Peralta Gems

College of Alameda President's Report – April 23, 2024

Written by Pamela Luster | Apr 24, 2024 10:15:19 PM

College of Alameda Students Explore Historic HBCUs and Landmarks

During the week of March 24, 2024, members of the College of Alameda community, including faculty, classified professionals, and administrators, embarked on a transformative journey accompanying students on a tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The tour took students to iconic institutions such as Howard University in Washington DC, Hampton University in Virginia, Bowie State University and Morgan State University in Maryland, and Delaware State University in Delaware. Beyond the academic exploration, students also had the pleasure of visiting significant landmarks, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the White House, the African American Civil War Memorial Museum, and Arlington National Cemetery.

College members participating in the tour included Dean of Counseling & Special Programs Dr. Shalamon Duke, Admissions and Records Technician Chevonn Herbert, Counselor Jamar Mears, Dental Assisting Program Chair Carla Pegues, and Senior Clerk to EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, Next UP, and SALAAM Programs Jeremiah Poti.

 

 

COA Engages Future Students at 8th Annual Youth Career & Job Fair

At the 8th Annual Youth Career & Job Fair held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Encinal Junior & Senior High School, located at 210 Central Avenue, Alameda, College of Alameda representatives met with a new generation of prospective students. Over 40 community organizations, including local employers, the City of Alameda, other university institutions, military, and trade groups, were among the participating organizations at the event. The College of Alameda Outreach Team, consisting of Louie Martirez y McFarland, EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, Next UP, and SALAAM Programs Project Manager, and Donna A. Jones, Career and Workforce Education Division Career Education (CE) Coordinator from the Career, staff the College’s information table.

During the fair, College of Alameda team members collaborated with the Alameda Unified School District to jointly present the Peralta Summer Institute Programs. They provided information to students and their families on enrolling as high school students through dual and concurrent enrollment and how to enroll at the College of Alameda in Fall 2024 as first-year community college students. Middle school students from Encinal Junior Jets, Alameda High School, Encinal High School, ASTI, and Island High School attended the event in the afternoon.

 

ASCOA Hosts Women’s History Month Kahoot Game

During Tasty Tuesday on March 19, 2024, from 12 PM to 1 PM, the Associated Students of College of Alameda (ASCOA) organized an engaging trivia event focused on Women's History using the platform Kahoot. Students participated in answering questions covering a range of topics and learned about significant figures who have influenced Women's History. The top three scorers were rewarded with school swag and other exciting prizes. The event was a success, with enthusiastic student participation showcasing their interest in the subject matter.

Kahoot is a game-based learning platform used as educational technology in schools and other educational institutions. It allows users, typically teachers or instructors, to create and host quizzes, discussions, and surveys that participants, usually students, can join using their smartphones, tablets, or computers. Kahoot offers an interactive and engaging way for educators to assess student understanding, reinforce learning, and facilitate group discussions.

 

 

Mobile COA Introduces Area High School Students to Opportunities

Mobile CoA services commenced on March 18, 2024, coinciding with College of Alameda's participation in East Bay Higher Education Week. Enrollment Services Coordinator Nickey Heredia and a team of staff and student workers initiated the week by offering application support to graduating seniors at Oakland High School. Students seamlessly submitted their applications while also gaining insights into College of Alameda's programs and resources.

Throughout the week, Nickey and Staff Assistant Juliana Garcia Uribe represented College of Alameda at various school sites for Higher Education Week, including Castlemont High School, Leadership Public Schools, Skyline High School, Lighthouse Community Charter School, Oakland High School, and San Lorenzo High School. Over 500 high school students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, have interacted with the team so far this year, seeking information about financial aid, academic programs, admissions, and more.

Recent Mobile COA Tabling and Outreach Events:

  • March 25: San Leandro High School College Fair
  • March 26: Skyline High School Summer Opportunities Fair
  • April 2: Mobile CoA at Alameda Community Learning Center
  • April 2: Mobile CoA at Alameda High School

 

 

College of Alameda Gathers Student Feedback in Second Guided Pathways Brown Bag Meeting

The College of Alameda hosted its second Guided Pathways (GP) Brown Bag Meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 12:30 PM.

During this session, a panel of four current College of Alameda students shared their experiences. The meeting was held in a Hyflex format, allowing participants to attend either in person in Room H-153 or online.

Students discussed their personal and career goals and provided feedback on various aspects of the college. They praised the counseling services, convenient location, friendly staff, commitment to diversity, Tasty Tuesday free lunches, and the campus's ease of navigation. However, they also highlighted areas for enhancement, including the cafeteria, promotion of campus resources, nighttime security, availability of interpreters for language support, and support for workforce transition.

The Guided Pathways team will use this valuable student input to inform future strategies for enhancing students’ experiences at the college.

 

This article is an excerpt from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Pamela Luster, College of Alameda Acting President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. To view it as a PDF, click here.