Good morning, Merritt Community.
I am writing with great news to share! I am pleased to announce that Mr. Jorge Murillo is our new Director of Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (HSI Director). Now that he has had a few days to settle in, I encourage you to reach out and/or stop by his office to give him a warm Merritt College welcome! We are working with the District to create his email address, but in the meantime, he can be reached at aspira.merritt@peralta.edu. His office is R-113G.
Merritt College Safety Day
On Thursday, September 7 Merritt held its inaugural Safety Day. The event provided faculty, classified staff members, and administrators with the opportunity to share their concerns and suggestions related to public safety.
Fall is Free in 2023 and the semester kicked off on August 21, 2023. Welcome Week at the Peralta Colleges marks the beginning of a fresh adventure for both new and returning students. Each College was bustling with events tailored to welcome incoming students into our tight-knit community. From Ice Cream Socials at Merritt to Pancakes with the President at COA, and from the Campus Resource Fair at BCC to a Block Party at Laney, it is safe to say that Welcome Week was a great success!
Dear Peralta Community,
Parking Permit Process for Fall Semester
For the fall semester, we are reinstating parking permits at College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College. We will be using a temporary system as we look to implement a new district parking enforcement program for spring. During the fall semester, there is no fee for parking, and we will not be ticketing.
At Berkeley City College, there is not a PCCD-owned lot available. Employees should check with the BCC business office for parking information.
Merritt College would like to congratulate Mr. Damon Covington, who works as a faculty member in Merritt College’s Fire Sciences and Emergency Medical Technician department. Merritt is proud to share that last month he was appointed as Oakland’s new Interim Fire Chief!
Merritt and OUSD Celebrate Anniversary of Pre-Collegiate Academy
More than three decades ago, the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and Merritt College began a collaboration that resulted in the creation of the Pre-Collegiate Academy (PCA), a program specifically designed for students in Oakland middle and secondary schools.
Students who enrolled in Merritt College’s African American Studies 27 course (Afro-Caribbean History, Politics, and Culture) recently returned from their study abroad trip to Jamaica. This was a tremendous opportunity for them to learn first-hand about the historical, economic, and cultural development of the Caribbean and the effects of colonization on the region.
Lisa Cook Appointed Acting VP of Instruction at Merritt
Merritt College officially welcomes Lisa Cook as Acting Vice President of Instruction. Lisa comes to Merritt from Berkeley City College, where she has served as the Dean of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences since 2016. Her time in the Peralta District as an experienced leader and educator, however, spans more than 25 years.
Good morning, Merritt Community.
I am pleased to welcome Lisa Cook to the Merritt College family, as she formally begins her tenure as our Acting Vice President of Instruction. This morning marks her first day in the role, and we are grateful to have her. Lisa comes to us from Berkeley City College, where she has served as the Dean of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences since 2016. Her time in the Peralta District as an experienced leader and educator, however, spans more than 25 years.
Oakland, June 29, 2023
Dear Peralta Community,
Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that the admissions systems used by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill illegally violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively overturning Affirmative Action programs. This is an unfortunate decision.
