Merritt College Sees Increase in Enrollment

Enrollment at Merritt College is on the rise! Compared to this time last year, we have 239 more students taking our courses (our headcount has reached 7,317). Our resident FTES figures are also up by three percent from Spring 2025 to Spring 2026. And as I am sure many of you have noticed, the parking lots are full, and there is much more student activity and energy on campus! This is the direct result of us working collaboratively both in terms of scheduling classes appropriately and student services meeting the needs of our students. Our Express Enrollment event a few weeks ago is a prime example of what we can accomplishment together, with our Welcome Center and Student Success Navigators, HSI ASPIRA, Admissions & Records, Counseling, Financial Aid, CalWORKs, Next Up, Umoja/Sankofa, Student Activities, Inter Club Council (ICC)/Clubs all moving in partnership to ensure a smooth and student-centered experience!

Judge Thelton E. Henderson Headlines Record Barbara Lee & Elihu Harris Lecture at Merritt College

On January 30th, Merritt College and the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center (housed on our campus) hosted the largest gathering of the Barbara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture series. The featured guest was the Honorable Thelton E. Henderson, a courageous jurist who began his career as the first African American attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (hired by Robert F. Kennedy), and spent his career dismantling segregation in public education, as well as advocating for reform within California’s prison system.

One powerful moment from the evening: Judge Henderson sharing that he lost his position in the Justice Department as a result of his allowing the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to borrow his car overnight (the Alabama press fabricated a story that Mr. Henderson had personally chauffeured Dr. King to a civil-rights event, and, therefore, should be terminated). Fortunately, he moved forward in his career undaunted, with his most impactful decision coming in the Oakland Police Department Corruption Case (better known as the OPD Riders Scandal). Attorney John Burris argued the case before Judge Henderson, and in a full-circle moment, led the sit-down conversation with him that evening at the Freedom Center/Merritt College event.

2026 Black Men’s Brain Health Conference Draws Record Crowd

After months of planning and anticipation, the 2026 Black Men’s Brain Health Conference wrapped up last week, and to say that Merritt-hosted event was a success is an understatement! This year marked the fifth consecutive year that the event has been held during Super Bowl Week in the host city’s geographical area, and the organizers shared that with over 1700 registrants (more than 400 of whom signed up for on-site sessions), the participation was up over 80% from last year’s conference in New Orleans!

I want to thank Board of Trustees President Louis Quindlen for his constant presence and support. I am also grateful for our Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson, who gave a rousing address that brought the house down! Mark Johnson, our Executive Director of Marketing, Communication, and Public Relations, along with his amazing media team, provided critical assistance throughout the conference, so we appreciate them as well. But this event would not have happened without the efforts of Ms. Tara Marrero and her coordination of our facilities, our custodial staff, and the overall logistics. It was a collective effort by all, and I am so pleased and proud of how Merritt College and the Peralta District showed up and showed out!

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, February 10, 2026. To view it as a PDF, click here.