CoA Hosts Annual High School Partners Breakfast
In early March 2023, College of Alameda Student Services hosted its Annual High School Partners Breakfast. Over 60 participants representing 29 high schools and pre-college programs across five school districts attended the event. CoA’s Annual High School Partners Breakfast brings together school counselors, advisors, and other education professionals who provide direct services to high school students.
Dr. Amy Lee, Dean of Enrollment Services kicked off the event, and Dr. Diana Bajrami, Acting president, and Dr. Mildred Lewis, Interim Vice President of Student Services welcomed the partners and emphasized the importance of collaboration. Morning presentations focused on introducing new partners to the College’s various programs and services, including the expansion of CoA’s upcoming Summer Bridge program and the introduction of CoA’s new SALAAM Learning Community. Partners also met with representatives from the College’s various support services, including Equal Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS), Student Accessibility Services (SAS), Puente, Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA), and Financial Aid among others.
Later in the morning, participants heard first-hand testimonials from CoA students. The morning concluded with a campus tour organized by Hispanic Serving Institution Grant Director Horacio Corona-Lira. Thanks to all of the students, faculty, and staff who participated in and helped organize the event, and to Director of Student Life and Activities Natalie Rodriquez for coordinating the student panel.
The Annual Partner Breakfast kicks off CoA’s signature outreach Mobile CoA program. Mobile CoA helps remove enrollment barriers by bringing application, academic counseling, and registration services to local high schools.
Financial Aid Application Event Provides First-hand Support
In anticipation of the March 2, 2023, financial aid priority application deadline for students, the College of Alameda financial aid team hosted a “Financial Aid Application Rush” event on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. During the event, the team helped answer student financial aid questions as well as provided one-on-one support and assistance to students in completing the FAFSA or Dream Act application. Students also enjoyed free food, music, games, giveaway prizes, and a gift card raffle at the event.
High Tea Celebrates Alameda Island Women Leaders
PCCD Chancellor Jannett Jackson, CoA Acting President Diana Bajrami, and Director of Workforce Systems Stephanie Bradshaw were invited to a High Tea celebrating Alameda Island Women Leaders organized by the Alameda Chamber and Economic Alliance. The event kicked off the Women Her Story Month and was held on March 1, 2023. Women leaders discussed collaboration and partnerships on several important community issues, including sustainability, internships, talent search and development, and entrepreneurship. This event kicked off Women Her Story Month.
College of Alameda Hosts District-wide Finance Training Workshops
The Peralta Community College District Finance and Administration Department is holding a series of five Districtwide Finance HyFlex Trainings in February, March, and April 2023. These in-person and virtual training sessions are being held in person at the College of Alameda campus in Room H108, with remote access also available by Zoom. The first training session, held on Friday, February 24, 2023, focused on budget, purchasing, and payments. Additional trainings held in March 2023 included an overview of fiscal management, and internal controls, and reporting. The workshops have been created by Acting Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Dr. Nathaniel Jones III and Associate Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Adil Ahmed. CoA Vice President, Business and Administrative Services Augustine Gill has helped plan and coordinate the campus trainings, which were designed to ensure that districtwide faculty, staff, and administrators at all PCCD colleges understand how to use financial planning tools.
Puente Team Attends 40th Anniversary Statewide Conference
College of Alameda's Puente team attended Puente’s 40th Anniversary Statewide Conference: Healing & Justice in Education from March 1, 2023, to March 3, 2023, at the Riverside Convention Center, in Riverside Ca. This conference brings together Puente college and secondary practitioners from California, Texas, and Washington States. Puente practitioners had the opportunity to network, hear from leaders in educational equity and justice, deepen their instructional and advising equity practices, and engage with Puente’s new Equity Framework and Anthology. The CoA Puente team includes Puente Counselor Danna Chavez Baquero, Student Services Specialist Alejandro Gonzalez, English Professor Sandra Vaughn, and Director Horacio Corona Lira. A special shout out to Puente counselor Baquero, who was recognized during the conference for having completed the 2022 Puente Summer Institute training. This professional development opportunity was sponsored by the Puente State Office.
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, March 28, 2023. To view it as a pdf, click here.
