College of Alameda Officially Launches Its New and Improved Website

As part of the College’s Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) efforts, a new student-centered website has been developed and designed to provide easier access to important information for both new and continuing students. Following a soft launch in Fall 2021 to a limited group of students, faculty, and staff, the College of Alameda (CoA) announced its official launch to the general public on January 4, 2022.

 Along with the new website design, CoA changed its Uniform Resource Locator (URL) from http://alameda.peralta.edu to https://alameda.edu

Visitors using the old URL will be redirected to the new website for the next three months. It's recommended that students and community members update their bookmarks to the new website address.

Since November 2020, a CoA website task force diligently worked to develop the new website with streamlined information accessibility, improved navigation, and a refreshed “digital front door.” Taskforce members included: Vice President of Student Services (VPSS) Dr. Tina Vasconcellos, Academic Senate President Dr. Matthew Goldstein, Classified Senate President Kawanna Rollins, Web Content Developer Shane Williams, Dean of Counseling and Special Programs Dr. Shalamon Duke, Dean of Liberal Studies & Language Arts Lilia Celhay, and the Nash Group, LLC, a website design consulting firm.

New Website Highlights:

Homepage redesign: The updated homepage has been organized around CoA's five Guided Pathways fields of study, which include: 1) Art, Language, and Communication; 2) Business, Entrepreneurship, and Transportation; 3) Culture and Society; 4) Health, Science and Technology; and 5) General Education.

Truly mobile responsive: Check out the website on your mobile phone and tablets to experience its new mobile capabilities.

Updated navigation: Main menu and audience landing page architecture have been updated to help users find the information that they are looking for more intuitively and efficiently.

New ways to explore CoA programs: Students can now explore website content in a variety of ways, including Fields of Study, Program Type, Student Type, and the A-Z Site Map. The new and improved navigation system features special links so that future students, current students, and returning students may more easily find the information that they need to enroll in courses.

Full-Service Chat features: A 24/7 Artificial Intelligence (AI) chat link is on the Home page and both AI and live-chats are available on Student Services pages.

Feedback is welcome: Questions or comments regarding the content, navigation, or visual aspects on the site can be sent through an online feedback form at: https://alameda.edu/web-request/

Welcome New College Members!

Mr. Augustine Gill has been hired as CoA’s new Vice President of Administrative Services, effective January 3, 2022. Augustine is a seasoned professional with over twenty years of global operations and management experience. He grew up in Pakistan and came to the United States (U.S.) for graduate studies in International Development Administration. After completing his graduate studies, he worked with U.S.-based international humanitarian organizations at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., and was also based in the field in Africa, the Middle East, South and Central Asia, as well as Europe, including the former Soviet Union countries. Augustine has managed multi-million dollar global and U.S.-based programs in education, health, poverty alleviation, and disaster management for some of the most reputable organizations, including Save the Children, American Red Cross, International Rescue Committee, and Catholic Charities. For the past 10 years, Augustine has worked with non-profit boards and led local non-profits as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer in the San Francisco Bay Area providing leadership for diverse program portfolios. Augustine brings to this position significant experience in the areas of strategic planning, human resources management, business development and administration, grant administration, and facilities management, in diverse and complex cultural environments. He holds a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of the Punjab and a master’s degree in International Development Administration from the School for International Training, Brattleboro, Vermont. He speaks fluent Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and basic Russian.

Dr. Reza Majlesi started on January 3, 2022, as Interim Dean of CoA’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Division. He will provide much-needed leadership for the STEM Division until a permanent hire is made. Dr. Majlesi brings to this position significant experience because of his role as a tenured Biology faculty member at CoA for the last 19 years. In this role, he has planned and developed new and innovative courses and degrees/certificates. In addition, he has served on several standing committees at CoA, including the Budget Committee, Distance Education Committee, Curriculum Committee, and he also has served as an Academic Senator. His extensive academic and professional background in STEM and his focus on innovative practices will be a great asset for the STEM Division, the College, and the District.

Art Student Expresses Her Positivity and Enthusiasm

College of Alameda Painting Student April Davis explored her unique artistic point of view with great enthusiasm. She completed a watercolor course followed by acrylic painting in the Fall 2021 Semester. Art Professor Drew Burgess commended her creativity and exemplary class participation online. Burgess said that April rose to the challenge of online learning with grit, positivity, and focus; and inspired her classmates in the process.

Covid Testing Is Available at CoA

CoA is offering free rapid Covid-19 testing. Results can be shared in person within five minutes. Testing is available on campus Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to noon in the F building. Students may sign up for testing online at https://vbscovidsm.com/

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, January 25, 2022. To view as a pdf click here.