![The Citizen Investigates: International Travel](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Travel-Story-e1721903440729-1200x800.png)
PCCD spends $87k on overseas trips yet F-1 student population declines
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Managing Editor • July 25, 2024
Peralta has yet to establish a process to evaluate the costs and benefits of funding international travel. We combed through travel receipts, international student data, and district policy to find out.
![As College of Alameda searches for a new president, The Citizen searched for one of the colleges former presidents. The late Jeanette Poore was the first woman to lead a community college in California.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PooreText-2-1200x800.png)
Romi Bales, Staff Writer • May 13, 2024
As College of Alameda searches for a new president, The Citizen searched for one of the college’s former presidents.
![Raymond Quan, one of two candidates turned down for the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources role, answers a question at his public forum.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PXL_20240626_193325892-1200x1000.jpg)
Andrea Epps tapped for interim VC of Human Resources
Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • July 21, 2024
PCCD Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson turned down two candidates for the position earlier this month.
![A blue phone in the Laney College parking lot. District officials are advising community members to take precaution in parking lot areas after a recent vehicle burglary.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_6822-e1720830697795-1200x801.jpeg)
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • July 12, 2024
An individual was inside the vehicle when the passenger window was broken into, according to the statement.
![PCCD offices. (Photo: Li Khan/The Citizen)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_6501-1200x900.jpeg)
District faces $11.2 million deficit
The district is facing a $11.2 million budget gap for the upcoming fiscal year.
![Students discuss their work in class at the MESA center at American River College on April 25, 2024. (Photo: Cristian Gonzalez/CalMatters)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/042524_ARCMESA_CG-06-1200x800.webp)
Li Khan, via CalMatters • July 9, 2024
A program for low-income, first-generation STEM students at community colleges is receiving millions of dollars to expand across the state.
![They conquered gloom and Zoom: 2024 college grads on what comes next](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/052024_Vy-Le_LA_CM_08-1200x800.webp)
Five college graduates reflect on their unique college experience and look forward to their early career plans.
![Breaking: PCCD appoints former San Leandro police chief to Interim Executive Director of Public Safety](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_9300.jpeg)
Abdul Pridgen will lead the district’s community-based safety program
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • June 21, 2024
Earlier this year, Pridgen left the San Leandro Police Department following an investigation against him.
![A cap at the Laney College commencement ceremony on May 24 reads in Spanish, This is for my mom who gave me everything. (Photo: Marcus Creel/PCCD)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Z625318-1200x798.jpg)
Romi Bales, Staff Writer • June 17, 2024
The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Board of Trustees convened on May 28 to bid a fond farewell to the school year. As the meeting...
![Greg Nelson to be Chief Operating Officer](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Greg-Nelson-Headshot-1-e1718425982919.jpg)
Nelson to be first COO since leadership restructure
Following a national search, the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) announced Thursday that Greg Nelson will serve in the permanent position...
![Abigail McMurry, Acting President of Associated Students of Laney College, spoke against last-minute class cancellations at the May 14 Board of Trustees meeting.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Abigail-McMurray-1200x800.jpeg)
Ian Waters, News Editor • June 1, 2024
A number of students and faculty spoke during public comment against last-minute class cancellations and module changes at PCCD.
![Merritt Librarian reimagines alebrijes sculptor’s life in new picture book](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pedro-and-the-Monster-Eater-1-899x1200.jpeg)
Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • May 30, 2024
Pixar fans may recognize the colorful creatures from the 2017 animated movie, Coco, but alebrijes have been a popular art form across the Americas for decades
![Melanie Dixon appointed CoA President](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Melanie-Dixon-1-e1716529606317.jpeg)
After two years of acting appointments, the College of Alameda will finally fill the presidency with a permanent hire this summer
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer • May 23, 2024
A former Sacramento college president will soon take the helm at the College of Alameda.
![CoAs next president is one of these three college leaders](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/F0A1383-1200x800.jpg)
Community feedback on the candidates is due midnight tonight
A former college president from Sacramento, a longtime community college administrator from Connecticut, and PCCD's own Rebecca Opsata are in the running for permanent College President of the College of Alameda.
![Armando Franco, BCCs new MESA Program Director, sits at his desk in a corner of the MESA center at BCC. The new program will offer support for low-income, first-generation students in STEM.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Armando-Franco-1200x800.jpg)
Armando Franco reflects on journey from first-generation college student to experienced mentor
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer • May 21, 2024
Armando Franco leads BCC's program for first-generation, low-income students in STEM. Like the students he guides, Franco is a first generation college graduate who once dreamed of a career in a STEM-related field.
![Staff Writer Desmond Meagley stands in the very spot where a security guard confronted him last month: the doorway of the men’s restroom in the Laney College Library. Meagley, who is transgender, tried to report the incident, but reached a dead end when an administrator told him he would need the security guard’s name.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_7788-1200x800.jpg)
Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • May 20, 2024
In light of recent news about the Nex Benedict case, Staff Writer Desmond Meagley decided to hold his school accountable for an incident of discriminatory harassment by campus security.
![Laney College Baseball held a naming ceremony April 26 for its stadium, now called the Tom Pearse Diamond. The name change was approved by the Peralta Board of Trustees at its April 23 meeting. (Photo: Marcus Creel/PCCD)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Z622184-1200x799.jpg)
Eliot Faine, Staff Writer • May 15, 2024
The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on April 23. District achievements and strategies were...
![The Citizen Investigates: International Travel](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Travel-Story-e1721903440729-1200x800.png)
PCCD spends $87k on overseas trips yet F-1 student population declines
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Managing Editor • July 25, 2024
Peralta has yet to establish a process to evaluate the costs and benefits of funding international travel. We combed through travel receipts, international student data, and district policy to find out.
![Staff Writer Desmond Meagley stands in the very spot where a security guard confronted him last month: the doorway of the men’s restroom in the Laney College Library. Meagley, who is transgender, tried to report the incident, but reached a dead end when an administrator told him he would need the security guard’s name.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_7788-1200x800.jpg)
Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • May 20, 2024
![Raymond Quan, one of two candidates turned down for the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources role, answers a question at his public forum.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PXL_20240626_193325892-1200x1000.jpg)
Andrea Epps tapped for interim VC of Human Resources
Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • July 21, 2024
![A blue phone in the Laney College parking lot. District officials are advising community members to take precaution in parking lot areas after a recent vehicle burglary.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_6822-e1720830697795-1200x801.jpeg)
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • July 12, 2024
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May 21, 2024
Ivan Saravia, Staff WriterApril 24, 2024
Rym-Maya Kherbache, Staff WriterMarch 19, 2024
Isabelly Sabô Barbosa, Social Media EditorMarch 4, 2024
Desmond Meagley, Staff WriterFebruary 28, 2024
Isabelly Sabô Barbosa, Social Media Editor
- Board bears down on budget at 6/11 meetingJuly 10, 2024
- Graduations, resignations and more: PCCD Trustees wrap up school year at 5/28 meetingJune 17, 2024
- Greg Nelson to be Chief Operating OfficerJune 14, 2024
- Class cancellations, basic needs, and 'flying pigs' at 5/14 meeting for PCCD TrusteesJune 1, 2024
![PCCD offices. (Photo: Li Khan/The Citizen)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_6501-1200x900.jpeg)
July 10, 2024
![Breaking: PCCD appoints former San Leandro police chief to Interim Executive Director of Public Safety](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_9300.jpeg)
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Trending Stories
![Greg Nelson to be Chief Operating Officer](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Greg-Nelson-Headshot-1-e1718425982919.jpg)
Nelson to be first COO since leadership restructure
![Abigail McMurry, Acting President of Associated Students of Laney College, spoke against last-minute class cancellations at the May 14 Board of Trustees meeting.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Abigail-McMurray-1200x800.jpeg)
Ian Waters, News Editor • June 1, 2024
![Melanie Dixon appointed CoA President](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Melanie-Dixon-1-e1716529606317.jpeg)
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer • May 23, 2024
![As College of Alameda searches for a new president, The Citizen searched for one of the colleges former presidents. The late Jeanette Poore was the first woman to lead a community college in California.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PooreText-2-1200x800.png)
![Carpentry instructor spruces up department](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7522-e1714003340424-1200x802.jpg)
April 24, 2024
![Student Trustee Natasha Masand believes her voice has the power to impact the PCCD community.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3463-1200x800.jpeg)
March 19, 2024
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February 21, 2024
![New district chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson delivered an impassioned speech introducing herself to PCCD at Spring 2024 Flex Day. Other keynote speeches, performances, info sessions, and trainings were held throughout the day. (Photo: Faiza Ali/PCCD)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/O5A1509-1200x800.jpg)
January 31, 2024
![Tony Claar, an animation instructor at Laney College, passed away at 74. (Photo: Li Khan/The Citizen)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8213-1200x900.jpeg)
![Izzie Villanueva sits at their laptop in BCCs Basic Needs Center, scanning student IDs into a database to track Basic Needs usage. (Photo courtesy: Izzie Villanueva)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/F0A2606-1200x800.jpg)
December 15, 2023
![The UC Berkeley chapter of End Overdose at Sproul Plaza in Berkeley on Jan. 23, 2024. The organization passes out free fentanyl test strips to students, and gives other organizations training on Narcan usage. (Photo: Juliana Yamada/CalMatters)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/012324_Opioid-Safety_JY_CM_13-1200x800.webp)
March 8, 2024
A California required campus health centers at public colleges and universities to arm students with free Narcan, but not all have followed suit.
![(Graphic by Li Khan/The Citizen)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Laney-Tower-of-Terror-Graphic-1200x675.png)
December 28, 2023
Three separate reports were made to The Citizen in November about a Laney Tower elevator malfunctioning with passengers inside. The college announced Dec. 4 that the Tower elevators would "remain offline until further notice."
![(Graphic: Li Khan/The Citizen)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Headline-1200x675.png)
December 25, 2023
Faculty at the Peralta Community College District wanted to see the $11.2 million state Cost of Living Adjustment funds used towards employee cost-of-living raises, but district officials determined that granting cost-of-living raises of any amount would still require substantial cuts elsewhere in the budget.