The quote “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle” may have come from self-help author Napoleon Hill, but it certainly epitomizes the approach that Ms. Esperiza Kimble (affectionately known as Carmela) has taken to achieve her academic goals. Arriving in the United States from the Philippines at age 17, seeking a better life for herself and her daughter, Carmela had to overcome many obstacles—challenges that included poverty, depression, and self-doubt.
Below is a list of the top finishers at the 2023 Northern California Championship and our California State Championship qualifiers:
The Peralta Colleges are often mentioned in news media outlets. Recently, our colleges have seen a lot of positive press from national news outlets, such as when Dr. Angélica Garcia was appointed to a presidential committee including celebrities resulting in the mention of Berkeley City College in publications ranging from InStyle (12 Million readers) to Telemundo Puerto Rico (471 Thousand readers). Here are a few other recent news items mentioning our colleges.
Merritt College Selected to Participate in Leading From the Middle (LFM) Academies
The RP Group and the State Chancellor’s Office have joined forces to develop Leading From the Middle (LFM) Academies to provide college stakeholders an opportunity to delve into relevant research and develop new ways to lead. Using themes from the Merritt College equity plan (and at the suggestion of faculty member Lowell Bennett), VPI Denise Richardson submitted an application on behalf of Merritt College. On April 28, we were notified that Merritt was selected.
The Northern California Championship Trials are in the books and Merritt College Track and Field is moving on to the NorCal finals this coming Friday with strong showings across the board. Both the 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay teams advanced to the final 9 which is always nerve-racking and satisfying because the precision and teamwork of the relays often impacts all the rest of the individual performances (dramatic videos below).
The Peralta Community College District is proud to celebrate the granting of tenure to seven members of our faculty by the Board of Trustees in March, with tenure taking effect with the 2023-24 academic year. These seven join the ranks of tenured faculty at our four colleges, adding ever more experience and talent to the core of our distinguished faculty, the foundation of our ability to help our students reach their educational goals. Congratulations to all for earning this distinction and for your dedication to our students.
To view all the photos taken during the event, click here.
The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has recognized Merritt College President Dr. David M. Johnson with its Paragon Award for New Presidents. The national award is given to college presidents who have been in their positions for less than three years, and who “have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment.”
Merritt College Honored by Campaign for College Opportunity
Merritt Colleges recently learned that the Campaign for College Opportunity named Merritt College a 2023 Champion for Excelling in Equitable Course Placement. The organization’s mission is to ensure that all eligible and motivated students in California have an opportunity to go to college and succeed, and with the passage of AB 705 they have focused on increasing access to and success in transfer-level English and math courses across all racial and ethnic groups.
OAKLAND, Calif., April 18, 2023 – Course registration fees are being waived for the Fall 2023 semester at all four of the colleges within the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) for a second year. Available to all California residents regardless of documented status, the fee waiver has no minimum course requirement.
Laney College ASLC Student Government leaders Meaghan Connor, Joshua Kofo, Nicholas Rothman, and Director Atiya Rashada join Student Boday President Omolola Atolagbe and their Peralta counterparts at the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) General Assembly, which took place from March 30th to April 2nd in Long Beach.
