UCSB's strength is its people. Our students arrive from across California, the nation, and the world, bringing with them diverse identities, cultures, and stories that shape what we discover, how we teach, and who we become together. For more about UCSB's student communities, visit our dynamic Admissions website.
That diversity is also reflected in our institutional identity. UCSB holds federal designations that recognize our commitment to serving students who have been underrepresented within university communities.
Federal designations recognize important milestones, but they do not define our commitment. UCSB enrolls the highest number of American Indian students in the UC system, and is home to the American Indian and Indigenous Cultural Resource Center (AIICRC) as well as dedicated efforts supporting Black students, staff, and faculty, including the Office of Black Student Development and the Black Resource Committee, because belonging here is also an intentional practice, not a federal designation.
Chancellor's Advisory Committees
Advisory committees are one of the ways UCSB listens. They bring together faculty, staff, students, and community members to advise the Chancellor on the issues that shape campus life, from sustainability and childcare to the safety and belonging of our most vulnerable communities.
- Campus Planning Committee (CPC)
- Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Antisemitism
- Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Islamophobia and Palestinian Bias
- Chancellor's Advisory Committee on the Status of Women + (CACSW+)
- Chancellor's Advisory Task Force on Childcare
- Chancellor's Campus Sustainability Committee (CCSC)
- Chancellor's Staff Advisory Council (CSAC)
- Chancellor's Student Council (CSC)
- Design Review Committee (DRC)
- Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Board (IAPB)
- Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC)
- Sustainable Transportation Committee
Federal Designations
A Minority-Serving Institution
The UC Office of the President defines Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) as accredited institutions of higher learning that are organized around an identification with, a community presence of or service to a minority group. MSIs are also engines of socioeconomic mobility, expanding opportunity for students from low-income backgrounds. At UCSB, we take an asset-based approach that recognizes students' strengths and experiences while directing our research and resources to support their success and strengthen the communities they serve.
These federal designations are a recognition of who we serve, and a call to keep doing it better.
Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
UCSB earned federal HSI designation in 2015, recognized under the Higher Education Act for enrolling at least 25% Latinx undergraduate students. For 2026-27, Latinx students comprise approximately 30% of our undergraduate population. Holding this designation comes with a responsibility we take seriously, where we continually ask how we can better serve our Latinx community.
UCSB is part of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU), a coalition of 24 premier research institutions that hold HSI designation.
Dr. Veronica Fematt serves as HSI Director within Inclusive Excellence, leading campus initiatives that support the growth and belonging of our students, staff, and faculty. Explore UCSB's HSI programs and activities or learn more about the UC system-wide HSI initiative.
Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI)
UCSB holds the federal AANAPISI designation, recognized under the Higher Education Act for enrolling at least 10% Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander undergraduate students (AANHPI). Currently, our AANHPI communities comprise 27% of our student population. All nine UC undergraduate campuses currently hold this designation, reflecting the University of California's system-wide commitment to serving this community.
The AANAPISI designation enables institutions to implement culturally responsive programs and services, supporting first-generation, low-income students within our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. For us, this designation represents an ongoing commitment to better serve our campus community, including our AANHPI community.
We are actively working to deepen our support for AANHPI students and welcome community input as we grow.
Learn more about the UC system-wide AANAPISI initiative.