Peralta Community College District's Only Student-Run Publication
Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

The Citizen
Professor Dr. James W. Reede Jr. lectures students on the environmental impacts of California policies in the seminar hall of the Black Honors College at Sacramento State University on Oct. 3, 2024. (Photo: Louis Bryant III/CalMatters)
Black California students want more support. A new law names colleges that serve them best
December 4, 2024
Illustration by Gabriel Hongsdusit, CalMatters
How California keeps transgender student athletes on the court as bans unfold across the country
December 2, 2024
(Photo by Eli Pluma on Unsplash)
Laney classified employees organize annual toy drive
November 27, 2024
Three candidates vie to lead CoA instruction
Three candidates vie to lead CoA instruction
November 26, 2024
Paulina Gonzalez-Brito shares a laugh with The Citizen staff during the publication's public forums held Sep. 23. Area 2 voters re-elected Gonzalez-Brito this month, according to unofficial results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
Paulina Gonzalez-Brito to retain Area 2 seat
November 24, 2024
Laney Engineering Department Chair Mallory Barkdull tallies points as her students pit their soccer-playing robots against each other. The friendly tournament challenges contestants to learn design and coding skills through play.
Robot soccer teaches students nuts and bolts of engineering
November 26, 2024
A new space for LGBTQ+ students has popped up on the Laney College campus. The Queer Community center will host events and offer resources to LGBTQ+ members of the Peralta community.
‘We’re here, we’re in school, we have dreams’: New Laney queer center offers safe haven for LGBTQ+ students
November 20, 2024
Citizen Staff Writer Eliot Fane pays a visit to PCCD's cat community. Photos by Stevie Campos-Seligman.
The Feline Freaks Come Out at Night:  Peralta District Office’s Nocturnal Neighbors
November 3, 2024
Peabody Award-winning journalist Candice Nguyen captivated a crowd of student journalists Saturday as she recounted her life and career. Nguyen, who was born and raised in Oakland, said journalism gave her the "structure and purpose" to stitch her life back together after a chaotic childhood.
Peabody Award winner inspires students
November 1, 2024
Who are Peralta’s student trustees?
Who are Peralta’s student trustees?
October 31, 2024
Merritt Librarian reimagines 'alebrijes' sculptor’s life in new picture book
Merritt Librarian reimagines ‘alebrijes’ sculptor’s life in new picture book
May 30, 2024
College of Alameda jazz professor Glen Pearson demonstrates his musical talent on his classroom piano. He's one of the newest members of the Count Basie Orchestra, a historic 18-piece jazz ensemble that took home a Grammy this year.
The humble Grammy-winning pianist leading CoA’s music program
March 4, 2024
In Director Chelsea Bo's first feature-length film, half-sisters Harper (left, Chelsea Bo) and Georgie (right, Ava Acres), thrown together by circumstance and a weak blood relation, must untie the knots in their relationship. The film won "Jury Prize Feature" at the Alameda International Film Festival last week. (Courtesy: Paxeros)
No Right Way, Chelsea Bo’s hard-hitting emotional rollercoaster about the complexities of sisterhood, shown at Alameda International Film Festival
February 29, 2024
©Netflix 2023. Fair Use Disclaimer: This image has been used in good faith for the purpose of review and critique under the terms of "fair use". Under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" of copyrighted work for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research.
Queer Black History: A review of ‘Rustin’
February 28, 2024
Muffler’s first headlining performance at the Golden Bull in Oakland, CA on May 24, 2023. From left to right: Wes Allerd, TJ Gardea Jr., Gaby Aravjo (Photo by Lylah Schmedel-Permanna/The Citizen)
Your next favorite post-punk band includes two Peralta students — an interview with Muffler
November 6, 2023
Incumbent Area 2 Trustee Paulina Gonzalez-Brito, pictured here in The Citizen's newsroom, has what it takes to stay on the Peralta board for another four years.
EDITORIAL: Keep Paulina Gonzalez-Brito on the Peralta board
September 25, 2024
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.
The Catch-22 in AP 3435, Peralta’s Harassment Protocol
May 19, 2024
Social Media Editor Isabelly Sabô stands in front of the door to The Citizen's newsroom. Sabô is an international student from Brazil.
We’re not just ‘rich kids on vacation’: The journey of an international student
May 5, 2024
(Photo: Glen Carrie/Unsplash)
Student elections open today. Has voter information been ‘widespread’?
April 8, 2024
The state flag of California flies underneath the American flag on the west side of the Laney College campus. Behind, the Tribune Tower, which once housed Oakland's daily print newspaper, sits in the city skyline. Both California and the United States have open government laws that establish the public's right to information, but the Peralta Community College District consistently lags behind in comprehensively fulfilling requests for public information made by student journalists at The Citizen. (Photo: Li Khan/The Citizen)
We sued our district over public records and won. Here’s what we learned
February 22, 2024
The American Straight A Academy helped students in China receive transfer degrees from the Peralta Community College District without paying international tuition or setting foot in California. The for-profit company, registered in Dallas, Texas, has not disclosed how much students pay for the experience.
Investigation: A look at the for-profit Chinese business that sold Peralta classes overseas
October 30, 2024
Investigation: Over half of PCCD conflict of interest disclosures nowhere to be found
Investigation: Over half of PCCD conflict of interest disclosures nowhere to be found
September 17, 2024
The Citizen Investigates: International Travel
The Citizen Investigates: International Travel
July 25, 2024
Sunshine Week 2024: Spotlighting public records
Sunshine Week 2024: Spotlighting public records
March 17, 2024
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)
Narcan at California colleges: Are students getting overdose medication?
March 8, 2024
Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

The Citizen
Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

The Citizen
Peralta’s financial outlook is ‘negative’ according to Fitch Ratings

Peralta’s financial outlook is ‘negative’ according to Fitch Ratings

New report outlines PCCD’s upcoming fiscal challenges but maintains AAA status
Ian Waters, Staff Writer • November 14, 2024

Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings downgraded its rating of the Peralta Community College District (PCCD)’s financial outlook in a 2024 annual report, due to concerns over the district’s projected...

Smoke from the Keller Fire rises into the air above the Oakland hills. Residents near Merritt College and the Oakland Zoo were evacuated from the area Friday.

Oakland “Keller Fire” sparks Merritt College evacuation

Desmond Meagley, Associate Editor • October 19, 2024
A fire broke out Friday in the Oakland Hills, causing Merritt College to temporarily shut down and evacuate students and staff.
The Peralta boardroom. Photo was taken before current Board President Paulina Gonzalez-Brito stepped onto the board. (Photo: Peralta Colleges SmugMug)

Sinead Geneva Anderson runs for Peralta board against Area 2 Trustee Paulina Gonzalez-Brito

The Citizen makes plans for public forums, endorsement
Desmond Meagley, Associate Editor • September 17, 2024
A challenger has stepped forward in the Area 2 Peralta Community College (PCCD) Board of Trustees election.
NBA legend Gary Payton, who recently wrapped up a tumultuous coaching stint at Lincoln University, is set to make a splash at the College of Alameda this fall. (Photo: Keith Allison via Wikimedia Commons)

Exclusive: NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton lands coaching gig at the College of Alameda

Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer • September 7, 2024
The basketball legend is hopping across the estuary after tumultuous stint at a private nonprofit university in Oakland.
New contract approval process to reduce delays, confusion

New contract approval process to reduce delays, confusion

Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer • August 28, 2024

After collecting constructive feedback from district employees, the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) announced plans to improve the system by which district contracts are processed. The improvements...

The Citizen Investigates: International Travel

The Citizen Investigates: International Travel

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.
Greg Nelson to be Chief Operating Officer

Greg Nelson to be Chief Operating Officer

Nelson to be first COO since leadership restructure
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna and Desmond Meagley • June 14, 2024

Following a national search, the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) announced Thursday that Greg Nelson will serve in the permanent position of Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer (COO),...

Abigail McMurry, Acting President of Associated Students of Laney College, spoke against last-minute class cancellations at the May 14 Board of Trustees meeting.

Class cancellations, basic needs, and ‘flying pigs’ at 5/14 meeting for PCCD Trustees

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

Merritt Librarian reimagines ‘alebrijes’ sculptor’s life in new picture book

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

Melanie Dixon appointed CoA President

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.
CoA's next president is one of these three college leaders

CoA’s next president is one of these three college leaders

Community feedback on the candidates is due midnight tonight
Desmond Meagley and Ivan Saravia • May 21, 2024
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, BCC's 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.

BCC’s new MESA director instills confidence in students

Armando Franco reflects on journey from first-generation college student to experienced mentor
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer • May 20, 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.
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