OAKLAND, CA — On September 2, 2025, the Peralta Community College District and Merritt College celebrated a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Horticulture Complex on the beautiful campus in the Oakland Hills. Funded by the generous support of northern Alameda County voters through Bond Measure G, the state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for education, sustainability, and innovation for generations to come.
Strategic Scheduling Yields Strong Enrollment and Increased Productivity at Merritt College
With the Fall 2025 semester fully underway, I am pleased to share that Merritt College is in a very strong position as it pertains to our enrollment picture this term. Compared to this same time last year, we are currently offering 39 fewer sections and utilizing 13 fewer FTEF. And yet, we have only 88 fewer students attending the college (which resulted in an increase in productivity from 13.92 to 15.47).
The Peralta Community College District is excited to announce the first-ever Peralta Pumpkin Pursuit, a 5K run/walk fundraiser to benefit the Peralta Colleges Foundation. This event aims to bring our community together for a fun, active day while raising crucial funds to support our students and educational programs.
The Peralta Colleges Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the Dr. Donald H. Godbold Endowed Memorial Scholarship, created to honor the enduring legacy of a man who was a visionary leader and a dedicated member of the Oakland community. This new scholarship will support Merritt College students as they continue their educational journeys.
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.
Meet Allison Dinh, Merritt College EOPS alum! From fearful to fearsome, Allison 'Ally' Dinh went from unsure about college to making plans for a master's! Being a single parent and working two jobs is tough, but she didn't have to do it alone; EOPS and the Merritt College community were there and helped her every step of the way.
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, Merritt College held its commencement ceremony at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2025. The ceremony was filled with inspiring speeches and heartfelt congratulations.
