
The Citizen observed conflicting information during last semester's student body election. When we tried to get more information, we were met with unanswered calls, wrong numbers, and voicemails.
Tamara Copes, Staff Writer • October 16, 2025
During the Spring 2025 semester, 21,555 students were enrolled at Peralta Community College District, according to data from Peralta's communications spokesman Mark Johnson. Only 523 participated in student elections. That’s 2.4% of the student population.

For Alexandra Tejeda Rieloff, it all began with a dance class.
Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor • September 26, 2025
Alexandra Tejeda Rieloff has lived her life immersed in the arts. She's a multidisciplinary artist, with decades devoted to each craft. She’s a dancer, a choreographer, and an actor, a producer, a director, and a photographer. Now, she’s a lounge singer with residencies all over San Francisco.

The district will test its emergency communication systems with a mock earthquake incident on Thursday morning.
Desmond Meagley, Editor in Chief • October 14, 2025
The Peralta Community College District will initiate an emergency drill Thursday at 10:16 a.m. as part of an international earthquake preparedness...

The Native American Health Center has served everyone who walked through their doors in San Francisco and Oakland for over 50 years.
Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor • October 13, 2025
The sky was nearly cloudless at Merritt College campus on Sept. 27, the Saturday after the 2025 California Native American Day. Warm sun beamed down on the jewelers and dancers and volunteers as they prepared for the fourth annual Native American Health Center (NAHC) Powwow.

The Citizen breaks down what is currently known about the district’s transformation plan, including the creation of dedicated "taskforces" and a glimpse into the proposed timeline for the “unification" of Merritt and Laney.
Ivan Saravia, News Editor • October 8, 2025
The Citizen breaks down what is currently known about the district’s transformation plan, including the creation of dedicated "taskforces" and a glimpse into the proposed timeline for the “unification" of Merritt and Laney.

The event aims to bring community members of all ages together, while fundraising for the Peralta Colleges Foundation.
Feven Mamo, Staff Writer • October 7, 2025
Merritt College will host the Peralta Community College District’s inaugural Peralta Pumpkin Pursuit 5K run/walk on Oct. 18.

Every Tuesday morning, Tom Branca and his students gather far from Merritt College’s campus in the Oakland hills to the heart of Lake Merritt.
Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor • October 6, 2025
The class works on a slightly different schedule than the Peralta Community College District’s semester system. According to Branca, students take a break around the December holidays, and resume their work before the semester officially starts in January or beyond when it ends in May.

Faculty concerns, as well as horticulture hopes, broached during public comment
Reid Haataja, Staff Writer • October 5, 2025
Representatives from each college in the Peralta Community College District gave a presentation highlighting programs designed to support student success to the district’s Board of Trustees during the Sept. 23 study session at Merritt College. The presentation examined the efforts and results of programs focused on meeting the needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black and African American, and Latinx students.

The Citizen is Peralta’s only student-run news publication. We serve all four colleges as a watchdog. Just like professional newsrooms, we take accurate reporting very seriously.
Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor • October 4, 2025
Over the summer, The Citizen received multiple emails that claimed we had published libelous articles. The authors of the emails alleged they were reaching out on behalf of their client, Tim Thomas, Peralta Community College District’s former Executive Director of Public Safety.

Students will be able to pay a one time fee per semester to travel from all four Peralta colleges
Dustin Chu, Staff Writer • September 29, 2025
The shuttle bus program will start with limited service on Dec. 1, while full implementation will begin at the start of the 2026 Spring semester.

Uncertainty over pending college merger, an EEO analysis of Peralta's underrepresented Latinx faculty population, and Peralta gets new tech
Tamara Copes, Staff Writer • September 29, 2025
The Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees met for a regular board meeting at the district office on Sept. 9. Trustees heard discussions around the annual Equal Employment Opportunity certification form, updates for student government appointments, and the district's acquisition of updated technology.

For Alexandra Tejeda Rieloff, it all began with a dance class.
Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor • September 26, 2025
Alexandra Tejeda Rieloff has lived her life immersed in the arts. She's a multidisciplinary artist, with decades devoted to each craft. She’s a dancer, a choreographer, and an actor, a producer, a director, and a photographer. Now, she’s a lounge singer with residencies all over San Francisco.

A new kiln is igniting enthusiasm among Laney College ceramics students.
Erik Bracken, Staff Writer • September 24, 2025
STOKED brings together 36 nationally recognized artists from around the country to celebrate a new wood-fired kiln at Laney College, which was constructed entirely by Laney students. The diverse array of pieces in the exhibition each have one thing in common: they are all products of wood-firing.

The program supplies students with materials, grants, food vouchers, and a safe community.
Romi Bales, Copy Editor • September 19, 2025
College of Alameda’s SALAAM program is a learning community that aims to uplift Arab, Southwest Asian and North African students. Through SALAAM, CoA students in need can receive classroom materials, food vouchers, assistance with transportation costs, early access to class registration, and more.

Public comments focused on district security and a new payment schedule for campus facility rentals.
The Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees convened for their first meeting of the 2025 Fall semester on Aug. 26. During public comment, the board heard representatives for Service Employees International Union (SEIU) voice grievances on behalf of security workers and discussion of a new rental fees schedule for campus facilities.

Courses about the American labor movement are few in number at the Peralta Community College District – across all four schools, the district currently offers just one eight-week class about labor history through Laney College.
Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor • September 1, 2025
Monday marks 131 years of Labor Day, as observed in the United States and Canada. Courses about the American labor movement are few in number...

In her FLEX day address, Gilkerson said the colleges may become “Oakland City College” in a move to “prune” and grow the district
Ivan Saravia, News Editor • August 15, 2025
Peralta Community College District Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson announced Thursday that she will recommend that the Board of Trustees approve a merger between Laney College and Merritt College. Her announcement came during a staff development day for Peralta district personnel.

The Citizen is Peralta’s only student-run news publication. We serve all four colleges as a watchdog. Just like professional newsrooms, we take accurate reporting very seriously.
Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor • October 4, 2025
Over the summer, The Citizen received multiple emails that claimed we had published libelous articles. The authors of the emails alleged they were reaching out on behalf of their client, Tim Thomas, Peralta Community College District’s former Executive Director of Public Safety.
December 12, 2024
Ivan Saravia, Staff WriterDecember 11, 2024
Gabriela Garcia, Staff WriterDecember 11, 2024
Rym-Maya Kherbache, Staff WriterOctober 31, 2024
Sam O'Neil, Staff WriterOctober 17, 2024
The Citizen Staff

The Citizen observed conflicting information during last semester's student body election. When we tried to get more information, we were met with unanswered calls, wrong numbers, and voicemails.
Tamara Copes, Staff Writer • October 16, 2025

The district will test its emergency communication systems with a mock earthquake incident on Thursday morning.
Desmond Meagley, Editor in Chief • October 14, 2025

The Native American Health Center has served everyone who walked through their doors in San Francisco and Oakland for over 50 years.
Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor • October 13, 2025

The Citizen breaks down what is currently known about the district’s transformation plan, including the creation of dedicated "taskforces" and a glimpse into the proposed timeline for the “unification" of Merritt and Laney.
Ivan Saravia, News Editor • October 8, 2025
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Merritt College0Marin3Oct 10 / Men's Soccer
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Merritt College0Yuba0Oct 3 / Men's Soccer
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Merritt College3Woodland2Sep 30 / Men's Soccer
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Merritt College1San Joaquin Delta5Sep 26 / Men's Soccer
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Merritt College0Cañada6Sep 23 / Men's Soccer
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Merritt College2Foothill3Sep 19 / Men's Soccer
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Merritt College0Siskiyous4Sep 11 / Men's Soccer
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Merritt College3Ohlone5Sep 9 / Men's Soccer
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Merritt College2Chabot4Aug 29 / Men's Soccer
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Laney College14Foothill28Oct 10 / Men's Football
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Laney College17Santa Rosa24Sep 27 / Men's Football
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Laney College14Monterey Peninsula41Sep 19 / Men's Football
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Laney College44Shasta13Sep 13 / Men's Football
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Laney College30Butte38Sep 5 / Men's Football
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Laney College14Modesto40Aug 30 / Men's Football
- Student support programs highlighted at Sept. 23 Board of Trustees study sessionOctober 5, 2025
- Peralta set to launch campus shuttle service in DecemberSeptember 29, 2025
- Laney-Merritt merger “concerns” and EEO presentation at Sept. 9 Board of Trustees meetingSeptember 29, 2025
- Board hears union opposition during public comment and more at Aug. 26 Board meetingSeptember 9, 2025

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