OAKLAND, Calif., October 11, 2022 – Merritt College is pleased to announce a new partnership to advance our renowned cannabis education programming. Ms. Tanya Scott will take on an advisory role with the College, working closely with the faculty to expand the cannabis program’s curriculum in three distinct areas. The overarching goal is to support students in their preparation for high-demandcareers in this rapidly expanding industry.
Specifically, Ms. Scott will support faculty efforts to bolster Merritt’s cannabis cultivation curriculum, as well as advise the College as it explores the development of additional pathways in Hospitality / Entrepreneurship and Healthcare. There is also an opportunity to leverage her association with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Alcorn State University and Jackson State University to create a transfer pathway in the field of medical marijuana cultivation.
Ms. Scott is a registered nurse with 30 years of experience. She is the Clinical Services Director at Kaiser Permanente and is an expert in cannabis education. She also serves on the board of the American Cannabis Nurses Association. “Tanya Scott is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about this work,” noted Dr. David M. Johnson, President of Merritt College. “As an African American professional, she is also deeply committed to promoting social justice and creating opportunities for disproportionately impacted students at the community college level.” Merritt College is very excited about the prospect of this new partnership and looks forward to providing students with the rare opportunity to become trained in this field at one of the few community colleges in the country offering such progressive programs in cannabis education.
Merritt College, located in the Oakland Hills, is renowned both for its horticultural programs – including cannabis education – and its leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Birthplace of the Black Panther Party, Merritt College puts students first. In 2020, the Campaign for College Opportunity recognized Merritt College as an Equity Champion of Higher Education for exemplary work in awarding transfer degrees to Black and Latinx students. In 2021, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors bestowed upon Merritt College the John D. Rice Award in recognition of our work to increase the academic success of Black and Brown students. In 2022, the Peralta Community College District – including Merritt College, Laney College, Berkeley City College, and College of Alameda – received the Black EdCellence Award for community colleges from the California Association of Black School Educators (CABSE). To learn more, visit www.merritt.edu.
