The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) and the entire East Bay community are mourning the loss of a true civic giant, the Honorable William “Bill” Patterson, who passed away following a remarkable career spanning more than seven decades. A close friend and mentor to many, Bill’s life was a testament to public service and an unwavering fight for equity and opportunity.
Laney College and Merritt College campuses were both filled with smiles, laughter, andharmless Halloween mischiefas children from the Childcare Centers participated in Halloween festivities. Dressed in adorable costumes - from superheroes and princesses to tiny pumpkins and firefighters - the children brightened everyone’s day as they made their rounds collecting candy and snacks.
Editor's Update: The article below was originally emailed to students and posted here on October 31st. As of November 7th, GOOD NEWS! CalFresh / SNAP / EBT benefits are becoming fully reinstated in California. You can read more about it from the California Governor's site here.
“Kudos to Ahyan Malik and Léo Migliaccio, who demonstrated their leadership by organizing a mixer for Associated Student Government leaders,” said Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District, during her Report to the Board on October 14th. The mixer took place at Merritt College on Monday, October 6th, and included nearly 30 student participants from Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College.
The CIS/Cybersecurity Department brought the best of the industry to campus with a powerhouse Employers Day on Friday, October 3, 2025!
Merritt College is embarking on a new digital chapter. The college has launched a completely redesigned website that sticks to its core mission: put students first. Making it easier than ever to access resources and support, the new website offers more accessibility than its predecessor.
College of Alameda (CoA) celebrated a major milestone on September 30, 2025, with the ribbon cutting of its new Transportation Technology Center (TTC), a $36 million state-of-the-art facility built to serve the next generation of skilled transportation technicians. The project, made possible through Bond Measure G, reflects the Peralta Community College District’s commitment to career education and community advancement.
The Peralta Community College District's (PCCD) Parcel Tax Oversight Committee (PTOC) convened at PCCD headquarters on October 8, 2025, to review expenditures and receive in-depth presentations from the four College Presidents and the Finance team on how Measure E parcel tax funds are directly supporting core academic programs and student services.
Jasmine Bledsoe from Merritt College's Student Services Department shares her inspiring experiences at Merritt College. She emphasizes that it is an incredible opportunity for her to serve the community she grew up in and attended before transferring.
September District Service Center Roadshows
On September 10th and 11th, the District Service Center leadership joined me in visiting each of the colleges. It was a great experience engaging with colleagues about our strategic vision to create a unified, equity-centered district, streamlining programs, aligning resources, and forging clear, student-first pathways that remove barriers, accelerate success, and set a new standard for community college excellence.
