College of Alameda to Host CATESOL Conference and You’re Invited!
College of Alameda has been selected as the host institution for the upcoming California Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (CATESOL) State Conference 2023, themed “Breaking New Ground.” The conference is scheduled to be held from October 26 to 28, 2023, at the College's Liberal Arts Center. This marks a significant milestone as CoA becomes the first academic institution to host the CATESOL Conference.
The CATESOL Conference is a highly anticipated event that attracts educators and professionals who are dedicated to the instruction of English to Speakers of Other Languages. The conference features workshops led by experts and professionals in their respective fields, providing participants with practical and innovative ideas for enhancing student support. The event promises to offer a valuable and enriching experience, facilitating meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and the exploration of cutting-edge teaching methods among peers from various regions of California. The decision to host this conference reaffirms College of Alameda's commitment to promoting excellence in English language education and fostering professional development within the ESOL community.
31st Annual Citywide College Night Held at College of Alameda
The 31st Annual Citywide College Night, a collaborative effort between the Alameda Unified School District, St. Joseph Notre Dame High School, and College of Alameda, was successfully held on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 6 PM to 8 PM. This event brought together over 50 colleges and institutions, including prestigious institutions such as the US Coast Guard Academy and the Marines, creating a valuable opportunity for hundreds of local students.
More than 350 students from both Alameda and Oakland actively participated in this informative evening. It served as a platform for students to explore various higher education options and gain insights into their future academic journeys.
Representatives from various College of Alameda academic programs and services played an essential role in this event, including College's Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) Program, MESA, Diesel Mechanics (DMECH), College to Career, Veterans Resource Center (VRC), EOPS/NextUp, and SALAAM Learning Community. Their presence enriched the event, providing valuable outreach information to potential students, and helping them make informed decisions about their educational pathways.
Notably, Berkeley City College also had a table at the event and actively engaged with prospective students, further expanding the reach of educational opportunities available to local youth at PCCD colleges.
The collaborative efforts of the participating educational institutions demonstrate a commitment to empowering students while providing them with the tools they need to succeed in their academic and career pursuits. The 31st Annual Citywide College Night at CoA was a resounding success, fostering a sense of excitement and possibility for the future among the participating students and their families.
CoA Receives $1.56 Million Grant to Launch Project HOPE
College of Alameda has received a transformative five-year grant totaling $1.56 million, with approximately $312,500 allocated annually. This grant, awarded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, will enable the College to launch Rising Scholars Project HOPE (Helping Our People Excel) beginning in January.
Project HOPE is a groundbreaking initiative aiming to address the needs of Juvenile Justice Transitional Age Youth within Alameda County. These young individuals face significant challenges, as highlighted by an October 2022 report from the Alameda County Probation Department. According to the report, of the 1,134 older youth within juvenile hall, 89% are males, with 55% identifying as Black and 39% as Latino. Furthermore, 94% of all youth in juvenile hall are facing felony charges.
Project HOPE is designed to mitigate toxic stress and amplify opportunities for success for these young individuals. It focuses on six key pillars to provide a holistic and streamlined approach to service delivery:
- Building Trust
- Empowerment
- Counseling
- Education
- Basic Needs / Community Partnerships
- Workforce Development
One of the unique aspects of Project HOPE is its commitment to providing services both pre- and post-release. To this end, College of Alameda has established a partnership with the Alameda County Probation and Juvenile Hall to ensure the successful implementation of Project HOPE within the juvenile hall facility.
This collaborative effort involves close coordination with key stakeholders to identify the most effective strategies for delivering Project HOPE services.
The overarching goal of Project HOPE is to build a supportive community, reduce recidivism rates, increase access to education and employment opportunities, and enhance the overall life expectancy and quality of life for Juvenile Justice Transitional Age Youth in Alameda County. Participating schools and institutions include Island High School, Bunche Continuation School, Dewey Academy, Rudsdale Continuation, Oakland International, Sojourner Truth Independent Study, Street Academy, Camp Wilmont Sweeney, and Alameda County Juvenile Hall.
College of Alameda will offer the following wraparound services to participating students: A2MEND, Basic Needs, Career Center, CoA Produce Market, Learning Resource Center, Mental Health Services, UMOJA, EOPS/CARE, Next Up, SAS, College Promise, and Financial Aid Counseling. In addition, the College will work with community partners to offer additional wraparound services, including UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Alameda County Workforce Development Board (ACWDB), Alameda County Probation Department, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), Alameda County Public Defenders, and the City of Alameda Community Development Department.
The College plans to register 440 students over the next five years in the Project HOPE program, in a minimum of nine units per student.
CoA Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) Places Its First Student Intern
College of Alameda proudly inaugurated its LAEP internship pilot program on October 3, 2023. We are delighted to announce the successful placement of our very first student intern Rana Wair, who has embarked on a rewarding 10-week, paid off-campus internship with the Alameda Chamber of Commerce. The Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP), established in collaboration with the Foundation for California Community Colleges, marks a significant milestone for the College. This pioneering internship initiative enables us to connect our students with paid off-campus internships within our local community. It is worth noting that the College of Alameda is one of only two community colleges in the state chosen to participate in this groundbreaking pilot program. Stefanie Bradshaw, Director of Workforce Systems at the College of Alameda Career and Employment Center, is coordinating the internship placements and implementation of the pilot program.
CoA C2C Hosts National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Event
The College of Alameda College to Career (C2C) program recently hosted a series of workshops to commemorate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This event, conducted in partnership with the Center for Independent Living, Inc. (CIL), showcased the program’s commitment to promoting inclusivity, awareness, and empowerment. Observed federally each October, NDEAM is designed to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. In recognition of this month, C2C provided students and Alameda County community members with a platform for meaningful discussions and learning. The event featured two prominent items: (1) Equity & Access: Employment Panel and (2) Disability Justice Panel. These events brought together experts, advocates, and individuals with disabilities to share their insights, experiences, and solutions.
Students Meet New Staff at Wellness Open House
With over 120 faculty, staff, and students attending the event, the College of Alameda's Health and Wellness Center Open House on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, was a great success. Participants had a chance to meet new staff, as well as learn about the wellness services available for students. For more information and upcoming events, please click here for the College of Alameda Wellness Center website.
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, October 24, 2023. To view it as a PDF, click here.
