Summer Institute for HBCU Students Receives Continuous State Funding Under Portantino Proposal Adopted by the Legislature

Sacramento, CA – As the Chair of Budget Subcommittee on Education, Senator Anthony J. Portantino is proud to announce that the 2017-2018 budget includes significant investments in educational opportunities for California’s diverse communities.

Specifically, under Portantino’s leadership, $300,000 in ongoing funding was secured for the University of California’s Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders. This is a unique career-building fellowship for students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). 

The Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders was established by the University of California through the leadership of Portantino and Pasadena Journal Publisher Joe Hopkins. The Institute provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to spend two weeks each summer learning from world-class Business Leaders at one of the University of California's graduate business schools.  It seeks to establish a pipeline for future MBA students from HBCUs and HSIs.  The program is in its sixth year.  To date, it has relied on private funding each year.  Portantino’s 2017-2018 budget proposal establishes a continued funding source for each individual campus and for a position in the UC Office of the President to oversee the program and bring accountability and follow-up to improve success.

“I am very pleased to see State support for this important program. The mission of the institute is to inspire high achieving African American and Latino students to attend business school and become future entrepreneurs. Having ongoing State funding will allow the program to expand its structure and enroll even more students,” commented Portantino.

In addition, the 2017-2018 budget includes $2.5 million dollars for the Umoja program, which provides strategic support for African American community college students for transfer as well as developing other aspects of their career paths. The program helps its members navigate the college environment and achieve academic success.  As Chair of the Budget Subcommittee, Portantino was eager to embrace this proposal submitted by Budget Chair Holly Mitchell as a top priority of the Legislative Black Caucus Chaired by Assemblymember Chris Holden.

With this increased funding, the Umoja Program will be able to expand its reach and add more of programs at various community colleges and high schools. It will provide significant support services for many African American students.

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Sen. Portantino represents nearly 930,000 people in the 25th Senate District, which includes Altadena, Atwater Village, Bradbury, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Verne, Lake View Terrace, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Pasadena, San Dimas, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland-Tujunga, and Upland.