MISSION
The mission of the PCF Alumni Association is to strengthen ties between the Peralta Colleges, their alumni and partners. It serves as a support to further the ideals and interests of the Peralta Colleges Foundation’s programs, and is dedicated to fostering lifelong relationships with Berkeley City College (formerly Vista College), College of Alameda, Laney College, Merritt College (formerly Oakland City College), its alumni and partners.
About the
PCF
Alumni Association
To better serve the alumni of the Peralta Community College District, the Alumni Association is an all-inclusive program for every alum. The Alumni Association intends to foster lifelong relationships with Peralta alumni while giving back to the four colleges that comprise the district and supporting student success through scholarships and faculty grants.
Membership benefits include:
- * Quarterly Alumni E-Newsletter
- * Invitations to Alumni events
- * Maintain your campus email account
Give Back
As a Peralta Colleges alum, you are a valued member of the Peralta community. Your participation is important in helping the Peralta Colleges Foundation remain successful and continue our mission of raising funds for student scholarships and faculty grants that enhance the intellectual, cultural and educational needs of our students, faculty, staff and the communities in which they work.
The amount that you contribute is not what matters; it is your participation that counts. You’re one in a million, and there are as many reasons to donate as there are Peralta alumni. If every alumnus gave just one dollar, you could make a substantial impact on the future of the Peralta District and its students. Start your giving today.
STAY INFORMED: GET UPDATES
Your PCCD Alumni Association provides services and programs to promote your professional development and to help you stay connected to each other and the colleges. For more information, contact pfalumni@peralta.edu
WE ARE PERALTA PROUD
Meet Shana Shay, proud Peralta alum and currently, a UC Berkeley undergrad who is working to dismantle barriers to academic and economic opportunities for formerly incarcerated students.
“Eventually, I want to be able to pay the students like an internship that leads to admission into a college. I see it as a crucial investment in the future. Their lives are too important to waste. As a Berkeley student going to school, raising my kids and doing this type of work, I feel like there should be people that are way more educated than me doing this, and Berkeley should be creating space for more institutional support for programs like ours.”
Vernita Naylor is a proud alum of the Peralta Colleges, who later attended UC Berkeley, where she earned a certificate in Construction Project Management. One of Vernita’s fondest memories of Peralta Community College District was that there were so many colleges to choose from within the system: from Berkeley to Alameda, and Laney to Merritt (she attended each!). To Vernita, each location offered a different experience: from student life, and teaching styles to each campus’ diverse environment. These elements created an excellent environment for learning, growth, and connecting in so many ways that have been instrumental to her career and life.
“I am proud to have started my higher education journey in the Peralta Community College system.” Kim attended Merritt and Laney, receiving her Associates in Health Science in preparation for her Nursing degree and career.
Kim is also a graduate of the Nursing Leaders Program at the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. ‘It wasn’t just a flag or a sticker,” she explains. ‘“It was an intentional commitment and a serious partnership to make sure everyone had an opportunity to be at the table.”
“I am proud to have started my higher education journey in the Peralta Community College system.” Kim attended Merritt and Laney, receiving her Associates in Health Science in preparation for her Nursing degree and career.
Kim is also a graduate of the Nursing Leaders Program at the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. ‘It wasn’t just a flag or a sticker,” she explains. ‘“It was an intentional commitment and a serious partnership to make sure everyone had an opportunity to be at the table.”
“I am proud to have started my higher education journey in the Peralta Community College system.” Kim attended Merritt and Laney, receiving her Associates in Health Science in preparation for her Nursing degree and career.
Kim is also a graduate of the Nursing Leaders Program at the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. ‘It wasn’t just a flag or a sticker,” she explains. ‘“It was an intentional commitment and a serious partnership to make sure everyone had an opportunity to be at the table.”
Marco Lindsey is a Diversity First ™ certified diversity, equity, & inclusion and belonging leader with deep expertise in human resources, community activism, and anti-racism. His extensive experience advising executives, coaching leaders, managers and employees, and designing & implementing HR solutions across both the public and private sector.
Marco has worked as the Associate Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. He was the first African American Chief of Staff at Berkeley Haas, and he is also an alumni of the school’s Executive Education program.
Victor Flores, Laney College ‘20, is an East Bay political strategist, housing, climate policy and criminal justice reform advocate.
Over the last three years, Victor has worked for two Oakland City council members and worked on multiple local campaigns. In addition to his work in public service, Victor has also served on various boards such as the Alameda County Community Corrections Partnership Community Advisory Board, Fruitvale Latino Task Force, Resilient Fruitvale Oakland Latino Chamber of Commerce, Latino Young Democrats of the East Bay, and East Bay Young Democrats.
Chef LaLa Harrison, chef and entrepreneur. A 2012 graduate of Laney College’s Culinary Arts Program, Chef LaLa has been part of the Oakland food scene, having worked at Angela’s Bistro, Brown Sugar Kitchen, Lake Chalet, and as sous chef for more than five years at Flora.
The past three years, this Laney alumnae has successfully run her own catering business, JusLa Eats Catering.
Sheng graduated from Merritt College in 2010 as valedictorian, which paved the way for her to transfer to the University of California, Berkeley and jumpstart a career in politics.
Though Sheng had long dreamed of running for office, she had not anticipated running for a city council seat in 2018, and only did so at the encouragement of colleagues and community members. As the current Councilwoman for Oakland’s District 4, she is proud to represent the Hmong-American community and to serve the city in which she has built her career.
Kadeef uses to characterize College of Alameda. When asked how he would describe his experience at College of Alameda, he said that it’s better than he expected and he would recommend it to others. According to Kadeef, it was the small class sizes and close relationships with teachers that made his first year of college a great experience. “I have received an exceptional education,” said Kadeef. “My experience and education at College of Alameda has been top-tier.”
After graduating from Berkeley City College with a 3.86 Grade Point Average (GPA) and an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts, Serena studied at the University of California, Berkeley where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Currently, Serena is entering her second year at the University of California Hastings College of Law. This fall semester, Serena will study abroad at the Waseda Law School in Tokyo, Japan.
“The biggest lesson Peralta taught me was to Network. Networking is so important on all levels, after you graduate it is truly who you know not what you know and Peralta helped me understand that. The best advice I could give to any student entering the Peralta Colleges is to Network network network. You won’t regret it!”
“When I got to Oakland, I knew that I was not going to just look for a job and make a few dollars,” Lolo said, now studying political science at the University of California, Berkeley. “The better education you have the better job you can get, and the kind of work I wanted to do required an education.”
“The lessons I value most from Laney and Alameda are about the importance of remembering your roots, remembering to take that education that transforms you and give back to the community- and make it better for the next generation after you. “
