Season 3 | E:1 "From Counselor to Change Agent: The Bold Strategy Behind HBCU Transfer Guarantees and Faculty Pipeline Reform"

In this powerful episode of Soulful Expressions, we sit down with Dr. Helen P. Young—educator, counselor, administrator, and equity-driven leader with more than 25 years of experience in higher education. From her early days at California State University, Dominguez Hills to her doctoral journey at San Diego State University, Dr. Young has dedicated her career to expanding access, strengthening transfer pathways, and transforming outcomes for historically underrepresented students.As former Project Director of the California Community College Transfer Guarantee to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Dr. Young shares how HBCU transfer partnerships are creating life-changing opportunities for community college students across California. She unpacks the power of representation, faculty diversity, and equity-centered leadership in closing achievement gaps and improving student success.We also explore Pipelines to Possibilities (P2P)—the innovative internship and faculty pipeline program she co-founded to recruit, hire, and retain diverse tenured faculty within the California Community College system. Designed to strengthen HBCU partnerships and build a more inclusive academic workforce, P2P is helping change the face of higher education through intentional collaboration, proactive recruitment, and equity-driven programming.This conversation offers insight, inspiration, and strategy from a woman who is reshaping systems from the inside out. Tune in for a powerful discussion on higher education reform, Black academic excellence, and building sustainable pipelines from community colleges to HBCUs and beyond.