Classroom to the Airwaves: Laney Students and Alumni Connect at KQED

On April 22, Adult Education project manager Nik Howell and faculty member Marla Leech led a group of Laney College students on an inspiring behind-the-scenes tour of the KQED headquarters in San Francisco. The visit was more than just a tour; it was an exciting opportunity to see the "Peralta-to-professional" pipeline in action.

KQED is of course the powerhouse of public broadcasting in the San Francisco Bay Area, operating both radio and television stations. The group was greeted by one of the station's newest employees, Laney alumna Rikki Gates, whose journey with the college spanned two decades. After first enrolling in film classes taught by Professor Leech ages ago, Rikki returned to campus last year, where she worked with Howell to navigate the system and complete her Associate’s degree in Business Administration.

Since starting at KQED last fall, Rikki’s dynamic voice has already earned her voiceover opportunities—and a path toward joining the SAG-AFTRA union. "$400 for eight minutes of work!" Rikki noted with a grin while discussing her burgeoning media career.

Students joining Nik and Marla on the visit with Rikki included:

• Gino Vallejo: An Adult Education student, Gino is set to receive his high school diploma this May. He has already completed several college courses through concurrent enrollment and has been a key advocate for the Ability to Benefit program, which provides critical financial aid to adult school students in career pathway programs.
• Kylie Tsao: A student worker and graphic designer from Taiwan, Kylie will graduate this spring with a certificate in Applied Graphic Design and Digital Imaging. Reflecting on her opportunities to tour industry giants like Pixar and KQED, Kylie noted, "I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do this back home. I wouldn't even know who to talk to or where to start." Her dream is to move into motion graphics for the LA Dodgers.
• Tamara Copes: A journalist for The Citizen and a Welcome Center student worker, Tamara returned to Laney in 2024 and will soon graduate. After earning her Associate’s degree in Journalism, she is preparing to transfer to San Francisco State University this fall to pursue her Bachelor’s degree.

Industry Insights

During the visit, the students also met with Brian Watt, a staple of morning radio. Watt shared memories of visiting the Laney campus years ago. The group even got a taste of the spotlight on the set of Check, Please! Bay Area. While testing out the studio’s green screen technology, they shared a laugh when a Laney Love green heart pin—held up by Howell—completely vanished into the digital background.

The day concluded in the Mission District over lunch at a local pupuseria, where the students discussed their future careers. From adult education milestones to prestigious university transfers, the visit to KQED served as a reminder that Peralta students really can "Love Your Future" as the professional world is well within reach.

Many thanks to Nik Howell and Marla Leech for photos and input for this article.