Laney Shares Free College Success Stories with Partners at Oakland Rotary
One of the chief collaborative partners of Laney College have been members of Oakland Rotary #3, who come to campus and support students in a number of ways, especially with members giving their time to help with food distribution efforts. Additionally, at events such as One Stop Saturday and last Spring’s Employee Appreciation event, Rotarian John Claussen and others have brought a corn dog machine to campus to serve students, showing a true connection between the campus and those in the community who are working to address food and other insecurities among students.
At the regular meeting of the Rotary on September 14th, Laney College – an institutional member – sent a team to share details about Free College efforts dating back to Fall 2022, sharing the focus on increasing awareness of Financial Aid as well as this year’s attention on student success. The meeting included a brief presentation from President Besikof, and colleagues Dettie Del Rosario, Marlon Hall, Katrina Santos, and Arlene Lontoc met with members of the Rotary after the meeting to answer a host of questions.
Laney appreciates this great partnership and thanks President Tom Limon for making our team feel welcome.
Laney Pride Event Energizes Campus Quad
Fall 2023 has shown a great return of students and community to the Laney campus, and the September 13th Laney Pride Event on the Quad was no exception thanks to the leadership and planning of the Lavender Project, Student Government (ASLC), and the Office of Campus Activities and Student Life, and a number of other service areas on campus. Activities for the day included community-building activities, festivities, food, and a sharing of resources available both at Laney and with external partners.
Thanks to the many students and colleagues for their participation in this event!
Coffee on the Quad brings Students, Staff, and Caffeine Together with Large Turnout
On September 11th, the Laney College President’s Office held its first Coffee on the Quad Event for Fall 2023. President Besikof and the entire President’s Office team welcomed the campus community, and the well-attended event even resulted in several T-shirt purchases, with proceeds going to the Laney President’s Emergency Scholarship fund.
Once a month on Mondays, this caffeine-related gathering will take place, and future gatherings will feature entertainment that includes music and other Fine Arts contributions from our students and staff. The entire Peralta and Oakland community is welcome to come, caffeinate, and meet with President Besikof as well as all at Laney!
Oakland Museum of California: Another Great Laney Partner
As the College continues its connections with the community, it embraces the relationship and welcome that students and staff have received from the Oakland Museum of California, under the leadership of Director Lori Fogarty.
Since the beginning of the semester, Laney’s leadership team has visited and learned about the many academic and career opportunities that OMCA can offer students through this budding partnership. Also, Laney College has continued through its partnership to secure free admission for all current students.
This is very much a collaboration that is in its initial stages, and future reports to the Board will show how the Museum will actually be a career resource that extends beyond curation and management. More to come!
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, September 26, 2023. To view it as a PDF, click here.
