CoA Kicks Off Fall Semester with a Series of Robust Flex Day Activities Focusing on Future Shaping
The CoA Staff Development Committee, led by Chair Drew Burgess, planned a series of forward-looking Flex Day activities focusing on the topic of Future Shaping, and themes of hope and team building. The innovative series of workshops took place on August 18, 2023. Flex Day was offered in a Hy-Flex format with many participating in-person as well as online via Zoom.
Fall is Free in 2023 and the semester kicked off on August 21, 2023. Welcome Week at the Peralta Colleges marks the beginning of a fresh adventure for both new and returning students. Each College was bustling with events tailored to welcome incoming students into our tight-knit community. From Ice Cream Socials at Merritt to Pancakes with the President at COA, and from the Campus Resource Fair at BCC to a Block Party at Laney, it is safe to say that Welcome Week was a great success!
Dear Peralta Community,
Parking Permit Process for Fall Semester
For the fall semester, we are reinstating parking permits at College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College. We will be using a temporary system as we look to implement a new district parking enforcement program for spring. During the fall semester, there is no fee for parking, and we will not be ticketing.
At Berkeley City College, there is not a PCCD-owned lot available. Employees should check with the BCC business office for parking information.
Over 60,000 Attend the City of Alameda’s 4th of July Parade
The 46th Annual City of Alameda’s 4th of July Parade, titled The Island’s Independence Celebration, is reportedly the longest in the nation with a route that spans over three miles. College of Alameda was one of 170 entries in this year’s event. CoA Acting President Dr. Diana Bajrami and PCCD Trustee Bill Withrow rode in an antique car and were among 2,500 parade participants.
The Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) class of 2023 celebrated their commencement at the College of Alameda Gymnasium on Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students, family members, friends, and the entire AUSD Board of Trustees participated in the joyous occasion. Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell, PCCD Interim Chancellor Dr. Jannett Jackson, and PCCD Trustee Bill Withrow also attended the event. Trustee Withrow and Chancellor Jackson received special recognition for their unwavering support to ASTI since its initial creation in 2004.
ASTI Class of 2023 Celebrates Commencement at CoA
The Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) class of 2023 celebrated their commencement at the College of Alameda Gymnasium on Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students, family members, friends, and the entire AUSD Board of Trustees participated in the joyous occasion. Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell, PCCD Interim Chancellor Dr. Jannett Jackson, and PCCD Trustee Bill Withrow also attended the event. Trustee Withrow and Chancellor Jackson received special recognition for their unwavering support to ASTI since its initial creation in 2004.
Oakland, June 29, 2023
Dear Peralta Community,
Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that the admissions systems used by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill illegally violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively overturning Affirmative Action programs. This is an unfortunate decision.
Over 400 High School and Middle Students Visit CoA ACCESO Center
CoA’s ACCESO Center hosted over 450 students from eight Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) high schools and middle schools in the past academic year. Participating schools included: Castlemont High School (OUSD), Encinal Middle School (AUSD), Oakland International High School (OUSD), Life Academy High School (OUSD), Alameda Community Learning Center (AUSD), NEA Community Learning Center (AUSD), and The Unity Council of Oakland (OUSD).
The Class of 2023 Celebrates In-Person for the First Time Since 2019
This year the College of Alameda’s Class of 2023 celebrated Commencement and Transfer Events fully in person for the first time since 2019. On May 18, 2023, 44 students participated in the College’s Transfer Event. Students received gifts, a cupcake decorated with the name of their transfer schools, and a special outdoor display of all of the schools that they are transferring to. CoA counselors Maha Elaidy, Vivian Virkkila, and Student Accessibility Services Director Rachel Goodwin greeted students and their families. Each of the students rang a ceremonial bell as they departed the event.
College of Alameda celebrated its 2023 graduates with a fully in-person event on May 26 on the CoA soccer field. The commencement ceremony included speeches from Acting CoA President Dr. Diana Bajrami, incoming President of the Faculty Senate of College of Alameda Jennifer Fowler, and Valedictorian Verlie Carmack Collins.
