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 Antwa Rodriquez, who is reaching for the skies in aviation with the help of EOPS!

EOPS is available to assist students with support services like early registration, academic counseling, career guidance, tutoring, book grants, transfer assistance, and tons more.

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.

Pierce Byrne shares his experience of being a student trustee at the Peralta Community College District. He emphasizes that he was able to connect with his community on a deeper level as a Student Trustee and provide input on resources that students could benefit from in their daily lives.

Meet Colinda Stephens, College of Alameda student and EOPS Peer Mentor! The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is a state-funded program designed to provide support services to low-income and academically-disadvantaged students to become successful in college.

On May 20, 2025, the Peralta Community College District held its annual Lavender Graduation at the College of Alameda (COA). This commencement ceremony honors the accomplishments of our LGBTQIA+ students, recognizing their unique journeys and contributions to our campus community. The event, open to all, and filled with food, music, love, and a strong sense of community, recognized the perseverance and triumphs of the graduating class.

On behalf of the Laney College Classified Senate, Peralta is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Rene Rivas Classified Senate Scholarship. Although Rene’s family could not attend the ceremony, they thoughtfully reviewed the applications and selected the awardees listed below. Each recipient was awarded a $500 scholarship to support their educational goals.

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.