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.

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.