We are excited to share that Merritt College’s Child Development Department is implementing the Child Development ECE Spanish Pilot Program to improve educational access, retention, and completion for Spanish-speaking and bilingual students. In partnership with The Unity Council and supported by the HSI Grant, students will be part of a structured cohort model and complete five Child Development courses delivered in Spanish during the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026 semesters. This will enable them to earn the Assistant Teacher and Associate Teacher Certificates while completing supervised internship placements at The Unity Council. The program integrates pediatric first aid/CPR training, wraparound academic and student support services, career counseling, and workforce preparation, reducing language barriers, strengthening community partnerships, and supporting the development of a diverse, highly qualified early childhood education workforce aligned with regional labor market needs. Program evaluation will include tracking student retention, certificate completion, and post-program employment or advancement, directly supporting Title V objectives related to equitable access, student success, and workforce alignment.
On February 3rd and 4th, Merritt College is hosting the Black Men’s Brain Health Conference (BMBHC), an event that brings attention to brain health disparities among Black men (focusing on cognitive aging, Alzheimer's disease, and sociocultural impacts). The 2026 Conference marks the fifth consecutive year that the event has been held during Super Bowl Week in the host city’s geographical area. Partners and sponsors include the NFL Alumni Association (NFLA), Pro Football Retired Players Association (PFRPA), Alzheimer’s Association, Boston University’s CTE Center, National Institute on Aging, Harmony Biosciences, Duke Sports Sciences Institute, and the Peralta Community College District. This is an incredible opportunity for Merritt College in terms of community engagement and advancing critical conversations around mental health.
In addition, our students will have the opportunity to attend (either virtually or in person) presentations and panels featuring physicians, clinical researchers, educators, political leaders (including the Honorable Barbara Lee), former NFL players, and community activists. The event will be held in the Newton/Seale Student Lounge, and we look forward to seeing you there!
In closing, I want to acknowledge the work of PCCD Director of Capital Projects, Ms. Amy Marshall. Near the end of the Fall 2025 semester, we initiated a major electrical construction project (Merritt Campus Substation C) that necessitated power shut-offs in certain buildings/areas, relocating employees, and the utilization of generators. Needless to say, the coordination of this was challenging. But Ms. Marshall supported the college immensely by accommodating requests, implementing contingency measures, and even working with the Office of the President to respond to queries from our neighbors. So thank you, Director Marshall, for your amazing partnership. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
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, January 13, 2026. To view it as a PDF, click here.