Success Stories
Peralta Student Named to 2011 All-USA Academic Team
Last April, Cassandra Beverly made a special journey to New Orleans to publicly accept her place on the USA TODAY 21st annual All-USA Community College Academic Team. She is the first Peralta student to ever earn this honor and was among the few California community college students on the team.
Attending college seemed daunting to Cassandra, a single working first generation college student. Cassandra grew up in East Oakland and graduated from Castlemont High School, and was the first in her family to graduate from high school. She enrolled at Merritt College and proceeded cautiously to build her confidence. Cassandra found that she loved learning and it motivated her to try harder and set goals for herself.
Others recognized her leadership and keen intellect, including Barbara Dimopoulos, Phi Theta Kappa advisor for the Beta Theta Lambda chapter at Merritt College. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the international honor society for the 2-year colleges and a student must have at least a 3.25 G.P.A. to belong.
"I chose to attend Merritt College because I wanted to attend a school that was affordable and supported women like myself," she recalls. "I found all of that and more at the Peralta Colleges."
Jurena plans to attend the University of California, Davis next fall and major in political science and public service.
The All-USA Community College Academic Team presented by USA TODAY, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa and sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group, honors outstanding two-year college students. A panel of judges selected the 20 member team from more than 1,600 students nominated by 800 community colleges, considering grades, leadership, activities and, most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.
Three other Peralta Community College District students made the All-California Team: Dulguun Bayaraa, Berkeley City College; Jurena Storm, College of Alameda; and Harold Woodard; Merritt College. Read more about them on the Chancellor's Trophy page.
