Graduation Celebration of Summer Bridge 2024 with Instructor Collette Ibeh
Responding to the needs of the rising number of young, Central American students, Laney’s ESOL department, in coordinated partnership with OUSD, continued its yearlong Newcomer Learning Community this past summer. Now well into its 2nd year, the program is seeing success in helping this particular population get acclimated to campus life, understand the expectations of college, and begin to envision futures for themselves that begin with robust engagement at Laney College. As many of these students first came to the Bay Area as unaccompanied minors, the support has proven to be effective.
Laney Faculty Colleague Featured in Library of America Anthology of Latino Poetry
Maya Chinchilla, author of The Cha Cha Files: A Chapina Poética and an Instructor/Lecturer in Laney College’s English Department, has been honored with the inclusion of one of her poems in the prestigious Library of America Anthology of Latino Poetry, edited by Rigoberto González.
This anthology is part of a distinguished series celebrating America’s literary canon and features renowned poets like William Carlos Williams, José Martí, Julia de Burgos, and Gloria Anzaldúa. Maya’s inclusion in this esteemed collection highlights her growing influence in the literary world.
She will be participating in an event in Los Angeles this November to celebrate the anthology. Laney congratulates this distinguished colleague for her work and recognition.
Laney Opens New Queer Community Center
On September 11, 2024, Laney College’s Queer Community Center officially opened its doors by hosting a successful Open House from 2-4 PM in Student Center 300. The event brought together queer staff, faculty, and student leaders, offering a welcoming space for the community to connect. Trustees, College leadership, as well as other College and District allies stopped by throughout the event to celebrate.
The opening of the center, as well as the establishing of resources, comes thanks in great part to the work of ESOL Faculty Member Yih Ren, supported by Director of Campus Activities and Student Life Atiya Rashada. This event was an important step in fostering inclusivity and visibility on campus, and all students and colleagues across Peralta are welcome.
Block By Block Film & Discussion
On October 8th Laney College hosted a successful screening and discussion of the documentary Block by Block, which chronicles the efforts to establish a community college in San Francisco's Chinatown.
The event, held from 1:30 to 3:00 PM in the Forum Building, was co-hosted by APASS and the Laney College Ethnic Studies Department.
Attendees were provided with food and drinks as they engaged in an inspiring conversation with panelists directly involved in the movement, including Jennie Lew, Joanne Low, Henry Der, and Abhijeet Paul. The discussion highlighted how a determined, low-income ethnic minority community challenged corporate interests and political power brokers to ensure education accessibility.
This event was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the power of community activism and its impact on higher education.
Clean Slate Clinic
On September 25, 2024, Laney College hosted a successful Clean Slate Clinic from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at the ROC Center (Building E, Room 203). This free clinic provided essential services to current and former Peralta students, including felony reduction to misdemeanors, early termination of probation, dismissal of convictions, and certificates of rehabilitation. The event helped many individuals explore options for clearing their records and accessing vital legal support. The clinic received a strong response from the community, with many participants taking advantage of this valuable opportunity to improve their futures.
U.S. State Department Visits Laney College
On September 26th, Laney College had the honor of hosting members of the U.S. State Department at the BEST Center. The event, which began at 10:30 a.m., provided students and faculty with a valuable opportunity to learn about career pathways within the U.S. Department of State. Approximately 80 students and colleagues attended.
Attendees engaged in a Q&A session with Zakiya Carr Johnson, the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, who shared insights about her role and the department's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
This event was well-received, offering a unique chance for the Laney community to connect directly with representatives from the U.S. State Department. Later in the day, the group visited Merritt College to continue their outreach efforts.
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, October 8, 2024. To view it as a PDF, click here.