Fall 2024 Preparations at BCC’s Manager’s Retreat
On Thursday, August 8, Berkeley City College administrators convened at their annual Manager’s Retreat at the Faculty Club at UC Berkeley. President Richardson led the group through team-building exercises, an overview of the College’s strategic plan, a discussion on innovative approaches to closing equity gaps, and a review of the Mission, Vision, and Values. These topics will be revisited with the college community at BCC’s Flex Day on August 16.
Growing BCC Education Apprenticeships Provide Pathways to Higher Wages
Berkeley City College is committed to aligning its programs with Vision 2030. BCC’s Teacher Preparation Program has registered 226 apprentices, up from 142 this past year. The major growth comes from 84 new apprentices registered in the Early Educator Apprentices at YMCA of the East Bay. “Under the determined leadership of Dr. Joya Chavarin, BCC is making a huge step towards Vision 2030’s action under the strategic direction of workforce development in education,” said Dean Chris Lewis. “These apprentices are now on their way to higher wages in a critical sector!”
Enrollment Workshops and Express Registration Support Fall ‘25 Students
Berkeley City College hosted Enrollment Workshops on campus beginning July 22 every Monday through Wednesday through August 7 to support students with the BCC Application, Financial Aid Application, enrollment support, student portal access, and Canvas support. Over 150 students were served at these in-person events. We thank the Outreach and Counseling teams and the Student Ambassadors for providing hands-on support for students interested in Berkeley City College.
We will also provide Express Registration events in-person and online from August 19 through August 29 to provide last-minute support for students needing help finalizing their class schedules. Monday and Tuesday will be virtual via Zoom, and Wednesday and Thursday will be in-person on campus at Quick Stop Counseling and in Room 126.
Celebrating John Nguyen’s Career at Berkeley City College
On Tuesday, August 6, Berkeley City College celebrated and bid farewell to Associate Dean John Nguyen who has been selected as the Dean of Enrollment Services at College of Alameda. People gathered in the 4th floor conference room to enjoy John’s favorite foods, listen to his favorite music playlist, and share laughter and stories from John’s 5 years at BCC. People highlighted his mentorship and engagement with students, which fostered a thriving club community and unprecedented student government involvement at Berkeley City College. We thank John for his service at Berkeley City College and wish him continued success in his new role at College of Alameda.
Art, Games, and Education at Afro ComicCon
On Thursday, June 27th Berkeley City College hosted Afro ComicCon’s Juneteenth celebration, hosted in partnership with the Regional Virtual Production Academy and the Oakland Technology and Education Center (OTEC). It was a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, and community.
“Afro ComicCon is an event for people of color and women in the arts, media tech, and entertainment,” said Afro ComicCon co-founder Hally Bellah-Guther. “We want to not just talk the talk in terms of showcasing amazing events, but we also want to help provide pathways for youth, especially from communities of color, to get into the industry.”
Community members were invited on campus to play games and cosplay as their favorite comic book characters. There were themed photo backdrops celebrating Black superheroes and local hip-hop artists. Berkeley City College’s Multimedia Arts department also showcased the cool technology and tools of their video game, video production, and digital arts programs.
The event also featured a panel of local artists moderated by Olivia Hereford of the Regional Virtual Production Academy (RVPA). The discussion spotlighted Black creatives in animation, gaming, and virtual production, offering valuable insights and networking opportunities. The RVPA also set up a showcase table, providing attendees with information about the program and its impact.
“The vendors were great. It was fun to see all the different forms of comic and game art,” said Dean Chris Lewis. “I especially enjoyed meeting with students and community members who wanted to learn more about BCC’s MMart programs.”
Berkeley City College looks forward to partnering with Afro ComicCon, RVPA, and OTEC for future events.
This article is taken from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Denise Richardson, Berkeley City College President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. To view it as a PDF, click here.