College of Alameda President's Report

CoA Aviation Program Featured in CCC’s Outlook News Article

The California Community College’s Outlook Newsletter recently featured College of Alameda’s Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program in an article titled “Taking Flight: California Community Colleges Launching Careers in Aviation.” The article highlights the importance of the airlines industry to California’s economy and the urgent need for qualified aviation mechanics. While there is currently a waiting list to enroll, the AMT program is poised to expand its enrollment next year when its new hangar project is completed. Congratulations to AMT faculty and staff, Department Chair Hoi Ko, Professors George Cruz and Bruce Pettyjohn, Aviation Maintenance Technology Senior Supervisor, Esther Cheng, Dean of Career and Workforce Education Eva Denise Jennings, and Acting Vice President of Instruction Dr. Diana Bajrami for this special recognition.

Welcome New Staff!

Mr. Saurav Pudasaini has joined College of Alameda’s Information Technology (IT) team as a Network Support Services Specialist. Saurav brings years of experience providing IT support at the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Help Desk and he has extensive knowledge and understanding of PCCD systems and procedures. As Network Support Services Specialist for CoA, Saurav will provide campus-wide technical support for users of all IT supported systems, applications, and services.

Starting Point Mentorship Program Features CoA Alumna and 2020 Valedictorian Pauline Anne Roxas

The University of California (UC), Berkeley, Starting Point Mentorship Program (SPMP) recently featured CoA alumna Pauline Anne Roxas in their social media campaign. Roxas is majoring in psychology and sociology at UC Berkeley, but she honed her interest in the subjects while enrolled in classes at CoA. Pauline shared her personal testimonial (below) about her CoA experience with her UC Berkeley classmates.

“I decided to enroll at College of Alameda in the second semester of my senior year in high school because I thought I’d do something interesting outside my high school. From there, I enjoyed my first-ever class at a community college—Intro to Psychology. After I graduated from high school, I stayed at my community college [CoA] and my sister helped me get a work-study job on campus. I became active on campus by being part of Student Council, different committees, and volunteering with different departments such as EOPS, Cougar Scholars, etc. I would say that my transfer journey was smooth because I had the right guidance...I was able to transfer in two years with two associate degrees and an award as the Class of 2020 Valedictorian.”

CoA Alumna and Transfer student

UC Berkeley Psychology/Sociology Major

–Pauline Anne Roxas

SPMP pairs eligible community college students with current UC Berkeley student mentors that offer guidance, motivation and access to admissions, campus, and community resources. The program is specifically designed to encourage California Community College students from all backgrounds to explore their academic potential and prepare for transfer to UC Berkeley and other four-year universities.

Students and Community Members Enjoy Special Thanksgiving Treats

Over 90 families stopped by CoA’s Free Produce Market and Chicken Dinner Giveaway on November 23, 2021. According to Director of Student Activities and Campus Life Natalie Rodriguez, it was a very busy day for volunteers. In addition to the regular bi-weekly offerings of fresh produce, the College teamed up with the Alameda County Community Food Bank to dish out 60 free delicious chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, and stuffing dinners in celebration of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Students and community members expressed how much they appreciated CoA’s efforts to make the holiday an especially happy and healthy one for their families. CoA offers its Free Produce Market monthly on the second and fourth Tuesday. Students and community members are invited to participate.

Students Participated in Virtual & In-Person Dia de los Muertos Events

Starting with a virtual “Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Workshop” on October 28, 2021, CoA students were invited to learn more and experience first-hand this important annual cultural event. The E14 Art Gallery in Old Oakland invited CoA students, faculty, and staff to attend the popular community ceremony on October 30, 2021. On November 2, 2021, the College hosted the “Día de los Muertos: Cafecito con la Facultad” event, featuring meaningful conversations with students, faculty, and staff members about the difficulty of losing loved ones and the relationship of such loss to the traditions of Dia de los Muertos. Cafecito presenters included: ACCESO/Puente Specialist Mayra Arevalo-Agyapong, Dean of Liberal Studies and Language Arts Lilia Celhay, Professor and Mathematics Department Co-Chair Dr. Khalilah Beal-Uribe, CoA Librarian Joshua Rose, Director of Hispanic Serving Institutions Horacio Corona Lira, Director of College Research and Planning Dominique Benavides, and Support Services Specialist Belinda Van Buhler.

Strategic Enrollment Management–Spring Ahead!

CoA’s Office of Instruction, under the leadership of Acting Vice President Dr. Diana Bajrami, as part of the College’s on-going strategic enrollment management efforts, is currently promoting its Online Winter Intersession, which offers an intensive selection of transferable three-unit courses that students can complete in just three weeks. All PCCD students are invited to enroll in Winter Intersession and expedite completion of their transfer requirements. These courses historically have also appealed to university students interested in completing their undergraduate requirements faster and/or more economically.

Looking ahead to the Spring 2022 Semester, Dr. Bajrami, instructional deans, and department chairs also have streamlined the College’s late starting classes, organizing them into discrete cohorts of 8-week, 10- week, and 14-week sessions. The creation of these cohorts will allow students to better plan their schedules and enable multiple entry points into the college. The College plans to create webpages for each cohort, similar to the Winter Intersession, with relevant class listings and enrollment information. Enrollment in these Spring 2022 late start Class Cohorts will be fostered by targeted advertisement via various communication and marketing channels.

This article is taken from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Nathaniel Jones III, College of Alameda President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. View the PDF here