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.
It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks with our state championship meet followed days later by graduation and then high school recruiting in overdrive with the OAL track and field championships, North Coast Section (NCS) Meet of Champions, and the high school state championships at Buchanon HS in Clovis. Onboarding new students, finding college homes for grads, and starting up our high school summer program with Oakland Pal (over 100 high school students this year!) has kept me movin' and groovin'.
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.
Merritt College Hosts First-Ever Sneaker Ball
Merritt College closed out April and capped off California Community Colleges Black Student Success Week (BSSW) with our first-ever Sneaker Ball! The purpose of BSSW is to emphasize how institutions are supporting underserved students (including but not limited to Black and African American students), to ensure their success in community colleges and beyond.
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.
