Celebrating the Heart of Laney – Employee Appreciation Day 2025

Laney College held its annual Employee Appreciation Day on Friday, April 18, bringing together faculty, student workers, administrators, and classified professionals for an afternoon of recognition and celebration at the Laney Fieldhouse.

A central feature of the event was the presentation of the 2025 “We Rise” Awards, which honor individuals who exemplify dedication, excellence, and service to the Laney community.

This year’s awardees represent a cross-section of roles across campus and reflect the college’s commitment to student success and institutional integrity.

2025 We Rise Awardees:

• Alma Gomez, Classified Professional
• CK Chan, Student Employee
• Narmandakh Suurinburneebaatar, Student Employee
• Yih Ren, Part-Time Faculty
• Beth Wadell, Full-Time Faculty
• Gary Albury,  Administrator

Additional highlights of the day included recognition of retirees, years of service honorees, a spirited academic rap performance, and a festive “Day of Fun” with food, games, and community camaraderie.

Special thanks are extended to Hope Lane and Judy Mei for their leadership in coordinating a successful and meaningful event.

Laney College Showcases Career & Technical Education Opportunities at Annual Open House

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, Laney College hosted its Annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Open House, welcoming over 500 prospective students, parents, and community members. The event highlighted Laney’s diverse and robust CTE programs, offering a hands-on experience of career pathways.

Guests had the opportunity to engage with faculty, current students, and industry partners through live demonstrations, workshops, and campus tours. The event featured informational tables from local labor unions and businesses, emphasizing how Laney’s programs provide direct pathways to successful careers.

The immediate impact of the event was significant: over the weekend, Laney College enrolled 154 new students who registered for 232 courses, reflecting the event's success and the increasing demand for career-focused education.

The success of the CTE Open House was made possible through the hard work and collaboration of many individuals on campus:

• The CTE Dream Team: Fang Huang, Raya Zion, Kim Gonzalez, and Bolortuya Baasanjav, who meticulously planned every detail of the event.
• CTE Faculty: From across departments, showcasing their programs with enthusiasm and expertise.
• Facilities and Custodial Teams: For ensuring a welcoming and polished campus environment.
• Student Support Services: Including Admissions & Records, Welcome Center, Financial Aid, Counseling, UMOJA, Latinx, APASS, UCRC, ROC, and the Peralta Foundation, who provided vital resources and support to prospective students.
• Classified Professionals and Student Assistants: For their assistance with logistics, registration, signage, and campus tours.
• College Leadership: For their continued support and presence at the event.

Laney College remains committed to fostering educational access, career readiness, and lifelong learning. Events like the CTE Open House exemplify the college’s role as a gateway to opportunity for the East Bay community.

Laney College Hosts Peralta Colleges Student Art Exhibition

Laney College is honored to host the 2025 Peralta Colleges Student Art Exhibition at the June Steingart Gallery, on view from April 16 through May 21.

The juried show features original work from 60 student artists representing Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College.

The exhibition includes a dynamic range of media—ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, and printmaking—highlighting the creative talent across the Peralta Colleges.

Over 150 people attended the public reception on April 30, where three students were recognized for outstanding artwork:

• Erica Morris - Best Painting
• Emmet Bush - Best Other Medium (Drawing)
• Donald Diggs – Best Ceramics

Awards were supported by the Norma Hongisto Scholarship Fund through the Peralta Colleges Foundation. Laney College is proud to provide a space where student artists can be celebrated and their work shared with the broader community.

Laney College Recognized at CCPRO 2025

Laney College was honored with a 1st Place Award at the 2025 Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO) conference in San Diego for its Laney Eagle Student Newsletter. This recognition highlights the exceptional work of Chanda Brewer, who led the newsletter’s development in collaboration with Laney’s onboarding team, SOAR.

The award reflects Laney’s commitment to effective student engagement and innovative communication, and marks a proud achievement within the Peralta Community College District’s strong showing at the event.

Laney Student & Faculty Member Represent ROC Program at State Board Meeting

Laney College was proudly represented at the California Community Colleges Board of Governors meeting on March 25, where student Judah Garrison and faculty member Roger Chung, co-coordinator of the Restoring Our Communities (ROC) program, presented on the impact of ROC’s work with system-impacted students.

Judah shared a deeply personal testimony about his journey back to education and the role ROC has played in his success. Roger Chung followed by emphasizing the importance of programs like ROC in creating pathways to healing, academic achievement, and personal growth.

This opportunity highlighted both the strength of our students and Laney’s leadership in reentry support. We’re proud to see ROC's mission and outcomes recognized at the state level and look forward to continuing this important work districtwide.

Laney College Queer Community Center – Year One Progress & Vision

Since its launch in April 2024 and the opening of its physical space in September 2024, Laney College’s Queer Community Center (QCC) has quickly become a vital hub for student engagement, empowerment, and belonging.

Highlights of Progress:

• Student Engagement: Over 3,400 social media views and 200+ newsletter subscribers reflect strong interest and connection with queer and allied students.
• Programming & Events: More than 20 events and field trips have been held, including creative workshops, wellness sessions, and special events like drag performances and museum tours.
• Support Services: The QCC has expanded its Mental Health Mondays with art therapy, yoga, and journaling, while also offering self-care resources like free haircuts, snacks, and wellness supplies.
• Academic & Career Empowerment: The center is working to develop queer-centered coursework and has hosted professional panels and career workshops to connect students with LGBTQ+ mentors and job pathways.

Looking Ahead:

• The QCC seeks to formally integrate into Laney’s student success infrastructure to ensure long-term support and stability.
• Additional support is needed to meet growing student demand for mentorship, leadership development, and wellness resources.

The QCC is a reflection of Laney’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion. It not only provides a safe and affirming space for queer students, but also fosters community leadership and academic empowerment.

Architecture Students Achieve 100% UC Berkeley Transfer Rate

Laney College is proud to share that in Spring 2025, 100% of the students from the Architecture Department who applied to transfer to UC Berkeley were accepted into the university’s architecture program. This remarkable outcome underscores the department’s academic excellence and strong student preparation.

This achievement was reported by Barry Yu, Chairman of the Architecture Department, based on data collected through a survey conducted by the Laney Architecture Student Club. It reflects the department’s continued commitment to supporting student success and transfer readiness at the highest level.

Associated Students of Laney College (ASLC) Hosted the First Basketball Tournament

On April 25, ASLC, in collaboration with the Associated Student Governments of Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, and Merritt College, proudly hosted its first-ever basketball tournament, bringing together faculty, staff, and students from across the District for a day of spirited competition and community bonding.

The event featured a series of thrilling matchups that not only showcased athletic skill but also the enthusiasm and school pride that unite the district. With friendly competition and unforgettable moments throughout the day, participants embraced a shared commitment to teamwork, creating lasting memories in a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.

CK Chan Elected Treasurer for SSCCC Region III

We are proud to announce that CK Chan, a student representative on the Associated Students of Laney College (ASLC), was elected as the Treasurer for Region III of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) at the SSCCC General Assembly on April 15, 2025. This significant achievement highlights CK’s dedication to student leadership and advocacy at the state level.

As Treasurer, CK will be responsible for managing the region’s budget, leading fundraising efforts, contributing to policy development, and ensuring financial transparency across multiple community colleges. CK’s election underscores Laney College’s commitment to cultivating student leaders who can impact state-level decisions.

This accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of Atiya Rashada, Director of Student Activities & Campus Life, whose guidance and mentorship continue to empower students to pursue leadership roles and advocate for their peers.

We look forward to CK’s contributions to the SSCCC and the positive impact they will have on Laney College and the broader student community.

Laney College Participates in Little Saigon Vietnam War Commemoration

On April 27, President Becky Opsata and Director David Lee proudly represented Laney College at a community commemoration in Oakland’s Little Saigon, marking 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. The event honored the resilience of Vietnamese, Southeast Asian, and displaced communities around the world.

Organized by the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce, the ceremony brought together civic leaders, community members, and local businesses in a meaningful tribute. Laney College was honored to stand in solidarity with these communities and reaffirm its commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural understanding.

This article is taken from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Becky Opsata, Laney College Acting President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. To view it as a PDF, click here.