Happy Holidays from President Richardson

As the Fall 2023 semester comes to a close, I wanted to celebrate our accomplishments and wish you a restful, joyful, and warm holiday break. The past year has been eventful at Berkeley City College and the Peralta Community College District. I wanted to share my appreciation for your unwavering service to students and each other as we look to build on our successes and tackle our challenges.

Fall 2023 was the strongest semester for enrollment since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, with BCC leading in meeting its goals for Full Time Enrolled Students and productivity among the four PCCD colleges. The collective work of BCC’s esteemed faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and student workers was crucial to achieving this goal. I admire all of your continued energy and contributions in outreach, retention, and service to students. Those qualities are reflected in the awards and recognitions BCC received over the year – being named an Equity Champion for the sixth year in a row by the Campaign for College Opportunity, being awarded our second HSI Title V grant “Adelante,” and becoming a CVC Teaching College with the most quality badged courses of any Peralta College, to name a few.

I’m looking forward to continuing to build on these accomplishments as we begin achieving the goals of Equitable Student Completion laid out in BCC’s 2023-2028 Educational Master Plan. I would like to recognize the work of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee as we draft actionable ways that Berkeley City College can close equity gaps, build strong community partnerships, and closely examine data to prepare for continued growth and changes in our environment. I’m also looking forward to celebrating the history of Berkeley City College as our 50th Anniversary is on the very near horizon. It was so wonderful kicking off the cheer at our Holiday Party last week. It was amazing to see you all show your spirit for BCC and each other.

With that, I would like to share my appreciation for the support and kindness you have shown me during my first 6 months at BCC. I am honored to work with you, to hear your stories of helping students and each other, and to see and feel the commitment to Berkeley City College’s diversity and excellence in transforming the lives of our students. I wish you all a holiday filled with happiness, warmth, and sparkling moments with loved ones and friends, and I look forward to being in community with you in the new year.

Warmly,

Denise Richardson, Ed.D.

President, Berkeley City College

Vote on the Name of BCC’s New Building!

 

(Friday, November 4, 2022) Berkeley City College is preparing to expand its presence with a new campus extension in Downtown Berkeley. We are excited to begin this new phase for the future of Berkeley City College, and we need your help! Check out the survey below to give your thoughts on the name of the new building, as well as the look and feel of the signage outside the campus.   

We appreciate your support and feedback in shaping how we present Berkeley City College to the community! 

For more information on the project and past presentations, visit https://build.peralta.edu/berkeley-city-college. 

 

Berkeley City College Campus Extension Town Hall

(Friday, September 9, 2022) On Tuesday, August 30th, Berkeley City College held a town hall meeting updating the community about the progress of the 2118 Milvia Campus extension. The meeting was hosted by Vice President of Administrative Services Sean Brooks and construction consultants Excel Construction Services, Ratcliff Construction, and Kitchell Corporation. The presentation included a schedule of construction and completion, with a projected move-in date in late 2024. Construction consultants displayed exterior renderings and floor plans. They also opened the floor to questions and comments, allowing administrators, faculty, classified staff, and students in attendance to provide feedback on the building name, marquee colors, spaces for art and décor, and safety concerns.  

Target dates for demolition and construction remain in November/December of this year. Berkeley City College is excited by the speed at which this project has moved through the design phase and the transparency we’ve shown to the campus community and the city at large. We look forward to expanding our footprint in Berkeley and growing our operations to better suit the needs of the community we serve. 

View the slideshow presentation here.

For more information on the project and past presentations, visit https://build.peralta.edu/berkeley-city-college. 

Fall 2022 Enrollment Workshops at BCC

The Fall 2022 Semester is just around the corner at Berkeley City College, classes start August 22nd!We’re here to answer all of your questions about enrollment, financial aid, registration, and more! BCC is hosting a series of workshops and express registration workshops to help you complete your academic goals! Check it out: 

ENROLLMENT WORKSHOPS:

If you haven’t enrolled yet and want information and support to apply, or if you have enrolled but need technical support with registration, accessing email, and other troubleshooting questions , join one of our Fall Enrollment workshops on campus. 

Time  On Campus (BCC Room 126) 
10am – 12pm  Thursday, August 11 
10am – 12pm  Monday, August 15 
10am – 12pm  Monday, August 22 
10am – 12pm  Thursday, August 25 

 

 EXPRESS ENROLLMENT:

 

Express Registration will be hosted in-person at the BCC 1st floor beginning August 15th. By attending these events, you will be able to meet all of our Student Services staff to support you with enrollment, financial aid and registration. Meet our financial aid staff, counselors, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) staff, Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) staff, and Society of Scholars learning communities.  The workshops will be hosted Monday through Thursday from 2:30 pm – 4:30pm on the following dates: 

On Campus (BCC 1ST floor)
2:30pm- 4:30pm
Monday, August 15
Tuesday, August 16
Wednesday, August 17
Thursday, August 18
Monday, August 22
Tuesday, August 23
Wednesday, August 24
Thursday, August 25
 Monday, August 29
Tuesday, August 30
 Wednesday, August 31
 Thursday, September 1

Want to learn more?  Contact BCC’s Enrollment Staff: 

Enrollment Services Coordinator, Gail Pendleton. 

Enrollment Program Specialist, Christine Trowbridge 

 

BCC to be Featured in a New Book Publishing in June!

Berkeley, CA (March 24, 2022) It’s our pleasure to announce that Berkeley City College will be profiled in a forthcoming book titled The Community College: The Pursuit of Democracy, Economic Development, and Success by Robert L. Pura and Tara L. Parker (Stylus Publishing, AAC&U). The book examines the ways community colleges serve as a catalyst for social and economic mobility, fulfilling the promise to provide educational opportunities for all who seek it. The authors visited Berkeley City College, along with four other community colleges across the nation, to meet with faculty, staff, administrators, and students documenting ways their institutions are fighting for economic and social justice and democracy.
 
Berkeley City College is honored to be highlighted for our work serving our community. “Berkeley City College has a rich history of community engagement, rooted in the fundamental college mission ‘to provide our diverse community with educational opportunities, promote student success, and to transform lives,'” said President Angélica Garcia. “We partner with students as they pursue their career and academic goals in a community environment that values equity, racial justice, and equitable student outcomes. I am honored that BCC was included in this book and recognized for its commitment to serve as the community’s college.”
 
“The participation of the Berkeley City College Community in this work will help to shed light on the important role that community colleges play in helping to build a democracy with a more civically engaged population,” said Berkeley City College Academic Senate President Matthew Freeman. “As a first-generation college graduate, community college alumni, and President of the BCC Academic Senate, I was personally honored to have been included in the work of helping to tell our story.”
 
A recent article published on the AAC&U (American Association of Colleges & Universities) website previews the forthcoming book, which will be published in June 2022. It’s available for preorder through Stylus Publishing and other major booksellers. Check it out to learn more about how Berkeley City College serves its mission to transform lives in our community!
 

Welcome Week Spring 2022!

Berkeley City College is kicking off the Spring 2022 semester with two weeks of fun and activities! Check out the details below:

 

  • Monday January 24th 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.: Join us for free coffee and pastries all day provided by Paris Baguette.
  • Tuesday, January 25th and Wednesday, January 26th 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm.: In-Person Express Registration to address any last minute questions and needs! 
  • Wednesday, January 26th 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Take your Photo ID on Picture Day! Update: Student IDs will now be available starting Monday, January 31st.
  • Monday, January 31st 12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.:  BCC Welcome Celebration – Join us as we celebrate the start of Spring semester. The celebration will be kicked-off by BCC President Garcia and followed by a healing circle to honor the impact and those we have lost in the pandemic. This event is in-person and on Zoom.
  • Tuesday, February 1st 12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.: Virtual Campus Resource Fair – Learn how BCC can support YOU! Explore different campus departments and resources like Financial aid, the Learning Resource Center, Campus Life, and more on ZOOM!
  • Wednesday, February 2nd 12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.: Bienvenida a BCC! See our beautiful campus and learn more about BCC resources as we tour and meet people here to support YOU in your journey. This event is in-person and on Zoom.
  • Thursday, February 3rd 12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.: Come party and celebrate the start of the semester! Play games, connect with your BCC fam, and win prizes! Event held on Zoom.

In-Person Services now offered at Berkeley City College!

We’re gearing up for the start of the Spring 2022 semester and Berkeley City College is providing IN-PERSON services on campus starting this week!

The Admissions and Records, Counseling and Financial Aid offices will be open this week to answer your questions and guide you through the processes leading up to the start of class on January 24th, 2022. 

Hours of operation:

Admission and Records

  • Tuesday & Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Financial Aid

  • Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Counseling

Make an appointment here.

  • Monday-Thursday 8:30 – 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday- 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m

You will need to show the Campus Shield green screen to enter the building. Students should use the Campus Shield app to answer screening questions for campus access. For help with the Campus Shield app, check the Student FAQ HERE. Instructions for the mobile app are available HERE while instructions for the desktop app are available HERE. The screening questions for daily access are available HERE. This will be good practice for the first day of school to ensure you’re aware of the process to quickly enter the building and get to your class!

 

We’re so excited for the Spring 2022 semester. We look forward to seeing you. 

 

In Community, 

Berkeley City College