The Board of Directors of The Peralta Colleges Foundation (the Foundation) seeks a strategic, entrepreneurial, and highly organized leader, capable of working in collaboration with the Board of Directors to significantly increase the Foundation’s financial assets and charitable activities in support of the four (4) Peralta Community Colleges. The successful candidate will also lead and manage the Foundation while expanding its visibility and relationships throughout the District, corporate donors, and the greater community.

Lisa Cook Appointed Acting VP of Instruction at Merritt

Merritt College officially welcomes Lisa Cook as Acting Vice President of Instruction. Lisa comes to Merritt from Berkeley City College, where she has served as the Dean of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences since 2016. Her time in the Peralta District as an experienced leader and educator, however, spans more than 25 years.

Summer 2023 Enrollment

Summer 2023 is in full swing at Laney. The college is currently teaching 126 sections of classes, with a total of 3,041 students in them. This is an 8% growth over the number of students who took summer classes last year. Classes are being taught in all academic divisions, from African American Studies through Wood Tech. Particularly exciting are the career education courses that are being taught as part of the CE Summer Institute.

ASTI Class of 2023 Celebrates Commencement at CoA

The Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) class of 2023 celebrated their commencement at the College of Alameda Gymnasium on Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students, family members, friends, and the entire AUSD Board of Trustees participated in the joyous occasion. Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell, PCCD Interim Chancellor Dr. Jannett Jackson, and PCCD Trustee Bill Withrow also attended the event. Trustee Withrow and Chancellor Jackson received special recognition for their unwavering support to ASTI since its initial creation in 2004.

Berkeley City College Partners with PrepresentEd

This year Berkeley City College has been partnering with RepresentEd Leadership, a workforce development organization connecting underrepresented students and professionals with equity-minded companies. The Level UP Program is part of a dynamic set of career development offerings for BCC students.

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) has elected Dr. Nathaniel Jones III as Commissioner serving as a Higher Education Finance member with a term beginning on July 1, 2023. Dr. Jones is currently serving as the Interim Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration for the Peralta Community College District and has over 20 years of experience in higher education administration. He is a strong advocate for equity and access in education, and he is committed to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Acting on a petition from the renowned Lowell Observatory in Arizona, the International Astronomical Union officially named asteroid 1889TL34 as 28148 Fuentes, after Laney College Dean of Math and Sciences, Mr. Angel Fuentes Figueroa. “The totality of the body is in fact its own solar system orbiting the Sun forever named after me.” After capturing the body on his telescope, Fuentes notified his family in Puerto Rico immediately of the honor, mentioning that he was able to show his mother the asteroid immediately.

Berkeley City College is pleased to welcome Ernesto Nery as Financial Aid Director. As a multiracial, first-generation college student, Ernesto was once called El Desvalido (“The Underdog”) because he struggled with speaking. He had difficulty connecting the words in his head to have a conversation, reading, and writing. As a result, he had a fear of speaking. Ernesto used this as a tool of empowerment and an opportunity to learn. The challenges he faced early in life enabled him to set a high standard for himself, particularly when it came to career aspirations.

Good morning, Merritt Community.

I am pleased to welcome Lisa Cook to the Merritt College family, as she formally begins her tenure as our Acting Vice President of Instruction. This morning marks her first day in the role, and we are grateful to have her. Lisa comes to us from Berkeley City College, where she has served as the Dean of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences since 2016. Her time in the Peralta District as an experienced leader and educator, however, spans more than 25 years.

The temperature's rising as summer is in full effect, but you don't need to risk sunburn with Peralta TV as we bring a choice selection of programming featuring the great outdoors. Stay cool and entertained with our diverse range of shows that explore the wonders of nature and the adventure that awaits in the world outside your door.