After a long-awaited return, the Landscape and Horticulture program at Merritt College has finally made a comeback with its annual plant sale. The packed-out, all-day event was hosted on May 2nd in the newly renovated Landscape and Horticulture building, welcoming roughly 450 community members, students, and plant enthusiasts who came out to support the program and its students. All plants available for purchase were grown and cultivated by Merritt College students and staff, highlighting the hands-on learning at the core of the program. Building on the momentum of the building’s grand opening in Fall 2025, the event not only reintroduced a beloved campus tradition but also showcased the expanded capacity of the program to serve more students through hands-on learning opportunities.
During the April 14 Board of Trustees meeting, Davina Malbrough, current President of the Associated Students of Merritt College (ASMC), announced that she has been elected to serve as the next president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC). Congratulations Davina!
It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks as the team competed at the Mt. Sac relays and posted some more great marks leading into the Big 8 Conference Championships this coming Tuesday and Thursday. The video below is of the 4x100m as the men continue to gel as a team heading into the postseason.
Alameda County Re-Entry Conference Unites Community
I am pleased to share with you that last month’s 2nd Annual Alameda County Behavioral Health Department Re-Entry Conference, which Merritt College had the honor of hosting again this year, proved to be a phenomenal success. The theme: "Beyond Survival: Reclaiming Power, Purpose, and Possibility," exemplified the transformative power of cross-sector collaboration in service of our most vulnerable community members.
Welcome back, students! We hope you had a good spring break last week.
Enrollment for Summer/Fall 2026 Classes
Early enrollment began on Monday, April 8 and runs this week for many current students.
Peralta students now have a new option for convenient, discounted hot meals on campus. In partnership with Peralta District leadership, Foodture, a robotic hot food vending company, has installed hot food vending machines at each campus. Foodture machines offer chef-prepared hot meals for around $5 with easy payment options including credit/debit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Merritt Career & Wellness Fair Empowers Students Through Community Partnerships
On March 17, Merritt College hosted the Career and Wellness Resource Fair. This incredible event was the product of intentional collaboration and strategic partnership development, with our Sankofa Program successfully partnering with the group Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), as well as key campus programs including EOPS, SAS &, ASMC, and the Basic Needs Center.
The Peralta Community College District is proud to celebrate the eleven faculty members granted tenure by the Board of Trustees during their meeting on March 10, 2026, an achievement honored during a vibrant reception before the board meeting that recognized their role in maintaining high academic standards.
Merritt College Approved to Recruit Four Full-Time Faculty for Fall 2026
I want to begin by thanking our Council of Department Chairs and Program Directors (CDCPD), the Merritt College Academic Senate, and the Chancellor’s Office for their work, circumspection, and support as it pertains to this year’s faculty prioritization. I understand and appreciate the time and effort that went into evaluating Merritt’s staffing and programmatic needs as we prepare ourselves for this next chapter.
As Black History Month draws to a close, the Peralta Community College District family is mourning the loss of a foundational figure in our history, the Reverend Dr. Robert McKnight, who passed away on February 7, 2026. A dedicated educator, Black history curriculum innovator, pastor, and community leader, Dr. McKnight’s influence spanned four decades across all four Peralta campuses.
