Merritt College:  Guided Pathways

Given its efficacy as a nationally recognized, evidence-based student success strategy, Merritt College adopted Guided Pathways as an integral component of attaining the college’s institutional mission. One of the signature goals of Guided Pathways is to provide students with clear guidelines and touch points for entering college, navigating program/degree requirements, and connecting majors with tangible career pathways. 

Over the last year, Merritt has taken important steps toward this goal by adopting eight Areas of Interest that organize programs into broad career-focused pathways and academic communities. The college has also developed pathway maps that show course-taking sequences for each degree. The Areas of Interest are as follows:

• Business Law
• Education and Learning Resources
• Environment and Sustainability
• Health Care
• Liberal Arts and Communication
• People, Culture, and Society
• Public Safety
• STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

These initiatives will be outlined in much greater detail on Merritt’s website to communicate the exciting and substantive programs that the college offers the students. In the meantime, Merritt thanks all of those who worked so diligently to bring Guide Pathways to fruition!

The Merritt College Barbara Lee Science and Allied Health Center

Merritt is pleased to share some exciting developments regarding space utilization planning in the Barbara Lee Science and Allied Health Center (S Building). The college’s preliminary discussions considered the relocation of the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences division office from the D Building to the first-floor S Building shell space. Merritt envisions the creation of a state-of-the-art Cybersecurity Lab along the first-floor corridor as well. Merritt College anticipates that the largest space in the building (the ground floor shell) will be the new home of the Microscopy, Histotechnology, and Biosciences programs. Finally, Merritt College plans to designate the third floor gallery as the Barbara Lee Center for Social Justice and Civic Engagement. This space will afford our students the academic setting to learn, study, and research the rich history of political participation and direct social action from a local, state, national, and global perspective. In the coming months we will continue to work with our faculty, classified professional staff members, administration, participatory governance groups, project managers, and community partners to bring these plans into sharper focus.

Merritt College on the 4^th of July

Merritt appreciates everyone who came together to secure the Merritt College campus over the Fourth of July weekend. As many can attest, the view from the college grounds is breathtaking, and this makes Merritt a popular gathering place to assemble and watch fireworks. Unfortunately, some of those who descend upon the campus every Fourth of July engage in behavior that is disruptive and even dangerous. The ever-present threat of fireworks igniting a blaze in the dry, wooded surrounding area is particularly unsettling. So, visitors to the campus on the evenings of July 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th, found it extremely reassuring to see officers from Marina Security and A-1 Security patrolling the campus and monitoring the entrances. Safety Officers from the Merritt College Administration of Justice Program provided support as well by scouting the campus grounds and reporting the issues they encountered. Merritt College thanks Vice Chancellor of General Services Atheria Smith, Vice President of Administrative Services Garth Kwiecien, Administration of Justice Department Chair Mildred Oliver, and her amazing predecessor Ms. Margaret Dixon.

This article is taken from the President’s Report, written by Dr. David M. Johnson, Merritt College President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.