Recognition for our Innovative Excellence
Last month, the President’s Office received notification that the College of Alameda has been nominated for the Excellence in Workforce Development Award at the 2025 Innovation Island Excellence Awards! The nomination highlighted CoA’s commitment to innovation, creativity, and how our impact has set a remarkable standard in our community.
On May 20, 2025, the Peralta Community College District held its annual Lavender Graduation at the College of Alameda (COA). This commencement ceremony honors the accomplishments of our LGBTQIA+ students, recognizing their unique journeys and contributions to our campus community. The event, open to all, and filled with food, music, love, and a strong sense of community, recognized the perseverance and triumphs of the graduating class.
On behalf of the Laney College Classified Senate, Peralta is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Rene Rivas Classified Senate Scholarship. Although Rene’s family could not attend the ceremony, they thoughtfully reviewed the applications and selected the awardees listed below. Each recipient was awarded a $500 scholarship to support their educational goals.
Berkeley, CA – On May 14, 2025, the Peralta Community College District held its fifth annual Raíces Latinx Graduation celebration at Berkeley City College. The event, open to all, honored the achievements of Latinx graduates from Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College, marking a significant milestone for students and their families.
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Peralta Association of African American Affairs (PAAAA) proudly hosted its 17th Annual African/African American Graduation for the Peralta Community College District. The vibrant event, open to all, celebrated the rich tapestry of the African diaspora while honoring the remarkable achievements of graduates from Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College.
OAKLAND, CA – On Friday, May 9, 2025, the Peralta Community College District hosted its second annual district-wide Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Graduation Celebration, bringing together students, families, faculty, and staff from Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College to honor the achievements of the graduating class of 2025.
Years of Service Celebration
On Friday, May 2, 2025, the college community came together to celebrate the countless years employees have contributed to the lives of students and the unwavering commitment CoA has to the community.
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, on a glorious spring day in Oakland, we kicked off “Smile Season” and the month-long celebration of student successes throughout the district. Following the tradition of Libations by Kimm Blackwell, Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson warmly welcomed attendees to the Peralta Association of African American Affairs (PAAAA) Scholarship Awardee Reception, expressing her joy in celebrating the extraordinary student scholars. She began by acknowledging and thanking the PAAAA Scholarship Committee for their dedication in making the event possible.
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.
Nick Arata remembers watching car repair programs on TV with his grandfather when he was growing up. He always wanted to know how things work and how to fix them when they broke. He started taking Auto classes at COA right out of high school.
