College of Alameda Named a 2022 Champion for Excelling in Equitable Course Placement in Black English Throughput

The Campaign for College of Opportunity President Michele Siqueiros publicly announced on April 22, 2022, that College of Alameda successfully supported at least 70% of Black students in completing a transfer-level English course within one year of their initial enrollment. In addition, the College supported Black students in succeeding at rates overall equivalent to or exceeding those of its student body as a whole.

"We applaud your dedication and commitment to California students," said Siqueiros in her April 14, 2022, letter to CoA President Nathaniel Jones III. “Congratulations again on being named a 2022 Champion for Excelling in Equitable Course Placement in Black English Throughput!”

Since the passage of AB 705 (Irwin) in 2017, the California Community Colleges has drastically increased access to credit-bearing courses across all racial and ethnic groups, doubling the number of students who complete transfer-level Math and English courses. This spring, the Campaign recognized over 40 Community Colleges for their work in eliminating remedial education courses at their institutions and ensuring students enroll and succeed in college-level courses.

College of Alameda will be recognized at the inaugural award installation ceremony, Excellence in Placement: Honoring Community Colleges Excelling in Equitable Course Placement for Students, on Thursday, May 12, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the RedBird in Downtown Los Angeles. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, and other California Community College honorees will be attending the invitation-only event.

Over 160 Students Attended CoA’s Financial Aid Spring Fair

CoA’s Financial Aid Spring Fair was held on April 13, 2022, outdoors in the College Quad area. The event featured a carnival theme with fun games and prizes, including a bean bag toss, Skee-ball, and a raffle. Four students won raffle prizes: two received $50 gift cards and two others won stuffed animals.

Participants took advantage of the opportunity to speak with staff members, check their financial aid status, complete their financial aid files, learn about federal and state financial aid, and schedule follow-up appointments to receive more detailed assistance with completing their FAFSA/Dream Act applications. Based on a student feedback survey, approximately 70 percent of the respondents reported they were very satisfied with the event. Students also expressed interest in attending the next financial aid-related event, which will be held sometime in June 2022.

Thirty-Seven New Students Sign Up for Fall Classes at the Afghan Refugee Resource Fair

On Sunday, March 27, 2022, CoA’s English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Department participated in the Afghan Refugee Resource Fair at the Alameda Point Waterfront Park. Attendees showed great interest in the College’s ESOL non-credit classes and 37 new students signed up to take English language classes in the Fall 2022 semester. Student Liaison Natalie Barraza, Counselor Fathia Mohamed, and ESOL Instructor Didem Ekici arranged for the booth and represented the College at the event.

Castlemont High School Visits College of Alameda

College of Alameda's ACCESO Program, in collaboration with CoA's Fab Lab, hosted a group of 29 high school seniors from Castlemont High School for a visit to College of Alameda in March. Students participated in a tour of College of Alameda, received an admissions presentation highlighting CoA's degrees, certificates, transfer opportunities, and special programs, as well as an overview of student support programs at the College. Students ended their visit with a fun hands-on workshop in the Fab Lab, learning about the FabLab’s high-tech tools, equipment, and opportunities. The high school students produced series of Castlemont High School themed stickers and prints to take home with them. Castlemont staff accompanying the students noted that they felt a strong sense of family and support at CoA, and were excited to promote the College’s exciting programs and services to their students.

Staff Spotlight

Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month CoA Custodian Ms. Wanda Lee volunteers to help give away food at the College’s Free Produce Market.

Lee provides an essential service translating for the many non-English speaking community members who are regular Free Produce Market customers. Her consistent dedication and selfless service are appreciated by the community at large and the College community.

“We would not be able to do the work that we do without her!” said Student Activities and Campus Life Director Natalie Rodriguez.

CoA Dance Students to Perform at Peace Plaza in San Francisco on May 14, 2022

CoA Dance Instructor Danny Nguyen and his dance students will perform in a showcase of Asian American choreographers celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islanders Month on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m., at Peace Plaza in San Francisco. Admission is open to the public and is free of charge.

College of Alameda Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with A Series of Artful Events

On April 26, 2022, the Office of Student Activities and Campus Life kicked off Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with free food and fun activities. Art Instructor Drew Burgess led a hands-on art workshop followed by a cooking class, where students learned how to make (and eat) delicious spring rolls.

More activities are scheduled through the month of May, including a virtual Crazy Funny Asians Comedy Show, featuring Performing Artist K on May 13, 2022.

The final event in the series will be held on May 16, 2022, and will feature a workshop focusing on Navigating Familial and Cultural Expectations for Academic and Career for AAPI Students.

CoA’s Commencement Will Be In Hybrid Format: Online and In-Person

CoA’s Virtual Commencement Ceremony will be available for online viewing Friday, May 27, 2022, starting at 10 a.m., at https://alameda.peralta.edu/commencement/  The virtual commencement ceremony will include pre-recorded speeches, acknowledgments of student awards, and a degree and certificate presentation for each participating graduate. The name, degree, and/or certificate for each graduate will be professionally announced and presented on an individual slide during the virtual online commencement. Participating graduates will have the opportunity to customize their individual degree/certificate slide by adding a photo and/or special message. Grads that choose not to create a custom slide, will have their degree and/or certificate information presented on a standard individual slide.

In addition to the virtual presentation, an on-campus, in-person celebration called CoA GradFest will take place at the CoA campus, on Friday, May 27, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The in-person celebration will feature fun photo opportunities, activities, and grab-and-go gifts for the graduates.

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, May 10, 2022. To view as a pdf, click here.