CoA prepares to gather as faculty, classified professionals, and administrators to engage in meaningful professional development on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Building H.
FLEX is a cornerstone of our institutional commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, and excellence. Professional development is essential for all employees - not only to strengthen individual practice, but to ensure we are collectively responsive to the evolving needs of our students, our workforce, and our community. When professional learning is designed through a cross-constituency lens, as it is at College of Alameda, the likelihood of meeting the diverse development needs of employees across roles and divisions increases significantly.
This semester’s theme, “Weaving Together Teaching, Support, and Community,” reflects our shared responsibility to align instruction, student services, and institutional systems in service of student success. Throughout the day, college constituency groups will have opportunities to:
In addition to structured sessions, FLEX will offer opportunities for connection and care, including breakfast and lunch, one-on-one support, and wellness services to reinforce our commitment to the whole employee.
I would like to extend sincere gratitude to the Professional Development Committee for their thoughtful planning and dedication to creating an engaging and inclusive FLEX experience: Leslie Reiman, Malik Shabazz, Cynthia Horn, Glen Pearson, Kawanna Rollins, Juliana Garcia Uribe, Ann Gonzalez, Anne Gormley, Dr. Nicole Porter, and Dr. Lewis. A special thank you to Marivic Lizardo for her outstanding support with logistical planning and coordination.
We are excited to welcome our newest Cougars to Spring 2026 New Student Orientation, taking place January 13th and 14th from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. This important experience is designed to set the foundation for success academically, socially, and personally.
Orientation is more than an introduction to the college; it is a critical first step in helping students develop a sense of belonging, confidence, and clarity as they begin their journey at College of Alameda. During orientation, new students will connect with peers, learn how to navigate their student portal, participate in a campus tour, and be introduced to the various resources and support services available to help them thrive.
Experiences like orientation matter. Students who are engaged early, understand how to access support, and feel welcomed into the community are more likely to persist, succeed, and see themselves as valued members of our college.
Thank you to the Student Services team for your care, coordination, and commitment to creating a warm, informative, and student-centered orientation experience. Your work continues to make access visible and belonging real for our students.
College of Alameda will host our Spring 2026 Enrollment Festival on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 11 AM -3 PM. This vibrant, student-centered engagement event is designed to actively support students through every step of the matriculation process. The event brings together key enrollment services in one welcoming space to make it easier for students to enroll in classes, obtain student ID cards, complete education plans, access financial aid support, and connect with Guided Pathways and distinguished academic programs.
Events like the Enrollment Management Festival underscore the importance of meeting students where they are and intentionally removing barriers to access. By providing hands-on assistance and real-time support, we reinforce our commitment to helping students move confidently from interest to enrollment and onward toward academic excellence.
A heartfelt thank you to the Student Services Division for serving as a powerful visual and operational example of our institutional commitment to access, equity, and student success. Special appreciation is extended to Vice President Lewis and Dean Nguyen for their leadership, as well as to the dedicated teams in Admissions & Records, Financial Aid, Counseling, Outreach, Support Programs, and our Learning Community Leads. Your collaboration, care, and student-first approach will ease the transition for our incoming scholars.
This article is an excerpt from the President’s Report, written by Melanie Dixon, College of Alameda President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. To view it as a PDF, click here.