NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Spencer Moore o (510) 466-7369, c (415) 317-7100 spencermoore@peralta.edu

OAKLAND, Calif. (Dec. 4, 2018) – Peralta Colleges Foundation has announced LaNiece Jones as its new executive director. Since its inception in 1971, the Peralta Colleges Foundation has enhanced the intellectual, cultural, and educational needs of students, faculty and staff, by providing scholarships, supporting the professional development of faculty and staff, and fostering innovation in the educational programs at the Peralta Community College District (PCCD), which includes Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, and Laney and Merritt colleges in Oakland, Calif. Contributions to a Peralta Colleges Foundation Career Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship Fund are pivotal in creating meaningful opportunities for students of all ages, including helping undocumented, underprivileged and homeless students achieve their dreams.

“We are thrilled to welcome LaNiece as the Foundation’s new executive director and are confident that her unique leadership and business experience, combined with her proven knowledge of the multicultural communities of the East Bay will help bring exciting partnerships, initiatives and solutions to the Foundation’s work,” said Sbeydeh Viveros-Walton, president, board of directors, Peralta Colleges Foundation.”LaNiece’s ability to build strong relationships and her passion for the mission of the Peralta Colleges will help the Foundation impact even more students and nurture future leaders.”

Jones joins the Foundation after running her own Oakland-based marketing public relations and events firm, L.A. Jones & Associates, founded in 1991 and specializing in organizational strategy, electoral campaigns and community organizing. She also spent more than 15 years working in corporate sales and marketing roles at Businessland, CNET, Citicorp, IBM, and AT&T/Comcast.

“LaNiece will be an outstanding leader for the Foundation, and a dynamic partner as we work to advance the District’s key priorities and initiatives focused on providing accessible, high quality higher education and career training,” said Dr. Jowel Laguerre, chancellor, Peralta Community College District, and executive secretary, board of directors, Peralta Colleges Foundation. “Her extensive fundraising experience and entrepreneurial drive will be an important asset to both the Foundation and the entire District moving forward.”

An Oakland native, Jones attended Oakland public schools, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from California State University, East Bay and Master’s degree in social entrepreneurship & change from Pepperdine University. She is passionate about designing programs, events and initiatives to increase the efficiency and productivity for social business, social enterprises and community organizations. Jones’ particular interest is supporting black women to be authentic leaders and building coalitions to empower the community-atlarge for economic success. Earlier this year, the 100 Black Women of the Bay Area honored her with the Madame CJ. Walker Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Jones has served as executive director for Black Women Organized for Political Action/Training Institute for Leadership Development (BWOPA/TILE) since 1995, and is the president of BWOPA’s Oakland/Berkeley/Hayward/South County Chapter. She is also a past president of Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club (MGO), an appointed member on the KQED Community Advisory Panel, and a new initiate member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Xi Gamma Omega Chapter (Oakland).

“I’m excited to join the Foundation and help develop public-private partnerships that can ensure that Peralta students have the expectations, resources, and skills to complete college and embark on a successful career,” said Jones, executive director, Peralta College Foundation. “My wish is for businesses and benefactors to join us in supporting students, especially in underserved communities, pursuing their dream job in a career of their choosing. Together, was can guarantee our community colleges continue to remain an important part of the fabric of Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, and the other fine communities of northern Alameda County.”

The Peralta Community College District helps fuel the economic engine of greater East Bay, supplying the region with a trained workforce in essential fields such as nursing, automotive technology, office administration, mechanics, bio-manufacturing, bookkeeping, carpentry, food service and restaurant management, to name a few. This workforce helps build and maintain a vibrant, economically diverse region that meets the present and future needs.

For more information about how to support Peralta students by making a tax-deductible donation, visit www.peraltafoundation.org or contact LaNiece Jones, executive director, Peralta Colleges Foundation at (510) 587-7890 or ljones@peralta.edu

About the Peralta Colleges Foundation: The Peralta Colleges Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit auxiliary to the Peralta Community College District. The Peralta Colleges Foundation supports academic excellence and success throughout the Peralta Community College District by building partnerships in the region to raise funds for scholarships to committed students and financial support to the four colleges that comprise the district. Nearly 89 percent of Peralta students qualify for financial aid with only 47 percent of the applicants receiving scholarship support. To learn more about the Peralta Colleges Foundation, visit www.peraltafoundation.org/donate.

About the Peralta Community College District: Founded in 1964, the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) is a collaborative community of colleges comprised of Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, and Laney and Merritt colleges in Oakland, Calif. The Peralta Colleges provide a dynamic multicultural learning environment offering accessible, high-quality educational programs and services, including two-year degrees, certificates and university transfer programs, to more than 35,000 students. PCCD is home to award-winning Peralta TV (Comcast ch. 27/28, AT&T ch. 99) and public radio KGPC 96.5 FM. To learn more about The Peralta Colleges, visit www.peralta.edu