I want to begin by thanking our Council of Department Chairs and Program Directors (CDCPD), the Merritt College Academic Senate, and the Chancellor’s Office for their work, circumspection, and support as it pertains to this year’s faculty prioritization. I understand and appreciate the time and effort that went into evaluating Merritt’s staffing and programmatic needs as we prepare ourselves for this next chapter.
Laney College Women’s Basketball closed out its final home game on February 17 with a Sophomore Night celebration honoring nine student-athletes who will transfer to continue their academic and athletic careers. The event included a campus pre-game tailgate hosted by ASLC and the President’s Office, bringing together students, employees, and fans in support of the team.
One of the most significant milestones in an academic career is the awarding of tenure, a recognition of sustained excellence in teaching, service, and commitment to students. Tenure represents the pinnacle of faculty achievement and reflects the trust institutions place in educators to steward academic integrity, intellectual inquiry, and student learning for years to come.
Berkeley City College celebrated Black History Month with a series of events throughout February and the first week of March honoring Black culture, history, and achievement.
Enrollment at Merritt College is on the rise! Compared to this time last year, we have 239 more students taking our courses (our headcount has reached 7,317). Our resident FTES figures are also up by three percent from Spring 2025 to Spring 2026.
Laney College served as a Bronze-level sponsor of the Oakland Chinatown 34th Lunar New Year Bazaar, celebrating the Year of the Horse on January 31–February 1, 2026. The two-day community festival featured lion dances, live entertainment, food, art, and family-friendly activities in Oakland’s Chinatown.
College of Alameda is observing Black History Month with a series of thoughtfully designed events that center on education, culture, reflection, and community connection. A highlight of the month was The Rich Blend: Black Excellence, Freshly Brewed, held on February 3, 2026, which was well attended by students, faculty, staff, and members of the broader community.
The Berkeley City College Humanities Program is partnering with The New Parkway Theater to present 100 Years of Movies with Berkeley City College, showcasing classic films every Monday night through the month of February.
We are excited to share that Merritt College’s Child Development Department is implementing the Child Development ECE Spanish Pilot Program to improve educational access, retention, and completion for Spanish-speaking and bilingual students.
Laney College hosted a Fall 2025 art exhibition featuring students from Oakland Unified School District’s Young Adult Program (YAP), transforming the Tower Lobby into a vibrant gallery space through December 12. The exhibition showcased work from Frederico Alvarado’s Fundamentals of Painting course and highlighted the creativity, growth, and expressive voices of participating students.
