Celebrating Tenure and Instructional Excellence

One of the most significant milestones in an academic career is the awarding of tenure, a recognition of sustained excellence in teaching, service, and commitment to students. Tenure represents the pinnacle of faculty achievement and reflects the trust institutions place in educators to steward academic integrity, intellectual inquiry, and student learning for years to come.

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 PM at the Atrium of the District Service Center, the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees will host a reception honoring newly tenured faculty from across the district.

The College of Alameda proudly celebrates the following faculty members who have earned tenure:

• Dr. Edwin Ochong – Biology
• George Cruz – Aviation Maintenance Technology
• KL Nadeesha Dias – SAS Counselor

These faculty members exemplify the heart of our mission, which is supporting students through exceptional teaching, mentorship, and academic leadership. Their work strengthens the educational pathways that allow our students to Believe. Achieve. Succeed.

Instructional Progress and Collaborative Planning

Instructional leadership, faculty, and staff have worked collaboratively to strengthen our academic offerings and better align course scheduling with student needs and state funding frameworks. Highlights of this collective effort include:

• Development of a comprehensive 2025–2026 schedule spanning Summer, Fall, and Spring terms to support pathway efforts, educational planning, and completion.
• Expansion of in-person courses to increase access and student success outcomes while building a sense of belonging to support student persistence through completion.
• Reduction of course cancellations (near elimination) to create greater predictability for students and faculty.
• Increase of discipline planning time to strengthen program coordination through interdisciplinary and cross-constituency collaboration.
• Utilization of institutional data to deepen shared understanding of the Student-Centered Funding Formula (SCFF) and implications on scheduling and enrollment strategies.

These efforts reflect the deep collaboration across instruction and student services and the continued commitment of our faculty to adapting in an evolving higher education environment.

Faculty Leadership and Program Coordination

Faculty leadership remains central to institutional progress. We are pleased to announce the faculty coordinators who will support key institutional initiatives:

• MESA Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Edwin Ochong
• CTE Faculty Coordinator: Carla Pegues
• Guided Pathways and Program Mappers: Dr. Didem Ekici, Cynthia Haro
• Tenure Review Committee (TRC) Facilitators: Rick Greenspan – Spring 2026, Carla Pegues – Fall 2026 through Spring 2027
• OER / Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC): Cady Bow Carmichael

These faculty leaders play an essential role in strengthening instructional coordination, supporting faculty development, and ensuring students experience clear, coherent academic pathways.

Preparing STEM Students for Transfer and Career

The Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program continues to provide transformative opportunities for students pursuing careers in STEM fields. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and industry exposure, MESA prepares students for transfer and high-impact careers.

Recent highlights include:

• Thirty MESA students attended the Stanford University Minority Medical Alliance (SUMMA) Conference, the largest pre-medical and pre-health conference on the West Coast, where they engaged with medical students, physicians, and university representatives exploring pathways into healthcare careers.
• Students toured Emery Pharma, gaining insight into the world of bioanalytical research and the business of scientific discovery.
• Upcoming industry visits include Science Corp and Pyka, an Alameda-based autonomous aircraft and robotics company, highlighting the college’s growing collaboration with island-based technology partners.
• MESA launched a Lunch and Learn workshop series at the Science Annex, including professional development sessions led by faculty and program leadership.

These experiences give students meaningful exposure to STEM careers while strengthening the pipeline from community college to university transfer and industry.

A Model of Innovation and Industry Engagement

The Apparel Design and Merchandising (ADAM) program continues to demonstrate the power of industry partnership, innovative curriculum, and student creativity.

Beginning Spring 2026, every ADAM course is CSU-transfer level, enabling students to complete bachelor’s degrees more quickly while reducing cost.

Additional points of note:

• New faculty leadership: 2022 ADAM graduate Dennis Tuazon joins as part-time faculty after earning his BA in Industrial Design at California College of the Arts and serving as Color & Materials Librarian at Google.
• Dual enrollment partnerships: ADAM continues its collaboration with Oakland School for the Arts, offering workshops, tours, and college-level learning opportunities for high school fashion students.
• Student success in media: 2025 graduate Jhonatan Salic presented his final collection on Vision Latina’s Mañana Latina, proudly recognizing the College of Alameda and the ADAM program during the interview. Video available upon request.
• Innovation through the FabLab: 2025 graduate Hannah Gilson launched her clothing line Pinkie’s World using skills and technology from the CoA FabLab.
• Entrepreneurial success: ADAM alumni Meaza Haile and Agustin Nogueda recently opened a retail store in Oakland, 8am Fashion, named after the start time of ADAM classes.
• Industry engagement: Students will tour Levi Strauss & Co. headquarters and Alameda-based knitwear company Micaela Greg, strengthening connections between education and industry.

The ADAM program remains a powerful example of how career education, industry advisory boards, and hands-on learning environments like the CoA FabLab create meaningful pathways for student success.

Renewal, Courage, and Transformation

On Friday, March 6, 2026, the Peralta Community College District community gathered at the District Service Center to celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Fire Horse - a tradition that honors renewal, courage, and forward momentum.

In the Lunar zodiac, the Fire Horse symbolizes energy, transformation, bold leadership, and the willingness to move forward with confidence during times of change.

These themes resonate deeply with the work underway across the Peralta Community College District as we collectively advance the Transformation Plan. Just as the Fire Horse represents progress fueled by determination and vision, our colleges are embracing a period of renewal - reimagining systems, strengthening programs, and aligning our institutions to better serve the students and communities who depend on us.

At the College of Alameda, the accomplishments highlighted in this report, from faculty earning tenure to innovative academic programs and industry partnerships, demonstrate the strength of our faculty leadership and the resilience of our campus community.

Together, we continue to move forward with purpose, courage, and collaboration as we shape the future of education for our students.