Transforming Higher Ed: How Dr. Helen Young is Reimagining Access for Students of Color

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In this powerful episode of Conscious Pathways, host Brittney Carey sits down with Dr. Helen P. Young—educator, counselor, and advocate for equity in higher education. With over 25 years of experience in both K–12 and community college settings, Dr. Young shares her inspiring journey into education, the challenges she’s faced as a Black woman in academia, and her groundbreaking work to create pathways from California community colleges to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Dr. Young dives into the California Community College Transfer Guarantee to HBCUs, a program she helped lead to ensure students—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—have access to meaningful higher education opportunities. We also explore her co-founded initiative, Pipelines to Possibilities (P2P), which supports and prepares HBCU graduate students to become leaders in California’s community college system.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or social justice advocate, this episode offers practical insights into how we can better support students of color and reimagine the educational systems that shape their futures.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• Why transfer pathways to HBCUs matter
• How parents can advocate for college access
• The realities educators of color face in higher ed
• What true mentorship and systemic change can look like

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