Alameda State of the City Event Attracts Over 200 Attendees

CoA and PCCD representatives attended the Alameda State of the City event on April 7, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by the Alameda Chamber of Commerce aboard the USS Hornet, a museum ship, located on the southernmost pier of the former Naval Air Station in Alameda.

Over 200 peopled attended the two-hour event, where Chamber President/CEO Madlen Saddik and Board Chair Kelly Lux welcomed guests. Adam Elsesser, founder of the Alameda-based medical technology firm Penumbra, introduced the City of Alameda’s Mayor the Honorable Marilynn Ezzy Ashcraft.

The Mayor’s speech covered a number of important issues, including housing, crime, and the environment. Ashcraft touted the City’s new Housing Element draft and introduced a recently awarded grant to develop Dignity Village on Fifth Street, indicating that the County will be providing an additional $2,300,000 in funding for the program’s operating costs. She also discussed City’s targeted investments aimed at helping residents and businesses grow while strengthening the local economy in equitable, sustainable, and innovative ways. A panel discussion followed the Mayor’s presentation, including City of Alameda's Community Development Department Director Lisa Maxwell, Director of Housing and Transportation Andrew Thomas, Police Chief Nishant Joshi, and Fire Chief Nicholas Luby. Topics ranged from development, infrastructure, and public safety to economic growth and the CARE team. Each City leader provided an overview of their department’s responses to challenges, followed by a preview of future goals and plans. PCCD attendees included: PCCD Trustee Bill Withrow and Interim PCCD Chancellor Dr. Jannett N. Jackson. CoA participants included: Academic Senate Vice President Jennifer Fowler, Classified Senate President Ms. Kawanna Rollins, Acting Vice President of Instruction Dr. Diana Bajrami, Executive Assistant/President’s Office Ms. Teddy Washington, and President Dr. Nathaniel Jones III.

CoA Mobile Is on the Road Again!

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, College of Alameda student services staff members are delighted to once again host events, provide on-site services at local high schools, and participate in community activities.

CoA’s Annual Partner Breakfast

The Annual Partner Breakfast on March 25, 2022, kicked off an exciting recruitment season with over 50 representatives from local high schools and educational programs attending the event. Student Liaison Ms. Natalie Barraza hosted the breakfast and shared important information with participants about degree and certificate programs, financial aid, the CoA Promise Program, cross-enrollment opportunities, and transfer guarantees. CoA’s Undocumented Student Support Consultant Mx. Juan Lopez also spoke about important resources and funding opportunities that are available for undocumented students. The breakfast also featured a question-and-answer session as well as breakout sessions, where participants learned more about specific CoA programs such as: Student and Accessibility Services (SAS); Equal Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS), NextUp, CalWorks; Umoja; Puente, Adelante con Comunidad, Excelencia, Sabiduría y Oportunidad (ACCESO), Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA), the Veterans Resource Center; and Career Technical Education programs.

The Partner Breakfast concluded with a synopsis of the robust roster of Spring 2022 Mobile CoA events at area high schools, featuring hands-on assistance with college applications, counseling, and registration support. College of Alameda student services staff members are eager to re-engage with local high school students in Mobile CoA activities.

The following CoA faculty and staff participated in the question-and-answer portion of the breakfast program: Director, Hispanic Serving Institution Grant and ACCESO/Puente Programs Mr. Horacio Corona- Lira, Student Services Specialist Ms. Mayra Arévalo-Agyapong, and PUENTE/ACCESO Counselor Ms. Danna Chavez, Outreach Team Member Ms. Natalie Barraza, Umoja Coordinator/Counselor Mr. Jerel McGiffert, Undocumented Student Success Consultant Mx. Juan Lopez; Financial Aid Interim Financial Aid Director Mr. Dave Nguyen, Geography Department Co-Chair Cady Carmichael, MESA/General Counselor/Professor Nila Adina, Counselors Ms. Julie Saechao and Ms. Cynthia Haro, Career and Technical Education Coordinator Ms. Donna Jones, Career and Technical Education Dean Ms. Eva Jennings, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Coordinator Ms. Rachel Goodwin, Staff Assistant to the Dean of Enrollment Services Ms. Nickey Heredia, Veteran’s Center Coordinator Ms. La Shawn Brumfield, EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs/NextUp Project Manager Mr. Louie Martirez y McFarland, Dean of Counseling and Special Programs Dr. Shalamon Duke, EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs/NextUp Staff Assistant Ms. Nesi More, and Associate Dean of Educational Success Ms. Paula Armstead.

Upcoming Outreach and Mobile CoA Events:

Past Outreach and Mobile CoA Events:

CoA Student Elected as Statewide President of SSCCC

CoA student Mr. Clemaus Tervalon was elected President of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) at the annual SSCCC General Assembly meeting held in early April at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Sacramento. Associated Students of College of Alameda (ASCoA) Senator Ms. Macarena Valenzuela and Director of Student Activities and Campus Life Ms. Natalie Rodriguez also attended the SSCCC General Assembly at which Senator Valenzuela ran for the position of SSCCC Vice President.

Senator Valenzuela says that she was impressed by the many opportunities that she had to confer with representatives from other California community colleges, including other PCCD colleges. “As a first-time attendee and delegate representing the College of Alameda I was so amazed by the great presenters, the various themes that were discussed with student leaders, and the overall welcoming feel of the three-day educational and informative conference,” said Valenzuela. “Each day of the conference I was able to meet students from northern and southern California that each had a vast knowledge about how to improve their own student government. In the future, I will be implementing the shared knowledge and suggestions from this conference with the Associated Students of College of Alameda.”

Office of Student Activities and Campus Life Provides Food and Emergency Grants for Hundreds of Students this Spring

Emergency Food Grants:

A total of $15,900 in Emergency Food Grants were distributed to 53 students from January 2022 to March 2022. In April, an additional 98 applications were being processed.

Food Pantry:

In March, the Office of Student Activities and Campus Life Food Pantry served 798 people, of which 237 were children, 461 were adults, and 100 were seniors. Also, notably, in March, there was no leftover produce.

ECMC Pantry Assistance Funds:

To date, 44 CoA students applied for assistance with personal care and baby items. Applicants must be enrolled in at least one College of Alameda course. Eligible students will receive various items including personal hygiene items, diapers, and baby formula. The first distribution date took place on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, during the Free Produce Market.

Spring 2022 Student Engagement Sponsored Events

Upcoming Events:

Past Events:

This article is an excerpt 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, April 26, 2022. To view as a pdf, click here.