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.

National art exhibition ‘STOKED’ showcases wood-fired possibilities for Laney ceramics program

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.

SALAAM program helps immigrant women find confidence and careers at CoA

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.

Peralta in the roots of Oakland labor history

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 at the Peralta Community College District – across all four...

(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.

Berkeley City College arts student helps new mascot take flight

Native birds, Dungeons & Dragons and UC Berkeley all served as inspiration for Multimedia Arts student Yunha Kim's design.

Ian Waters, Staff Writer • April 16, 2025

The owl is a popular symbol for representing knowledge and wisdom – now, it's the new mascot of Berkeley City College. BCC Multimedia Arts student Yunha Kim created the original owl design for the college in Dec. 2024.

Laney Art students get crafty in new gallery show

"Clay Paper Wood" melds Art and CTE student creations together in free multimedia exhibition

Emiliano Villa, Staff Writer • March 10, 2025

Clay Paper Wood highlights ceramics, prints, and woodworks by Laney’s advanced student-artists, and features the works of over 20 Laney Ceramics, Printmaking, and Wood Technology students.

New CoA President wants to be a role model for students

Melanie Dixon recounts her childhood in Portland and her transformation through community college

Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer • December 12, 2024

“The experience and the opportunities that the two year [college] can provide ... allowed me to overcome poverty,” Dixon said.

New ASLC President Builds Community

Frida Veliz wants campus and students to thrive

Gabriela Garcia, Staff Writer • December 11, 2024

Veliz hopes that her legacy at Laney College will culminate in a cleaner, safer and more welcoming campus that encourages leadership from students.

Multi-layered, highly decorated pastry chef Cheryl Lew brings culture and chemistry to Laney’s culinary department

Rym-Maya Kherbache, Staff Writer • December 11, 2024

Lew, a Culinary Arts instructor at Laney College, believes that being a successful baker requires plenty of practice.

Robot soccer teaches students nuts and bolts of engineering

Engineering students at Laney College get to have a ball while learning coding and design basics

Sam O’Neil, Staff Writer • November 26, 2024

“This class is not like other classes where we just sit in the classroom listening to the teacher trying to give a lecture, but this class is actually hands on,” Wells said. “Everybody is always engaged.”

‘We’re here, we’re in school, we have dreams’: New Laney queer center offers safe haven for LGBTQ+ students

Romi Bales, Staff Writer • November 20, 2024

Students can come to the center for information on where students can access vital services including counseling and academic assistance, or for a safe and quiet place to study.

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