to cut a lot of those opportunities, especially if they are DEI oriented,” Armendariz said. 

While LMC does not currently have any federal funding grants, new grants have been halted and no new applications are being accepted. 

Andrew Murphy, Extended Opportunity Programs & Services program coordinator, says it may negatively “Impact the growth of the campus, the programs we already have in effect.”

 Murphy is also the coordinator for the Brothers Of Excellence Program, an organization focused on giving African American men academic skills at LMC. He is hopeful that organizations like this will persist, as the drive for their existence comes from passionate people on a local level. Funding for the maintenance of the learning communities comes from the state level and appears to be safe for now. 

Murphy did share reservations, however, as some programs at LMC are funded at a federal level. Veterans Affairs, DSPS and other services are maintained by the federal government. Murphy warns that the mindset behind getting rid of these programs is that “people are abusing them, but they’re not realizing how much of our community will be impacted.” 

Armendariz made clear the goal is community building. 

“It’s about creating a campus where students and employees feel seen, that they feel heard and like they belong.” 

LMC has been supporting its community even before it was called DEIB, Armendariz recalls. “Years ago when I started as an educator, before DEI as titles for positions, whatever role you were in…you serve your community and meet them at their needs.”