Merritt Hosts Event for Post-Conviction Students

On Monday, February 26, Merritt College welcomed students to the Love-Moss Center for Re-Entry and Empowerment for the opportunity to receive free post-conviction legal services. Under the auspices of The Access Project (TAP), and the leadership of COSER Department Chair Biancca Parazo, students received assistance with everything from navigating the expungement/dismissal and felony reduction process to learning how to approach the final hearing of their case. The program provides these services for free, and the fees associated with record collection and court filings are covered as well. Providing these resources is critical to meeting their Mission to Put Students First. Justice- Impacted students have particular needs and challenges, but Merritt is committed to providing them the necessary support to pursue any and every educational avenue available.

Black History Month Highlights at Merritt College

Merritt College represented well at the 2024 Black College Expo held at the Oakland Convention Center on February 17. In an effort to play a critical role in student transfer to four-year institutions, It was essential for us to inform attendees that Merritt offers a pathway to their preferred HBCU, saving them and their families thousands of dollars along the way. Merritt is also working on establishing a formal agreement with Alabama A&M University, an HBCU located in Huntsville. In an effort to reach students who have already applied to Merritt College but did not enroll, as well as those who were once enrolled but “stopped out,” Merritt faculty, staff, and administrators are coming together to initiate a phone outreach campaign.

With a call sheet of more than 350 students, the goals are to get them registered for Summer/Fall courses, assist them with any issues pertaining to Financial Aid, A&R, Counseling, etc., make them aware of the resources available to them through college in general and our Sankofa Program in particular, and establish an ongoing connection that will support their retention.

Merritt Joins BCC and Laney College in AAPI Graduation

On May 3, 2024, Merritt College will host the inaugural Peralta Community College District Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Graduation! Last year, Laney and BCC collaborated to put on a joint celebration in recognition of their status as AANAPISI (Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution) Grantees. Merritt College is proud to join their sister colleges in attaining this status (the most recent data show that our percentage for this student demographic is approaching 18%--to be eligible for AANAPISI status, an institution's student enrollment must be at least 10%), and this event will both underscore and inspire our collective comment to support this student population. The event will be held in the Newton-Seale Room from 5 pm to 7 pm, and is expecting at least 200 attendees. Merritt looks forward to celebrating with you!