As federal education policies undergo major shifts under the current Trump administration, Los Medanos College is doubling down on its commitment to serving its diverse student body, even as the fate of federal grants targeting minority-serving institutions remains uncertain.
In recent months, changes at the U.S. Department of Education have cast doubt on the future of Title III and Title V funding, leaving grants that are typically awarded to Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other Minority-Serving Institutions. LMC is a federally designated HSI and was planning to apply for a Title V grant in Summer 2025, with goals to increase support for its programs around campus that serve its students.
But, the possible sweeping changes have made the pathway going forward uncertain.
“Given the current environment surrounding the Department of Education, we are now unsure about the status of these grants and the competition this summer even though this funding has already been legislatively approved,” said Ryan Pederson, Senior Dean of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness. “The size of these grants is typically around $1,000,000 per year and would support programs that would significantly improve our ability to serve all students, especially those from traditionally underserved populations.”
The grants would fund critical programs at LMC such as our PUENTE, and UMOJA learning communities, academic coaching, and culturally responsive curriculum development.
Pederson emphasized that federal funds make up a relatively small portion of the district’s overall budget, accounting for about 17% of the $47.2 million LMC received in the 2023-24 school year. However, the impact of losing targeted equity grants would still be felt across campus in many other ways.
A vast majority of the federal funding that comes to LMC is in the form of student aid which includes, Pell Grants and student loans. If funds were to be adjusted in any way this would show a big impact on many of our students who receive this money and not as much to the schools actual budget.
However, LMC’s programs would still be hurt. “Even if the operations budget stays stable, the loss of program-specific grants hurts our ability to innovate and improve equity,” said Pedersen.
President Pamela Ralston echoed these concerns while still reaffirming the college’s long-standing mission to close equity gaps and promote inclusive success.
While talking about LMC’s work under past federal grants, Ralston said “The work that we did under those grants changed, not just the outcomes for Latino students, but the outcomes for all of our students improved.” A testament to the importance of equity. “When you are seen, when you are known, when you are cared for, when you’re supported and encouraged, you tend to do better.”
Ralston noted that while external grants have helped fund the school in the past, the college has increasingly invested in long-term, campus-wide efforts that don’t rely solely on federal dollars. Not waiting or depending on Washington to enrich the experience of its own local community.
Despite the uncertainty, Pederson remains hopeful that federal opportunities will re-emerge.
“We are still hopeful,” he said. “While we are a proud Federally designated “Hispanic Serving Institution” we do not currently have a Title III/V HSI Grant.”
LMC is staying ready to respond to any announcements from the Department of Education but is forever committed to having diversity, equity, and inclusion on its campus be a necessity, not an option.
“It’s just a really serious commitment,” said Ralston. “Our whole goal and our mission is to serve everyone in our community exactly the way they need to be served, so that they get out of this exactly what they want.”
