On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Peralta Board of Trustees approved Dr. Reza Majlesi as the dean of the STEM Division at College of Alameda. Dr. Reza Majlesi has served COA/PCCD in different roles over the last 15 years. In addition to being a part-time and tenured biology faculty, Dr. Majlesi has served as chair of the Biology/Kinesiology cluster and as a member of different participatory governance committees.  

More recently, Dr. Majlesi has served as the interim dean of the STEM Division and in this role has collaborated with student services and the Puente/Accesso program to provide programs and services that address inequalities in the field of STEM.  

In each of these roles, he has demonstrated dedication to academic excellence, commitment to equitable student success, and a commitment to STEM education. Dr. Majlesi is devoted to advancing the Guided Pathways work and working with faculty to ensure that the college offers innovative programs that will prepare students for success in STEM fields. Moreover, Dr. Majlesi is a strong advocate for diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and is committed to continuing to serve COA/PCCD and our communities.  
 
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Reza Majlesi on his appointment as the Dean of the STEM Division!

Dear Peralta Community,

I'm pleased to announce that Dr. Tina Vasconcellos, Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Services at the Peralta Community College District, has been selected to participate in community college leadership professional development and has received a scholarship for in-person training costs.

Merritt College Holds Career Fair

On May 4th Merritt College held its Career Fair. In what can only be described as an unqualified success, we had 151 Merritt students and 32 visitors from the general public (183 in total) in attendance! Nearly 40 employers participated in the fair as well (including companies and organizations such as Marriott, United Airlines, Coca-Cola, Fed Ex, USPS, Alameda Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security, Enterprise, and Goodwill).

Professor Mark Rauzon’s Summer Work in the Arctic

Professor Mark Rauzon will be the seabird observer on a research expedition to the Bering Sea and beyond on a Canadian Ice Breaker. Leaving Victoria BC on July 5th, Prof. Rauzon will be collecting seabird distribution data when the ship is underway and when the ship is on station.

Alameda Chamber Lunch & Learn Seminar Features The Power of CoA

The Alameda Chamber and Economic Alliance Education Program hosts a monthly seminar Lunch & Learn speaker series featuring guest presenters with essential knowledge on relevant business-related topics. On April 13, 2023, College of Alameda (CoA) Acting President Diana Bajrami was invited to present a seminar about the Power of CoA, focusing on how employers may recruit talent through the College's various internship, apprenticeship, and job placement services.

OAKLAND, Calif., May 24, 2023 – Last night, the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Denise Richardson to serve as Interim President of Berkeley City College effective July 1, 2023, and extending to June 30, 2024, or until a permanent president is hired. Dr. Richardson is currently the Vice President of Instruction at Merritt College, a role she began in March 2020. She has been an employee of the district for over 20 years, starting as a faculty member at Laney College in 2001.

The Peralta Association of African American Affairs (PAAAA) hosted a lovely event in honor of seven outstanding students on May 4th, 2023, at the Peralta Community College District headquarters in Oakland.  Dr. Lawrence VanHook (PAAAA President) led attendees through the program that included Libations by Dr. Marlon Hall (Laney College Vice President of Student Services) and a thrilling performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by Laney College student Alison Fletcher. 

The following article is written by Brock Drazen, Athletic Director at Merritt College and Head Coach of the Merritt College Track & Field team, and is used by permission from an announcement sent to all Peralta employees on May 22, 2022.

Our season has come to an end with 2 more state champions this past Saturday at Modesto Junior College. Isela Ochoa won in the 400 hurdles making that 2 for 2 in 2022 and 2023 and Kwaku Owusu won in the 400m for his first state championship.

Dear COA family,

The Department of Ethnic Studies in collaboration with the Office of the President would like to wish our community a Joyful Celebration of the Asian Pacific Islander and DESI American (APIDA) Month.