COA Celebrates Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month with Flavorful Cultural Event

COA celebrated Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage (APIDA) Month with the “Oodles of Noodles” event on May 1, 2024. The APIDA Heritage Month Planning Committee was delighted with the fantastic turnout. It was especially heartwarming to learn that for some students, faculty, and staff, it was their first time experiencing a vermicelli bowl and boba drink. This was one of a series of three events held at the College in early May celebrating APIDA Heritage Month.

College of Alameda and Student Services Programs Join 6th Annual Arab American Student Honor Roll Ceremony

College of Alameda and its Student Services Programs—EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, Next UP, and SALAAM—participated in the 6th Annual Arab American Student Honor Roll Ceremony organized by the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Representatives from the OUSD Office of Equity joined College of Alameda’s Fathia Mohamed, EOPS/SALAAM and Next UP academic counselor; Jeremiah Poti, EOPS clerk; Brian Donato, EOPS staff assistant; and Louie Martirez, program manager for EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, Next UP, and SALAAM programs.

The event, held on International Boulevard, brought families together to celebrate their exceptional young people, share their rich cultural heritage, and honor historical figures of the Arab community. With over a thousand students and family members in attendance, the ceremony featured various guest speakers and dance troupes performing traditional Palestinian and Yemeni dances, making it a memorable celebration of achievement.

College of Alameda staff engaged with up-and-coming scholars and adult lifelong learners, informing them about the support programs and educational opportunities available at the college. Future students expressed enthusiasm for learning more about programs like dental assisting and psychology, which offer pathways to the medical and mental healthcare workforce. Attendees showed particular interest in the SALAAM program, which they recognized from ongoing OUSD partnerships, and looked forward to the support and continuity offered by this unique learning community.

SALAAM Learning Community Hosts Spring 2024 Meet-Up

College of Alameda hosted a meet-up event for the SALAAM learning community on May 3, 2024. The event was organized by the EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, Next UP, and SALAAM program team, including Louie Martirez, program manager; Jeremiah Poti, senior clerk; Brian Donato, staff assistant; and Fathia Mohamad, academic counselor.

Held shortly after Ramadan, the meet-up provided an opportunity for students to share a meal, reflect on the concluding semester, and discuss upcoming changes for the Summer and Fall semesters. Similar to the Next UP meet-up, this event fostered deeper connections between students, peers, and staff, facilitating discussions and feedback on the program’s effectiveness in supporting the learning community.

SALAAM students expressed significant appreciation for the program’s efforts in overcoming language barriers and are looking forward to having more Farsi and Arabic speakers to assist with complex administrative processes. Many students, who balance their educational pursuits with caregiving responsibilities at home, have found the availability of online courses particularly beneficial, enabling them to manage both their educational and family commitments effectively.

The intimate setting of the meet-up allowed program staff to engage more closely with students, enhancing the connection between staff and the SALAAM learning community. The team looks forward to continuing and improving support for their scholars in the future.

Special thanks to all the staff and student workers from the Welcome Center for making the event possible.

COA Hosts Next UP Students for Spring 2024 Event

College of Alameda’s Next UP program hosted an event for the foster youth community on campus on May 3, 2024. The meet-up was organized by the COA Next UP team, including Jeremiah Poti, EOPS clerical assistant; Brian Donato, EOPS staff assistant; Fathia Mohamad, EOPS/Next UP counselor; Marissa Nakano, EOPS/CalWORKs counselor; and Louie Martirez, EOPS/Next UP/CalWORKs/CARE/SALAAM program manager. The special event provided an affinity space for students with shared experiences to connect. Both students and staff engaged in effective communication, discussing upcoming opportunities and providing valuable feedback on the program’s impact on the learning community. Students expressed their appreciation for having a dedicated space to gather, share meals outside of the regular Tasty Tuesdays, and benefit from effective financial aid coordination, all of which have supported their educational journeys.