A dedicated group of faculty representatives from the Peralta Community College District recently joined colleagues from across the state at the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) 2025 Spring Plenary Session. The Plenary, a key event for faculty leadership, provides a vital forum for discussing and voting on resolutions that shape the future of California's community colleges. This year’s theme was “Creative Collaboration Now: Leading for Student Success.”

Dr. Leslie Blackie, Laney College Faculty Senate President, shared a photo of the Peralta attendees. As she noted, in the spirit of the "10 + 1" faculty roles outlined in Title 5, ten individuals were pictured at a dinner gathering, plus one additional faculty member unable to be present for the photo.

The Peralta contingent included representatives from each of the district's colleges: Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College, as well as the District Academic Senate (DAS).

Attendees (with campus) pictured clockwise around the table from the lower right were:

• Iolani Sodhy-Gereben (Laney)
• Eleni Gastis (Laney)
• Carla Pegues (COA)
• Cynthia Haro (COA)
• Tom Renberger (Merritt)
• Fatima Shah (BCC)
• Kimm Blackwell (Laney)
• Heather Sisneros (Laney)
• Leslie Blackie (Laney)
• Matt Freeman (BCC)
• Nghiem Thai (Merritt) was the eleventh attendee, not pictured

Three of the Peralta faculty members were attending the ASCCC Plenary for the first time, demonstrating a growing engagement in statewide academic leadership within the district. The Peralta delegation actively participated in both general sessions and various breakout sessions, engaging in robust discussions and debates on critical issues facing the community college system. Our delegates, representing the four college senates and the DAS, played a crucial role in voting on the resolutions presented.

The strong representation from Peralta at this important statewide event underscores the district's statewide thought leadership and commitment to active faculty involvement in shaping the policies and practices that impact our students and colleges. Their participation ensures that the voices and perspectives of Peralta faculty are heard and considered at the state level.