On May 20, 2025, the Peralta Community College District held its annual Lavender Graduation at the College of Alameda (COA). This commencement ceremony honors the accomplishments of our LGBTQIA+ students, recognizing their unique journeys and contributions to our campus community. The event, open to all, and filled with food, music, love, and a strong sense of community, recognized the perseverance and triumphs of the graduating class.
Love and Belonging Celebrated at the Lavender Graduation
May 30, 2025 3:39:59 PM / by Mark Johnson -->
DAS Elects New Leadership and Honors Joseph Bielanski
May 30, 2025 11:06:03 AM / by Mark Johnson -->
Peralta’s District Academic Senate (DAS) wrapped up the 2024-25 school year on May 20, 2025, with a special session in the district boardroom. The meeting saw DAS elect officers for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year — to be led by Laney's Leslie Blackie as president — and salute retiring 10+1 champion Joseph Bielanski
Unleash Your Potential at the AI Futures Hackathon!
May 30, 2025 10:59:10 AM / by Tuan Nguyen -->
Get ready to innovate! The "AI Futures" Hackathon is set to ignite creativity and problem-solving at Laney College on June 7th and 8th, 2025. This exciting two-day event invites aspiring high school and college students and others to build groundbreaking AI solutions.
Rene Rivas Classified Senate Scholarship 2025 Awardees
May 30, 2025 10:43:25 AM / by Johnathan Freeman -->
On behalf of the Laney College Classified Senate, Peralta is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Rene Rivas Classified Senate Scholarship. Although Rene’s family could not attend the ceremony, they thoughtfully reviewed the applications and selected the awardees listed below. Each recipient was awarded a $500 scholarship to support their educational goals.
New Chat Feature on the PeraltaSafety App
May 30, 2025 10:20:36 AM / by Abdul Pridgen -->
The Department of Community Safety is excited to highlight a new chat feature in the PeraltaSafety app, designed to make it easier for students, faculty, and staff to connect with us quickly and discreetly. This app enhancement reflects our unwavering commitment to making safety accessible, responsive, and user-centered across the District.
June 2025 Peralta TV Highlights
May 30, 2025 9:09:54 AM / by Johnathan Freeman -->
Peralta TV can be seen on
Channel 27: Alameda, Berkeley
Channel 28: Emeryville, Piedmont, Oakland
AT&T U-Verse Channel 99
2025 Raíces Latinx Graduation: Seguiremos Floreciendo
May 28, 2025 4:27:45 PM / by Mark Johnson -->
Berkeley, CA – On May 14, 2025, the Peralta Community College District held its fifth annual Raíces Latinx Graduation celebration at Berkeley City College. The event, open to all, honored the achievements of Latinx graduates from Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College, marking a significant milestone for students and their families.
Celebrating the African/African American Class of 2025
May 28, 2025 9:40:02 AM / by Mark Johnson -->
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Peralta Association of African American Affairs (PAAAA) proudly hosted its 17th Annual African/African American Graduation for the Peralta Community College District. The vibrant event, open to all, celebrated the rich tapestry of the African diaspora while honoring the remarkable achievements of graduates from Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College.
Peralta Colleges Celebrate 2025 AAPI Graduates in District-Wide Ceremony
May 23, 2025 1:51:00 PM / by Mark Johnson -->
OAKLAND, CA – On Friday, May 9, 2025, the Peralta Community College District hosted its second annual district-wide Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Graduation Celebration, bringing together students, families, faculty, and staff from Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College to honor the achievements of the graduating class of 2025.
Merritt College President's Report – May 13, 2025
May 21, 2025 3:43:52 PM / by David M. Johnson -->
Merritt College Hosts First-Ever Sneaker Ball
Merritt College closed out April and capped off California Community Colleges Black Student Success Week (BSSW) with our first-ever Sneaker Ball! The purpose of BSSW is to emphasize how institutions are supporting underserved students (including but not limited to Black and African American students), to ensure their success in community colleges and beyond.