The Peralta Community College District is proud to celebrate the eleven faculty members granted tenure by the Board of Trustees during their meeting on March 10, 2026, an achievement honored during a vibrant reception before the board meeting that recognized their role in maintaining high academic standards. As these educators officially begin their tenured status in the 2026-27 academic year, they join the ranks of our distinguished faculty, bringing the talent and experience necessary to help students reach their educational goals. Peralta Colleges are full of teachers who love to teach! Congratulations to this cohort for earning this significant distinction and for their unwavering dedication to student achievement.

Dr. Tina Vasconcellos, Vice Chancellor of Educational Services, presided over the event as the master of ceremonies. The new tenure recipients also received congratulations and praise from District Academic Senate President Dr. Leslie Blackie and Peralta Federation of Teachers President Jeff Sanceri.

Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson congratulated the Tenure Recipients and their families, commenting, “I want to acknowledge the community of support from family, friends, and coworkers, and also recognize the college tenure review coordinators and their individual tenure committees. Thank you!”

PCCD Board President Louis Quindlen shared that his favorite events each academic year include graduation ceremonies for students and the tenure reception for faculty, as they are both significant milestones for our community.

The evening concluded with personal introductions of each candidate by their respective college leaders: Dr. Denise Richardson of Berkeley City College, President Melanie Dixon of College of Alameda, Dr. Becky Opsata of Laney College, and Dr. David M. Johnson of Merritt College.

Berkeley City College

Dr. Erika Yeh

Born and raised in Brazil, Dr. Erika Yeh earned her B.S. in Biology and a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of São Paulo. Her Ph.D. in Genetics led her through prestigious postdoctoral training at Stanford and UCSF, where she specialized in craniofacial development and autism-related neural genes. Throughout fifteen years of high-level research, she consistently prioritized student mentorship, a passion that eventually led her to join BCC full-time in 2022. As Dr. Richardson noted, Erika’s student-centered philosophy is perfectly captured by her guiding motto: “You can learn without a teacher, but you can never teach without a student.”

At BCC, Dr. Yeh teaches genetics and biotechnology while serving as the Biotechnology Internship Program Coordinator, overseeing a $3 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. In this vital role, she creates direct pathways for students to gain professional experience at world-class laboratories like UC Berkeley and Stanford. By blending rigorous scientific thinking with genuine curiosity, she provides her students with the technical skills and professional confidence to thrive. Dr. Richardson concluded by celebrating Erika as a transformative educator who builds new opportunities and opens doors that shape the futures of everyone she mentors.

College of Alameda

Dr. Edwin Ochong

Dr. Edwin Ochong joined the College of Alameda in 2022, bringing a distinguished background in scientific research and global education. After earning his Ph.D. from the School of Tropical Medicine at the University of Liverpool and completing a postdoctoral fellowship at UCSF, Dr. Ochong taught at several prestigious institutions, including UC Berkeley Extension and SF State. His deep connection to the Peralta District began in 2013 as an adjunct at Merritt College, eventually leading to his full-time role teaching General Biology and Microbiology at Alameda.

Dr. Ochong has been instrumental in expanding the college's STEM offerings, specifically by establishing the Microbiology laboratory course. Beyond his instructional excellence, he is an active leader in campus governance, serving on the Institutional Effectiveness Committee and as a STEM Faculty Representative. Guided by his philosophy of building strong foundations before moving forward, Dr. Ochong continues to inspire his students to approach scientific inquiry with precision, curiosity, and critical thinking.

George Cruz

Professor George Cruz brings decades of technical excellence and military service to the College of Alameda. After serving as a jet engine mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, he dedicated 36 years to aviation maintenance with the Department of Defense, mastering complex systems for aircraft like the C-5 and C-130. His transition into academia was fueled by a personal mission to pass forward the discipline and opportunity that aviation education provided him, a journey that led him from adjunct roles to becoming a full-time instructor in 2018.

Beyond his extensive classroom instruction, Professor Cruz is a highly credentialed industry expert, holding FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certification and serving as an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner. His tenure recognizes a lifetime of service and a profound commitment to mentoring the next generation of aviation professionals. By drawing on the influence of his own past instructors, he continues to provide life-changing impact and essential technical training for the skilled workforce of the future.

KL Nadeesha Dias

Professor KL Nadeesha Dias’s career is a powerful full-circle story within the Peralta Community College District. Originally from Sri Lanka, she began her American educational journey at Laney College before transferring to UC Davis and eventually earning a Master of Science in Counseling from CSU Sacramento. Her professional return to the district in 2015 saw her supporting the WorkAbility III and College to Career programs, where she focused on helping students with disabilities transition successfully into higher education and the workforce.

Now serving as a counselor for Student Accessibility Services, Professor Dias is a dedicated champion for equitable access and inclusive learning. Her work is defined by her firsthand understanding of the community college experience and her belief in education's power to transform lives. The conferring of her tenure celebrates her tireless advocacy for students navigating disability-related barriers and her inspiring evolution from a Peralta student to a vital faculty mentor.

Laney College

Abraham Reyes

Abraham Reyes has officially been granted tenure at Laney College, a milestone that underscores his dedication to academic excellence and student empowerment. Throughout his time with the Peralta Community College District, Reyes has been recognized for his ability to create a dynamic and inclusive classroom environment. His approach to instruction often integrates contemporary challenges with foundational theory, ensuring that his students are well-prepared for both further academic pursuits and their professional careers.

The conferring of tenure reflects Reyes's consistent contributions to his department and his proactive role in campus-wide equity initiatives. Colleagues note that his "unwavering commitment to student success and his innovative pedagogical strategies have made a lasting impact on our campus culture." As a tenured faculty member, Reyes will continue to be a vital leader in shaping the educational experience at Laney College for years to come.

Daniel DeVere

Daniel DeVere’s transition to tenured faculty at Laney College celebrates a professional journey rooted in a deep passion for student success and institutional growth. DeVere has become a vital asset to the campus, known for his collaborative spirit and his proactive approach to addressing the evolving needs of the student body. His work often extends beyond the classroom, involving significant contributions to faculty committees and campus-wide initiatives that promote academic rigor and equity.

The conferring of tenure recognizes DeVere's sustained excellence in teaching and his unwavering dedication to the mission of the community college system. His peers highlight his "unique ability to inspire students to reach their full potential while maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity." With this new chapter, DeVere remains a key figure in shaping the future of Laney College’s educational landscape.

Emily Quach

Laney College is proud to celebrate the conferring of tenure on Emily Quach, an innovative scientist and educator within the Biotechnology and Biology programs. Quach has gained recognition for her forward-thinking approach to "supply chain" education, ensuring that students are uniquely prepared for the demands of the modern bioscience workforce. Her dedication to the field is further evidenced by her status as a fellow of the Bay Area Bioscience Education Community (BABEC) and her successful efforts in securing grants and presenting at national conferences, such as the NSF-ATE.

This achievement reflects Quach’s unwavering dedication to academic excellence and her ability to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry needs. Her peers commend her "unique ability to secure vital resources for our programs and her tireless advocacy for student success in the biotechnology sector." With this new status, Quach remains a key figure in the Peralta District’s mission to provide cutting-edge, equitable education.

Jack Smith

Laney College is proud to announce the conferring of tenure on Jack Smith, a faculty member known for his deep expertise and his collaborative approach to education. Smith has distinguished himself through his work in curriculum development and his commitment to staying at the forefront of his field. His presence in the classroom is characterized by a focus on practical application and critical thinking, helping students bridge the gap between academic study and real-world success.

This achievement marks a significant chapter in Smith’s professional journey within the district, recognizing his years of service and his passion for the community college mission. His peers frequently highlight his "leadership in faculty mentorship and his dedication to maintaining high standards of academic integrity." With this new status, Smith remains a cornerstone of the Laney faculty, dedicated to fostering a supportive and rigorous learning environment.

Mariella Thanning

Mariella Thanning has officially earned tenure at Laney College, marking a significant milestone in her career as a distinguished faculty member in the Biology department. Known for her deep expertise in the life sciences, Thanning has become a cornerstone of the department through her focus on inquiry-based learning and her efforts to integrate undergraduate research into the curriculum. Beyond the classroom, she is a vital voice in campus governance, contributing her leadership and vision through her dedicated service on the Faculty Senate.

The conferring of tenure recognizes Thanning's sustained excellence and her commitment to fostering a rigorous, hands-on scientific environment for her students. Her colleagues frequently highlight her "proactive leadership in curriculum development and her passion for mentorship within the STEM community." As a tenured instructor, Thanning will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the biological sciences at Laney and inspiring the next generation of researchers.

Rosendo Del Toro

Rosendo Del Toro has officially earned tenure at Laney College, marking a milestone in a career defined by academic excellence and community engagement. Since joining the faculty, Del Toro has distinguished himself through his pedagogical innovation and his commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment for all students. His colleagues frequently cite his ability to bridge complex theoretical concepts with practical, real-world applications as a cornerstone of his success within his department.

His elevation to tenured status reflects years of dedicated service to the Peralta Community College District and a proven track record of student advocacy. As noted in his professional citations, his "contributions to curriculum development and student mentorship have been instrumental in the growth of our academic programs." This achievement ensures that his expertise and passion for education will continue to benefit the Laney College community for years to come.

Merritt College

Andrea Henderson

Merritt College is celebrating a significant milestone for English instructor Andrea Henderson, whose journey to tenure is a testament to the transformative power of education. Following a layoff from the Oakland Unified School District in 2004, Henderson enrolled in a Toni Morrison-focused English course at Merritt, taught by Dr. Chriss Foster. This experience shifted her trajectory, inspiring her to earn a master's degree in English literature and participate in the Faculty Diversity Internship Program before joining the faculty as a part-time instructor in 2013.

Her persistence over the last decade led to a tenure-track appointment in 2022 and her recent official conferring of tenure. In a statement of praise, Merritt College President Dr. David M. Johnson noted, "Perseverance and her love for Merritt ultimately resulted in her being hired as a tenure-track faculty member in 2022, and I am so pleased that we will have her in the years to come. Well done, Professor Henderson!

More photos from the Tenure Reception are posted here: https://peraltacolleges.smugmug.com/District/Events-/2026-EVENTS/Tenured-Faculty-Reception/n-NL79P4.