ASTI Class of 2023 Celebrates Commencement at CoA

The Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) class of 2023 celebrated their commencement at the College of Alameda Gymnasium on Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students, family members, friends, and the entire AUSD Board of Trustees participated in the joyous occasion. Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell, PCCD Interim Chancellor Dr. Jannett Jackson, and PCCD Trustee Bill Withrow also attended the event. Trustee Withrow and Chancellor Jackson received special recognition for their unwavering support to ASTI since its initial creation in 2004.  

ASTI Principal Tracey Corbally and CoA Acting President Diana Bajrami provided encouraging comments for the graduates. Psychology Professor Elham Chishty was selected by ASTI students as the keynote speaker and gave a powerful speech about the importance of doing the right thing and advocating for ethical decisions. Several graduates had powerful words of encouragement for the peers and ASTI students. The uplifting ceremony included a number of ASTI students who had previously graduated from CoA before participating in their high school graduation. ASTI and CoA representatives are discussing the possibility of a joint graduation for 2024.

CoA Puente Scholar Receives Scholarship

Britney Bautista Pablo, one of CoA’s Puente scholars, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Puente State Office. Britney is one of fourteen community college students receiving this award, from a pool of over 150 applicants across the state. She is the only Peralta recipient and one of a handful of NorCal recipients.

Academic Excellence, Budget Competence, and Community Engagement at College of Alameda

College of Alameda has engaged in a series of ongoing training sessions to improve professional development activities, enrollment management, and budgetary competence. These sessions are designed to help classified professionals and the College’s management team with aligning College practices and procedures to Academic Excellence, Budget Competence, and Community Engagement as part of the Institutional Effectiveness and Partnership Initiative (IEPI) plan. During the month of June 2023, the entire college administration has undergone training on budgets, resource allocation, utilization reports, FTEF/FTES analysis, contracts, budget overview, and budget planning.

Four CoA Puentistas Accepted to Statewide Summer Academy

Four College of Alameda Puente students, including Mercedes Hernandez, Idalya Ayala, Britney Bautista, and Julio Felipe, have been accepted to the Second Annual Puente State Office Puente Math & Science Summer STEM Academy. The Academy will be hosted on July 11-14, 2023, at the University of California, Berkeley. A total of 56 students were selected for the residential summer program from a state-wide search. Students will participate at no cost and food, dorm lodging, and transportation also is provided.

The Puente STEM Summer Academy provides students with focused support in the areas of transfer, academics, counseling, and community building. Students experience university residency for the first time and learn about STEM related academic research through hands-on projects. They also meet with STEM career counselors, and expand their learning community to include Puente students from across the state.

College of Alameda Sponsors Chamber Business Excellence Awards

College of Alameda was a gold sponsor of the Alameda Chamber and Economic Alliance Business Excellence Awards & Silent Auction that took place on June 22, 2023, at Dashe Cellars.

The Business Excellence Awards recognizes and honors the outstanding achievements of the Alameda business community. This high-profile event brings together the area’s most successful and innovative business leaders in a night of celebration.

The College and the District were well-represented at the event by CoA faculty, classified professionals, managers, PCCD Trustee Bill Withrow, and Chancellor Jannett Jackson. Assemblymember Mia Bonta of the 18th Assembly District was also on-hand to welcome guests.

Among the recognized businesses and organizations were Alameda Post, Alameda Fire and Police Department, and several local and innovative businesses. The College of Alameda team enjoyed networking with representatives from a wide range of local businesses and nonprofit organizations at the event.

Two Newcomer Summer Bridge Cohorts Were Welcomed in June

College of Alameda welcomed two new Newcomer Summer Bridge cohorts on June 20, 2023. Newcomer Summer Bridge is a four-week course that supports the transition to community college for Newcomer students, by introducing students to campus resources, facilitating major and career exploration, and helping to build community through fun and engaging activities. Newcomer students were born outside of the United States (U.S.) and have been enrolled in U.S. education systems for less than three years. Newcomer Summer Bridge is free to students. Lunch is provided on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and students receive a free shirt, school supplies, and a Chromebook. Courses are taught by Professors Maria Montoya-Perez and Paula Gonzalez.

Acting President Diana Bajrami, Interim Vice President Maurice Jones, and Interim Vice President Mildred Lewis, visited the Newcomer Summer Bridge classes on Thursday, June 22, 2023, and provided a warm welcome to Newcomer students. President Bajrami shared with students her own immigrant story and encouraged students to reach high and remain focused. She reminded students that College of Alameda staff, faculty, and administrators are here to support and guide them along their educational journey. She also shared her admiration and appreciation for their participation in Newcomer Summer Bridge. These activities are led by the ACCESO Center and funded through College of Alameda's Title V DHSI Grant.

This article is an excerpt from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Diana Bajrami, College of Alameda Acting President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. To view it as a pdf, click here.