March 2-8 marked Women in Construction Week, a time to celebrate and encourage women’s vital contributions to the building trades. At Peralta Community College District, the ongoing Berkeley City College (BCC) Milvia Street construction project in downtown Berkeley stands as a powerful example of women’s leadership in action.

The JuneSteingart Gallery at Laney College buzzed with creative energy on Wednesday, March 5th, as the Peralta community gathered to celebrate the opening reception of "CLAY PAPER WOOD." This  exhibition, showcasing the diverse talents of over 20 advanced students from Laney's Ceramics, Printmaking, and Wood Technology classes, proved to be a resounding success. The exhibition opened on February 18th and runs through March 28th. Go see the work when you can!

On Friday, February 28, 2025, the Peralta Community College District headquarters buzzed with festive energy as we celebrated the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake. The event, filled with cultural richness and community spirit, brought together faculty, classified professionals, students, and district leadership for an afternoon of celebration and learning. 

A spirit of pride and collaboration filled the air on January 28th as Laney College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the stunning Tiny House crafted by its talented Carpentry students. Under the expansive Construction Canopy, students, faculty, and community members gathered to witness the culmination of months of dedication and hard work.

We at the Peralta Colleges care about your success as a student. You are invited to participate in a survey to help us better understand the challenges students face while attending college and to learn more about how students overcome these challenges. Starting March 3, 2025, the 2025 Real College Student Basic Needs Survey is open to all California Community College students, including here at Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College. Your participation is your chance to directly influence the support you receive and make a real difference in your college experience.

The Peralta Community College District is buzzing with excitement as both the Laney College women's basketball team and the College of Alameda men's basketball team showcased their talent in the 3C2A California Community Colleges Athletics Association playoffs!

On February 21, 2025, the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center in partnership with the Peralta Community College District hosted a forum dedicated to civic engagement, bringing together community leaders, elected officials, and citizens to discuss the vital importance of defending democratic principles in today's challenging political climate.

Peralta Community College District Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson is featured in a two-part episode of the EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast, exploring California’s new Black-Serving Institution (BSI) designation. This significant legislation, Senate Bill 1348, allows community colleges with a substantial Black student population (10% or 1,500 students) to seek BSI status.  Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College are included among the California Community Colleges that meet the eligibility criteria to apply for the designation.  

Congratulations to Dr. Denise Richardson, President of Berkeley City College, and her co-author, Dr. Alfred McQuarters, President of Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, for the publication of their article in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a national magazine with over 35,000 readers.

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Budget Town Hall meeting on Friday, January 31, 2025, hosted by Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District, and Greg Nelson, Deputy Chancellor and COO. The Zoom meeting was well attended with 300 participants on the call.