Laney College President’s Report – February 15, 2023

Laney College: Reaching Out Across the Bay

In 2023, Laney continues to act on the realization that it needs to go out into the community so that the community will attend Laney. Over the past few months, Dr. Lawrence Vanhook has taken on a community outreach role that has had the College present in various parts of Oakland, while the efforts of countless others have Laney telling its story and promoting opportunities that come with a college education in new places.

• The Laney College Outreach Team led by Dr. Lawrence Van Hook was present to reach out to our LatinX Community at Fruitvale Station for community pop-ups on December 13th and 14th. These individuals- Alma Gomez, Adam Kadourhe, Laura Gomez-Contreras, and Vice President Marlon Hall joined Dr. Van Hook in distributing Laney College outreach materials, collecting potential student information, and making the community aware of Laney’s free college initiatives. The Fruitvale community expressed interest in Laney programs such as: Cosmetology, ESOL, LCI, and Computer Technology. Potential students left their information at the Laney table and the Office of Student Services has communicated with all about their interests. The Outreach team continues to plan more community pop-ups in our local community to showcase the Laney College Experience.
• Laney College also continues to promote educational opportunity within the African American Community. As January 22 guests on hand to recognize Dr. Joseph Simmons 29-year anniversary with the Greater St. Paul Church, Dr. Vanhook, President Besikof, and Vice President Hall shared Laney’s many opportunities for students and the community with all who were in attendance. In addition to appreciating this unique opportunity, Laney also thanks Dr. Simmons (pictured below left) for his service as the Peralta Colleges Foundation Board President.
• Laney was also one of the few nationwide community colleges to have a booth at the February 4 Black Colleges Expo, held at the Oakland Convention Center. Along with several four-year HBCU’s, UC’s, and CSU’S, Laney shared information with prospective students, many of whom took home Laney bags, pens, and other “swag.” Dr. Lawrence Vanhook spent the entire 6 hours working with students along with student Brian Compton. President Besikof also spent 2 hours answering questions and even told all within microphone earshot about Spring is Free. Even Peralta Colleges Foundation Board member Seth Steward (pictured with Dr. Vanhook and Dr. Besikof) joined in spreading “Laney Love.”

• Laney’s team continues to strengthen its incredible bond with the AAPI community across the Bay Area.
• On January 21, 2023, President Besikof, Vice President Dettie Del Rosario, Vice President Marlon Hall, Dr. Lawrence Vanhook, Arlene Lontoc, Dean Mildred Lewis and APASS Director David Lee participated in the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce Lunar New Year Street Fair and stage presentation. Over 100,000 attended the event and many stopped by the Laney APASS booth for information about classes, enrolling and supportresources. Inaddition,Laney’sExecutiveTeamwereinvitedtotheeventasVIPguests,withDr. Besikof joining a host of elected officials and other dignitaries to offer remarks. Among those also speaking on stage were Senator Nancy Skinner, Assemblymember Barbara Lee, Alameda County Supervisors Lena Tam and David Haubert, Oakland Councilmembers Treva Reid and Janani Ramachandran, and Oakland Chamber President Carl Chan.

• On February 4, 2023, President Besikof, Dean Mildred Lewis and APASS Director Dr. David Lee joined honored guests such as Mayor London Breed, Assemblyman Phil Ting and Senator Scott Weiner at the Chinese New Year Parade Grandstand in San Francisco. The parade was televised and attended by over a million people with many floats from the East Bay schools. A contingent of BCC participants including Dr.Phoumy Sayavong also attended the event. Laney staff were busy telling the College’s story at the parade, where they met a number of civic and business leaders. Pictured below are photos with Mayor London Breed as well as distinguished former Mayor Willie Brown. Through its communications with local AAPI media outlets such as KTSF, the College is emphasizing messages of friendship and educational opportunity through a host of avenues that include area leaders.

It is not enough for students to come to Laney, which is why Laney is going out to its many communities and meeting not only prospective students but also those in leadership. Thanks to the many Laney colleagues driving this effort!

Laney Events Drive Focus on Black History Month

Laney College has been hosting several events for Black History Month, thanks in great part to Shanice Millican, Kimberly King, Janelle Tillotson, and all those who make UMOJA/Ubaka a great program and community for African Students. The February 15 Open Mic Event and February 22 HUD Housing and National Financial Literacy Workshop and Lunch are upcoming, but students, employees and the community have already enjoyed a February 1 film event in the Student Center, along with the February 8 African American History and Liberation Presentation and Dinner that was held in Eagle Village and attended by President Besikof and a host of colleagues and students attending in a packed room. At the conclusion of a stirring lecture and discussion, President Besikof remarked that all in attendance, given that he had seen most of them at a host of on-campus events, were true leaders.

Laney College continues to embrace our communities thanks all colleagues whose hard work and dedication make events like those taking place during February happen.

Laney College Comes Together for Lunar New Year Celebration on Campus

On January 26, 2023, at the Laney College Lunar New Year Celebration President Besikof led a moment of silence in honor of the Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay mass shooting victims. Joining the APASS/SALC/undocumented students sponsored celebration which featured a Lion Dance, Asian food, decorations, and costumed performers, President Besikof welcomed the year of the Water Rabbit with over a hundred participants including leaders from the BCC AANAPISI program Susan Truong and Dr. Phoumy Sayavong.

Gateway To College Student Earns Unique Learning Opportunity

Laney College congratulates Gateway to College student Zachary Arreola, who has earned the opportunity to attend the National Achieving the Dream Conference in Chicago, which will be from February 14-17. Gateway Director, Dr. William Ochoa, describes the upcoming conference for Mr. Arreola as “a competitive experiential learning opportunity” since it will bring several thousand community college professionals together, as it does each year.

The competitive DREAM Scholars program is an experiential learning opportunity for community college students to develop leadership and critical thinking skills, network with other student scholars, and gain a broad understanding of alternative and higher education. Each year one Gateway to College student is selected to participate alongside seven other community college students. DREAM Scholars receive monetary awards for their continued postsecondary education. Gateway students from Holyoke Community College, Laney College, and Front Range Community College have been selected in the past and have had tremendously positive experiences. Laney College congratulates Zachary and commends all of Laney’s Gateway to College colleagues, who make so many opportunities happen!

Laney College Faculty Member Selected to U.C. Advisory Board

Laney College extends its warmest congratulations to Journalism Professor and Journalism Department Chair Eleni Economides Gastis for her appointment to Berkeley Journalism's new Advisory Board for California Local News Fellowship Program! Professor Gastis was the only California Community College faculty member selected, which is truly an honor.

Student Accessibility Services Sees Increase in Student Numbers

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) -formerly known as DSPS – provides accommodations to students with verifiable disabilities that affect their learning. This service helps the student gain access to academic curriculum, assistive technology, alternate media, and test proctoring. Students go through an intake process, where the SAS counselor works with the student to figure out the best accommodations to support the student's academic needs. As we have come out of the pandemic, we have seen an increasing number of students in need of academic accommodation. We have worked closely with faculty and staff to find those in need and support them as soon as possible.

As we come further out of the global pandemic, Laney is noting its need to serve an increasing number of students with verifiable disabilities through the accommodations, needed support, and outstanding service provided from Laney College’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS) team. The number of students served by SAS has grown from 788 in 2019-20 to 1028 served in 2022-23.

Formerly known as DSPS, this office provides accommodations to students with verifiable disabilities that affect their learning. Through these critical accommodations, students gain access to academic curriculum, assistive technology, alternate media, and test proctoring. Also, after the initial intake process, they work with a SAS counseling specialist to figure out the best accommodations. SAS works closely with faculty and staff to find those in need and support them as soon as possible, and Laney College thanks the wonderful SAS team: Dean Diane Chang, SAS Coordinator Dr. Nate Failing, Irina Rivkin, Jack Smith, Jessica Owyoung, Sidney Wong, Jim Gioia, Alex Cervantes, Alexandra Cipher, Kim Cael, and Chelsey Young.

This article is taken from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Rudy Besikof, Laney College President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. To view it as a pdf, click here.