Here in the East Bay, we live in an earthquake zone, so it’s important that we all know what to do to keep as safe as possible during a quake. The Great California Shakeout on October 16, 2025, at 10:16 am, is an opportunity to test our emergency preparedness in case of an earthquake. On that day and time, the Peralta Community College District will test our emergency communication system, Rave, by sending you all a text and email message advising you of the Great Shakeout emergency earthquake test.
Allison Greene shares her heartwarming experience at the Berkeley City College (BCC) Library. She emphasizes that students can access a variety of resources beyond books, such as Chromebooks, headphones, calculators, and phone chargers. There is also a stationery area where students can use staplers, pencils, and hole punchers. In addition, free printing is available.
On September 8, 2025, the Peralta Colleges Foundation hosted the annual “Dr. William (Bill) Riley Swing for Student Success Golf Tournament” at the Sequoyah Country Club in the Oakland Hills. The golf tournament is the major annual fundraising event for the Foundation, which provides students at Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College with much-needed financial resources, including scholarships, grants, and mentoring.
Welcoming Ilona McGriff, Director of Workforce Development
Berkeley City College is pleased to welcome Ilona McGriff in her role as Director of Workforce Development. Ilona will support California Apprenticeship Initiative grants, SWP, and Perkins planning and reporting, as well as employer engagement and identifying new funding for the College. We’re excited to have someone with Ilona’s expertise to help bolster the college’s growing workforce partnerships and grants.
Fall Flex Day Welcomes Back BCC Community and Honors Retirees
Berkeley City College launched the new academic year with its Fall 2025 Flex Day on Friday, August 15, organized by the Professional Development Committee. The day began with a warm breakfast, providing faculty, staff, and administrators an opportunity to reconnect while enjoying a slideshow of summer vacation photos shared by employees.
Welcome to the Peralta Colleges – we're glad you’re here! Here's some info that might be useful in your first week of the Fall 2025 Semester.
On Thursday, August 7, the Peralta Colleges Office of International Education hosted its Fall 2025 Welcome Day for all international students across all four colleges. The event was held at Berkeley City College, and featured a speech from BCC president Dr. Denise Richardson, welcoming new and returning students to their home away from home at Peralta. The day was full of social activities as well as stations to inform students of the variety of resources available to them, such as transportation and enrollment assistance.
A dedicated team of representatives from the Peralta Community College District recently journeyed to Southern California for the July ASCCC (Academic Senate for California Community Colleges) Curriculum Institute. Embracing a fitting Star Trek theme, the institute celebrated curriculum leaders who "go boldly... where no one has gone before" in their commitment to academic innovation.
Each of the Peralta Colleges held wonderful commencement ceremonies this year. Joe Sullivan from Peralta's marketing department put together this very nice highlights reel which Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson shared with the Board of Trustees during her Chancellor's Report on June 10, 2025. Congratulations Class of 2025 Graduates!
On May 22, 2025, Berkeley City College held its graduation ceremony at the Laney College Football Field, honoring the accomplishments of the Class of 2025. The ceremony celebrated the resilience and achievements of the graduates, with inspiring words from speakers and a vibrant atmosphere.
