As Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson pointed out at the March 8th Board of Trustees meeting, the Peralta Colleges have recently garnered significant media attention across various platforms. From local news to national outlets, our students, faculty, and programs were celebrated, reaching millions of viewers and readers.
On February 24, 2025, Merritt College President Dr. David M. Johnson demonstrated more Peralta thought leadership by joining host Dave Clark and fellow guest leadership consultant Tracey Webb on KTVU’s Talk of the Town program. President Johnson and Ms. Webb were asked to discuss the new United States presidential administration and, in particular, efforts to do away with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and programs referencing a memo from the US Department of Education. President Johnson was his usual eloquent self as he explained the cultural, social, and personal importance, and indeed the humanity, of those programs. I encourage you to watch when you have a chance. He was an excellent representative of Merritt College and the district as a whole.
Laney College's impact was felt in multiple arenas. First, the college was highlighted in a Yahoo Sports article discussing the Oakland Roots Soccer Club, reaching a staggering 23 million readers. Furthermore, Laney's innovative Tiny Home construction program captured the attention of the US Sun newspaper, reaching an audience of 16.5 million readers.
College of Alameda's Grammy-award winning faculty member, Glen Pearson, was featured in "Jazz, Music and Technology: a Black Historical Perspective" on Player FM, reaching a potential audience of 624,000 listeners. This recognition underscores the exceptional talent and expertise within our faculty.
Berkeley City College's multimedia program received a well-deserved spotlight in The Oaklandside, reaching nearly 250,000 readers. Additionally, a BCC student's story resonated with a massive audience on MSN.com, with an estimated reach of 123 million.
Merritt College made headlines with the inspiring story of alumnus Percy Miller, better known as Master P. His appointment as President of Basketball Operations at the University of New Orleans was covered by multiple outlets, including ESPN.com and MSN.com. Congratulations, Percy, and best wishes in your new role!
District Academic Senate President Dr. Matthew Goldstein also contributed to our media success with his insightful interview on KALW, reaching an estimated audience of 32,000 "NPR types." We hope his compelling pitch will translate into increased enrollment.
Adding to our list of achievements, we're thrilled to share that Zhiqiao Huang, a former Berkeley City College international student, was featured in "Bing-U-News," the newspaper for Binghamton University in New York. Zhiqiao is majoring in African Studies and plans to pursue a doctorate in global health after graduating this spring.
This impressive media coverage reflects the dedication, innovation, and excellence that define the Peralta Colleges. We are proud of our students, faculty, and staff for their contributions and achievements, and we look forward to continuing to shine in the months to come.
