Organizing for America California to Highlight Impact of Education Reforms in the Bay Area

12 April 2009, Oakland, CA – Organizing for America-California will hold a press conference at Laney College at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, April 13 to spotlight how the student loan reform recently signed into law by President Obama will reduce higher education costs for students in the Bay Area. Organizing for America-California representatives, students and administrators from the Peralta Community College District and UC Berkeley will discuss how the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act – and the continued support of President Obama – will ensure the next generation of America’s leaders has the necessary tools to succeed.

Bay Area students will share their personal stories about the current student loan system: Esteem Brumfield became homeless after he was discouraged from applying for student loans; and Jurena Storm, her husband and children struggle to make ends meet as they try to pay for her education. (more…)

April 12th, 2010 | Category: News Release

Multi-Year Roadmap Already Impacting Local Workforce

Special to The Oakland Tribune

By Elñora Tena Webb, Ph.D., Laney College Acting President

April 2010, Oakland, CA – Last year, at the age of 46, Jeff Lovelady found himself unemployed for the first time in his adult life. A journeyman carpenter, Jeff had worked for years framing houses and working with his hands. Now, as the economy collapsed and construction ground to a halt, Jeff’s tools sat idle and his prospects looked bleak.

Then Jeff came upon Laney College’s renewable energy certificate program, a first-of-its-kind curriculum designed to train students for the Bay Area’s burgeoning solar power industry. After a semester of coursework, learning new skills in an emerging technology, Jeff didn’t even get a chance to look for another job. A job found him. He’s now installing solar systems throughout the Bay Area for a fast-growing local startup.

Jeff’s story is what makes Laney College such an important place for East Bay students and businesses. Programs like this have the power to transform lives and fuel economic growth. In the years to come, Laney plans to help create thousands more stories just like his. (more…)

April 1st, 2010 | Category: News Release

29 March 2010, Oakland, CA – The Associated Students of Laney College (ASLC) have invited a group of extraordinary East Bay women to participate in a panel discussion on the topic of leadership, in celebration of Women’s History Month. This free event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 30th from 12 – 1 p.m. on the 4th Floor of the Student Center at Laney College in Oakland.

Nancy Nadel, Oakland City Council Member, District 3, Dr. Elnora Webb, Acting President of Laney College, Leslie Ewing, Executive Director, Pacific Center, Dr. Inger Stark, Chair of the Sociology Department and Acting Dean, and Dr. Angela Smith, Chair of the Communications Department will field questions from the Women’s History Month Committee members, such as “What challenges do you, or women in general still face in your/their communities, who has been the most influential or inspirational woman in your life and together and how can women break the glass ceiling and enrich the lives of women not only in our community but in the world?”.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the panelists will receive Certificates of Appreciation. (more…)

March 29th, 2010 | Category: News Release