Dear Peralta Community,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge that many across our community are reflecting on the recent reports and allegations regarding Cesar Chavez. For some, this may feel especially heavy, given the deep connections to the farmworker movement and its legacy, and those impacted by sexual violence and abuse.

Dear Peralta Community,

As we head into the final months of the school year, I want to share an update on the District’s efforts to maintain high-quality, affordable education for East Bay students as we plan for the years ahead.

The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) headquarters was transformed into a vibrant, chic piano bar and lounge on Friday, February 27th, as the Peralta Colleges Foundation hosted its first-ever "Peralta Piano Party." The high-energy fundraiser brought together employees, friends, family, trustees, and community partners for an evening dedicated to expanding educational access through student scholarships.

On Friday, February 27, 2026, members of the District-wide shared governance committees and the three Transformation taskforces gathered at Merritt College for reports on Fall 2025 shared governance activities - with a special focus on the Transformation Plan.

It has been a heavy season — in our region, in our nation, and in higher education itself. The deployment of federal agents to Coast Guard Island, the threats to undocumented and mixed-status families, and the dismantling of Federal programs like HSI, AANAPISI, and TRIO funding hit close to home. They are more than policy decisions; they are an assault on the very idea of education as liberation — as a pathway to belonging, dignity, and opportunity.

Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson and the District Service Center (DSC) leadership team completed their district-wide tour on September 10-11, visiting Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College, with an encore presentation at the District Service Center on October 9, 2025. The roadshow provided a direct channel for communication with faculty, classified professionals, and administrators, focusing on strategic planning and new initiatives designed to unify and strengthen the district. 

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.

Peralta Community College District employees recently gathered at Merritt College for a dynamic and engaging Flex Day focused on professional development. Organized by district-wide Professional Development Co-Coordinators Chelsea Cohen and Marla Leech, the event was yet another resounding success, bringing together educators from across the district to enhance their skills and prep for the Fall semester.