At the April 14 meeting of the Board of Trustees, Peralta Community College District Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson shared highlights from a recent ceremony honoring her induction into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame.The Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding women for their achievements and contributions to the county and its residents. Induction serves as a testament to a legacy of work in both professional careers and volunteer service that has left a lasting, positive impact on the community.
On Saturday, March 28, Dr. Gilkerson was honored alongside nine other pioneers representing fields such as news media, law enforcement, technology, social justice, and healthcare. Despite the personal nature of the accolade, Dr. Gilkerson emphasized that the honor belongs to the entire district.
"I see this not as a personal achievement but as a recognition of all of us for the transformational work we are doing here in the Peralta Colleges every day," Dr. Gilkerson said.
The Chancellor also shared the story behind her nomination, which she learned about during the ceremony. The nomination was submitted by Amy Costa, a member of the California Community Colleges State Board of Governors and a resident of Alameda, in Peralta's service area.
The event featured several surprise guests, including California Community Colleges State Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian. Dr. Gilkerson described the moment she realized her colleagues were in attendance to support her. "I was really overwhelmed," she remarked, noting that the presence of leadership from across the state "is a reflection of what we’re celebrating tonight and the work that’s been happening in the District."
In addition to state leadership, the event was attended by Vincent McCarley and his daughter Mallory McCarley, who both work at Backstrom McCarley Berry & Co., a longtime supporter of the Hall of Fame who also assists with financial management of Peralta’s bond program. Thanks to Vincent and Mallory for providing the photos of the event!
The induction highlights a continued period of recognition for the leadership within the Peralta Community College District and underscores the positive impact of the district's educational and career training services on the broader Alameda County community.