Jasmin Shirazian is a first generation Iranian-American journalist writing about higher education at Cal Poly Humboldt for CalMatters. She joined CalMatters in 2024 as a fellow for the CalMatters College Journalism Network. Shirazian has been a reporter, copy editor and columnist for Cal Poly Humboldt’s student-run newspaper, The Lumberjack, since 2022, as well as the social media manager and DJ for the student-run radio, KRFH. She also freelances as a reporter for The North Coast Journal in Humboldt County and writes for her personal blog, Jasmin’s Corner. She chose her career after watching a TV show that helped her recognize her love for writing and, especially, copy editing. Outside of journalism, Shirazian loves her cat, spending quality time with loved ones, thrifting and collecting somewhat unsettling art pieces.
A new law taking effect Jan. 1 creates a Black-Serving Institution designation for colleges and universities in California that excel in supporting student success. Campus presidents say the designation will help them recruit Black students and give them an HBCU-like experience in their home state instead of having to leave California for college.