The Citizen

thecitizeneliot · Interview with Alexandra Tejeda Rieloff

Alumnus reflects on decades-long performing career: “it really started in Laney College”

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.

(VIDEO) Laney’s student-built telescope launches machining careers

The Laney Lunar Looker project is part of a "massive modernization" that recently took place within the college's Machine Technology program.

Desmond Meagley, Editor in Chief • April 16, 2025

The Laney Lunar Looker is a telescope prototype that Laney College machining students build from scratch as a part of their career training. The Citizen's co-editor in chief Desmond Meagley spoke to Adam Balogh, Laney's Machine Technology department chair, to learn about how the telescope is built — as well as what opportunities his program provides for students who are seeking an education in a skilled trade.

Proposed layoffs condemned during public comment at 2/11 Peralta trustee meeting

District Chancellor Gilkerson called the reductions in force a “survival strategy.”

Rachel Venable, Staff Writer • February 20, 2025

Peralta’s classified employee union protested a recent budget proposal during the public comment portion of the Feb. 11 Board of Trustees meeting. Armed with purple signs and heartfelt comments, a small crowd of classified employees filled the Peralta Community College District boardroom to oppose the elimination of 33 classified positions.

The Feline Freaks Come Out at Night: Peralta District Office’s Nocturnal Neighbors

Eliot Faine, Staff Writer • November 3, 2024

Peralta's nightlife is thriving, particularly in the district office parking lot.

CoA’s mystery woman: The forgotten legacy of the first female community college president in California

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.

Sunshine Week 2024: Spotlighting public records

A multi-year investigation into public records related to campus security, public funds, and more

Li Khan, Editor in Chief • March 17, 2024

As the news cycle churns on and current events beg for our attention, some public records that we obtain inevitably end up collecting dust in the corner. In honor of Sunshine Week, we’ve decided to dust off some of those records, and shed light on public information.

The humble Grammy-winning pianist leading CoA’s music program

Jazz professor Glen Pearson performs with legendary Count Basie Orchestra, which took home a Grammy this year

Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • March 4, 2024

Seated at his piano in room G-119, between stacks of papers and cardboard boxes, Glen Pearson effortlessly hammers out snappy blues melodies with the flick of a wrist for his jazz ensemble students. His...

We sued our district over public records and won. Here’s what we learned

Li Khan, Editor in Chief • February 22, 2024

We asked our district a question in the form of multiple Public Records Act requests, but got incomplete answers. It's still happening.

Q&A with incoming chancellor

Tammeil Gilkerson shares her background and plans for leadership

The Citizen Staff • December 3, 2023

Peralta Community College District's incoming chancellor, Tammeil Gilkerson, is set to begin her term on Jan. 4 of next year. Gilkerson – the district’s first permanent chancellor in over three years...

Your next favorite post-punk band includes two Peralta students — an interview with Muffler

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Investigations Editor • November 6, 2023

On stage, Muffler has the timeless energy that all great punk artists possess -- a fantastic, effortless dark harmony that tells the audience they are not here for the crowds, but for their own...

The Citizen Investigates: Outside Speaker Fees

Payments range from $150 to $60,000 in the absence of a district-wide policy

David Rowe and Pamela Rudd • June 22, 2023

Over the past three years, the four colleges of the Peralta Community College District have invited a number of outside speakers to conduct workshops for students, faculty, and staff without formal district-wide policies set in place to determine how much they should be paid. Records obtained by The Citizen show that fees paid to these speakers range widely, from as little as $150 to as much as $60,000.

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