On December 10, 2025, Laney College and the Peralta Community College District hosted "Light the Path, Light the Field: A Luminaria Walk Honoring the Legacy of Coach John Beam."
You've probably heard of ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages but are you familiar with VESL? That stands for Vocational English as a Second Language. This term refers to English language programs that specifically integrate job skills and workplace competencies to improve the employability of students. Our colleague Jamille Teer (District Service Center Department of General Services and 4CS Board Member) recently attended a Laney VESL graduation ceremony and found it to be a moving experience.
Laney College opened its doors to innovation on Friday as students, faculty, industry partners, and community leaders gathered for the official Bay Area Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence Open House. Held in the newly activated AI hub in Building F, Room 254, the event marked a major step forward in Laney’s commitment to offering accessible, industry-aligned AI education.
On November 6-8, 2025, Peralta sent
10 + 1 (!) representatives (10 from each of the four college faculty senates and one from the District Academic Senate) to the
Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) 2025 Fall Plenary Session in La Jolla.
Dear Peralta Community,
I'm heartbroken to share the passing of our colleague and friend,
Coach John Beam. Like many of you, I struggle to comprehend the tragic loss of someone with so much bravado, enthusiasm, and tenacity for life. John's vibrancy could be felt in every space he entered, proudly wearing his passion for students, Laney College, and Oakland. Moreover, his impact can be felt through generations of families in our community, having coached and mentored so many.
The Peralta Community College District wants to make you aware of an incident that occurred at Laney College earlier today.
Tuesday, October 28th was a landmark day for Laney College as the campus hosted the official Groundbreaking and Construction Kickoff for three major Measure G-funded projects: the Library & Learning Resource Center, Theater Modernization, and Locker Room Renovation.
It has been a heavy season — in our region, in our nation, and in higher education itself. The deployment of federal agents to Coast Guard Island, the threats to undocumented and mixed-status families, and the dismantling of Federal programs like HSI, AANAPISI, and TRIO funding hit close to home. They are more than policy decisions; they are an assault on the very idea of education as liberation — as a pathway to belonging, dignity, and opportunity.
Laney College and Merritt College campuses were both filled with smiles, laughter, andharmless Halloween mischiefas children from the Childcare Centers participated in Halloween festivities. Dressed in adorable costumes - from superheroes and princesses to tiny pumpkins and firefighters - the children brightened everyone’s day as they made their rounds collecting candy and snacks.
Editor's Update: The article below was originally emailed to students and posted here on October 31st. As of November 7th, GOOD NEWS! CalFresh / SNAP / EBT benefits are becoming fully reinstated in California. You can read more about it from the California Governor's site here.
