72 High School Students & Families Launch a Summer of Career Exploration
On June 12, 2025, the Peralta Community College District proudly welcomed 72 high school students and their families to the first-ever in-person Peralta Summer Institute Orientation, hosted at the Bistro at Laney College. This vibrant kickoff marks the beginning of a transformative six-week journey focused on career exploration, college readiness, and hands-on learning
Out of 77 high school students invited from across Alameda County (excluding OUSD), nearly all attended—many bringing parents along for the experience. The strong turnout reflects the dedication and enthusiasm of our local youth and their families, eager to jumpstart their future.
The orientation featured a warm welcome from Peralta leadership, including:
-
Dr. Rebecca Opsata, President, Laney College
-
Chris Lewis, Interim Vice President of Instruction, Berkeley City College
-
Eva Jennings, Dean of Career and Workforce Education, College of Alameda
From the left: Laney President Dr. Rebecca Opsata, Peralta Summer Institute Coordinator Dr. Rona Zollinger, BCC Interim Vice President Chris Lewis, College of Alameda Dean Eva Jennings
Peralta Summer Institute Coordinator, Dr. Rona Zollinger led students in a dynamic team-building activity, where participants tackled a mini challenge together—setting the tone for a summer filled with collaboration, creativity, and college-level experiences.
This milestone event represents a growing partnership between Peralta Colleges, Oakland Unified School District, and the Alameda County Office of Education to create equitable pathways to higher education and skilled careers for local high school students.
About the Summer Institute at Laney College
Laney College’s Career Education Division is offering a powerful lineup of free, hands-on summer programs designed specifically for high school students. These 6-week courses, running from June 16 – July 25, give students a chance to:
-
Explore real career options
-
Build new skills in high-demand fields
-
Experience college life and earn college credit
-
Strengthen college applications for UC/CSU schools
-
Connect with peers who share their interests
Incoming 9th graders are also eligible, and best of all—the programs are completely FREE.
🔗 Learn more about Laney’s Summer Institute Programs --->>>
📩 Questions? Email us at laney-cte@peralta.edu
Current Programs in Session at Laney College
-
Intro to Computer Programming
-
Hack the Hood: Summer 2025 Program
-
MC3 Summer Construction Pre-Apprenticeship
-
STEMCore Summer Bridge Program
Laney College is proud to be a launching pad for the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Stay tuned as these students continue their journey this summer—and beyond.
