AI’s potential for personalization offers a compelling solution. AI-powered tools can analyze student data to identify individual learning gaps, curate culturally relevant resources, and generate personalized learning paths. Imagine an AI tutor providing real-time feedback in a student’s native language, or an AI-powered platform recommending texts and videos that reflect a student’s cultural background, fostering a deeper connection to the learning material. This level of bespoke support moves beyond simply delivering content; it acknowledges and celebrates individual identities, making learning more accessible and resonant.

Since February, the “Dear Colleague Letter” from the U.S. Department of Education has sparked national debate over the legality of affinity spaces in higher education. Amid this uncertainty, California stands firm with legislative support to sustain affirming spaces for marginalized students. As LAist recently reported, these conversations are intensifying during commencement season.“In California we have the backing of the Legislature and the governor vis-a-vis their funding allocations to do these types of affinity graduations,” states Dr. Eric Felix of San Diego State University. We echo this call-not to retreat, but to deepen our commitment to practices like Lavender Graduations.

For many marginalized groups, attending college remains an unattainable goal, with most questioning if the tassel is worth the hassle. Recent trends indicate fewer Latino and Black high school students aspire to attend college, with numbers dropping considerably in the past few years. Experts attribute this trend to rising inflation, low unemployment rates, and increasing college costs, which have made the opportunity cost of higher education exceptionally high for low-income, first-generation students and men of color.