Join US Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Peralta Chancellor Jowel C. Laguerre, Ph.D., and Merritt College President Norma Ambriz-Galaviz for the grand opening of the Barbara Lee Science and Allied Health Center this Friday at Merritt College. The Peralta Colleges will unveil the region’s newest health and allied sciences building, which will allow facility to have the tools they need to provide state of the art science/technology instruction to our students.
A letter from President Obama acknowledging the grand opening will be read as part of the ceremonies and tours of the facility by science faculty and students will be provided. Join in at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. The event is free and open to the public!
What: Grand Opening of the Barbara Lee Health and Allied Science Building, one the most advanced facilities in the region.
When: Friday, November 6, 2015, 11:30 AM
Where: Merritt College, 12500 Campus Drive, Oakland, CA 94619
Who: US Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Peralta CDD Chancellor Jowel C. Laguerre, Ph.D., Merritt College President Norma Ambriz-Galaviz
Background: With over 60,000 square feet of dedicated space for science and technology, the Barbara Lee Health and Science building, located at Merritt College, will be the region’s newest epicenter for innovation in science and technology.
As part of the Peralta Community College District’s commitment to provide access to the region’s student population, in addition to the District’s student population, the health and science building will be made available to local high school students. Merritt College has developed a concurrent enrollment program with local high schools where students will be able to enroll in academic courses at the college.
The Barbara Lee Science and Allied Health Center is a new four story building, totaling approximately 110,000 square feet. The majority of the building is dedicated to programs in the Sciences and Allied Health but additionally includes Mathematics and Business Technology as well. Each department area has been designed to not only anticipate but to encourage growth within each field for the future of the Merritt Campus.
This architectural design of this building and the state of the art equipment chosen for this facility was established to essentially have something for everyone. To accomplish this the design was aimed at achieving a number of goals, in particular enhancing the student learning environment, promoting the growth of the departments and energizing the campus as a whole.
As the theme of this building is for the Sciences and Allied Heath, There is a specialized screen that goes across the south and west face of the building. The basis of this screen is derived from Mitochondria DNA. Mitochondria DNA, or mtDNA, is distinct from general human DNA, as they are the structures within human cells that convert food to energy in useful form. The twenty-eight screen panels are a graphic representations of the mtDNA sequence that is almost identical in every human being.
In theme with the building, the exposed spiral staircase in the center of the building has been designed as a double-helix staircase to mirror the graphic representation of the mtDNA screen and to show case both formats scientist look at DNA.
At various locations throughout the building, there are a number of public common areas for students and faculty to freely interact. These common areas have an open environment within the building to encourage active learning in an environment that is not limited to just the classroom, but in their day to day life interactions.
The state of the art technology and furniture included in this building was specifically chosen to again enhance the learning environment for students and faculty. This ranges from interactive projectors in each classroom and lab, top of the line equipment specifically chosen by each department, and even to the student desks and chairs with the adjustability for left and right handed students.
Read more about the science programs offered at Merritt College here: Barbara Lee Center Program Descriptions 10-28-15
Dr. Norma Ambriz-Galaviz has served since 2008 as Vice President of Instruction for Mission College of the West Valley Mission Community College District. Dr. Ambriz-Galaviz was employed for 17 years at Chabot College, Hayward, California, and she also worked at Cabrillo and Hartnell Community Colleges holding various academic and student services positions, from psychology instructor, counselor, Special Student Services Dean to Social Sciences Division Dean.
Dr. Edward Bush currently serves as the Vice President of Student Services for Riverside City College. He has over 18 years of experience in higher education with 15 of those years with the Riverside Community College District. He has served as an associate faculty member in student activities, Director of the Educational Talent Search federal TRIO grant, and Dean of Student Services. In addition, he has served on numerous college and district-wide committees and has been active with several community organizations including serving on the board for two non-profit foundations. Dr. Bush has also worked as an adjunct instructor for the Graduate School of Education at the University of Redlands and is currently an adjunct instructor at Brandman University. Dr. Bush has taught courses in student development, organizational theory, and research.
Dr. Marie-Elaine Burns has served as the Vice President of Student Affairs at San Jose City College for the last seven years. She is a native Californian, born in San Mateo and raised in the San Francisco.
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