Merritt College Hosts First-Ever Sneaker Ball

Merritt College closed out April and capped off California Community Colleges Black Student Success Week (BSSW) with our first-ever Sneaker Ball! The purpose of BSSW is to emphasize how institutions are supporting underserved students (including but not limited to Black and African American students), to ensure their success in community colleges and beyond. Toward that end, faculty, staff, and administrators across the state (including here at Merritt) attended online panel discussions and webinars to deepen our collective understanding of student needs, challenges, and opportunities. And to cap off the week’s efforts, Merritt College was selected as a venue for one of several regional Sneaker Ball events taking place across the state. I am pleased to report that we had more attendees than of the other host sites (close to 100) and that students from across Peralta (and other Bay Area colleges as well) had an amazing time fellowshipping, affirming each other, and showing off their formal attire with sneakers! Moreover, the event heralded our forthcoming to gain formal recognition from the state as a Black Serving Institution, which is now possible as a result of the Senate Bill 1348. More on that to come!!!

Merritt College Alum Kate Berlin Leads Environmental Revival in Oakland

I am pleased to share with you all something cool that Professor Boegel recently shared with me! One of our former Natural History and Sustainability (NHS) students, Kate Berlin, was featured recently in Oaklandside, for her leadership of the organization called Friends of Sausal Creek. Ms. Berlin is now the Interim Executive Director of Friends (she is pictured left). She earned a Conservation and Resource Management certificate of achievement as part of her process to change careers from a 'fast-fashion' designer at Old Navy to something that aligned with her environmental values. And she has achieved that! We're so proud of her, and proud that our program helped her realize her career goals.

Here is a link to the article: ‘Walk Into Another World’: Joaquin Miller Park’s Iconic Redwood Forest is Being Revived

Merritt College Hosts Conference to Support Formerly Incarcerated and Advance Re-Entry Initiatives

This past Thursday, Merritt College hosted the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department's (ACBHD) Conference titled Breaking Barriers for a Smooth Re-Entry. This important event brought together key stakeholders focused on supporting the formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted in our community. The collaboration between Merritt College and ACBHD demonstrates our ongoing commitment to serving all populations within our community, particularly those facing significant barriers to education and employment. The conference highlighted innovative approaches to mental health support, educational pathways, and workforce development specifically designed for formerly incarcerated individuals. Our participation reinforces Merritt's inclusivity and social justice mission while strengthening our partnerships with county agencies. I believe these collaborative efforts will expand opportunities for the re-entry population and reduce recidivism rates in Alameda County.

Special thanks to Professor Biancca Parazo for her leadership and partnership in terms of supporting this important event.