The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) marketing and communications team recently attended the Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO) 2026 annual conference. Held in Paso Robles from April 8–10 this year, the event is the premier annual gathering for marketing professionals within the California Community Colleges system.

 The Peralta delegation included Tom Rizza from Berkeley City College, Chanda Brewer from Laney College, plus Faiza Ali, Jasmine Bledsoe, Marcus Creel, and Mark Johnson from the District Service Center.

"I am so proud of the entire Peralta team! From speaking at sessions to doing award-winning work all year long, everyone helped burnish our district's reputation as thought leaders in the state," said Mark Johnson, Executive Director of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations.  PCCD staff led several key sessions, sharing innovative strategies and lessons learned with colleagues from across California.

• Faiza Ali and Marcus Creel presented on promoting student-athletes through the implementation of "sports media days."
• Mark Johnson spoke in two sessions: one focusing on the technical evolution from Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and a second regarding crisis communications last year.

Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson praised the team’s contributions, noting that Peralta’s work is increasingly viewed as a benchmark for excellence.  "The District continues to set a high standard," Dr. Gilkerson stated. "They consistently produce high quality, creative content that elevates our district and showcases the best of what our colleges have to offer."

The conference also served as a backdrop for significant personal and academic milestones:

• Eliot Faine, a Laney College journalism student and Editor-in-Chief of The Peralta Citizen, was awarded a $500 CCPRO scholarship in recognition of his work and potential in the field. Congratulations Eliot!
• Marcus Creel was celebrated for completing his Master’s degree in Strategic Communication along with several other CCPRO members, participating in a "mini graduation" ceremony with his cohort during the event. Congratulations Marcus!

The district's marketing efforts were officially recognized during the CCPRO awards ceremony. The PCCD team took home honors in several categories, including:

• Brochure Design
• Website Design
• Media Success Story

Dr. Gilkerson expressed her appreciation for the team's dedication to the district’s mission. "I'm deeply grateful to the entire team for their tireless work," she shared during her report to the Board on April 14th.

The recognition at CCPRO 2026 underscores Peralta’s commitment to clear, creative, beautiful, and impactful communications that support student success across the four colleges.