Profile
![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)
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 21, 2024
![Carpentry instructor spruces up department](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7522-e1714003340424-1200x802.jpg)
Carpentry instructor spruces up department
Matthew Wolpe found his passion for building in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Now he wants to inspire students
Rym-Maya Kherbache, Staff Writer
• 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)
Student Trustee Natasha Masand finds her voice
Isabelly Sabô Barbosa, Social Media Editor
• March 19, 2024
![College of Alameda jazz professor Glen Pearson demonstrates his musical talent on his classroom piano. Hes one of the newest members of the Count Basie Orchestra, a historic 18-piece jazz ensemble that took home a Grammy this year.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PXL_20240229_204520066-1200x906.jpg)
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
![Student Trustee Naomi Vasquez, who was sworn onto the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees on Dec. 12, 2023, sees her role as an opportunity to uplift her fellow students and advocate for the value of a community college education.](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Naomi-Vasquez-1200x798.jpeg)
Student Trustee Naomi Vasquez aims to lift voices and empower students at PCCD
Isabelly Sabô Barbosa, Social Media Editor
• February 28, 2024
![Childhood photo of Burgess](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Drew-Burgess-child-848x1200.jpg)
Tea with Tamara: Drew Burgess, art faculty at College of Alameda
Tamara Copes, Columnist
• February 21, 2024
![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)
The Basics on Izzie Villanueva, BCC’s first Basic Needs Coordinator
Ian Waters, News Editor
• December 15, 2023
![Meet Peraltas student leaders](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Meet-Peraltas-student-leaders-1-1200x675.png)
Meet Peralta’s student leaders
Four student body presidents discuss their backgrounds and aspirations
Satch Alvarez, Staff Writer
• December 13, 2023
![Tea with Tamara: Mark Rauzon, biogeographer and Laney Instructor](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mark-Rauzon-childhood-1193x1200.jpeg)
Tea with Tamara: Mark Rauzon, biogeographer and Laney Instructor
Tamara Copes, Columnist
• December 11, 2023
![(Graphic: Li Khan/The Citizen. Photo courtesy of Laney College)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tammeil-Gilkerson-QA-1200x675.png)
Q&A with incoming chancellor
Tammeil Gilkerson shares her background and plans for leadership
The Citizen Staff
• December 3, 2023
![Tea With Tamara: Lily Leung, Laney Library Technician II](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Lily-3-e1713079680587-1-e1713079824460.jpg)
Tea With Tamara: Lily Leung, Laney Library Technician II
Tamara Copes, Columnist
• November 22, 2023
![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)](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/group-pic-2-scaled-1-1200x732.jpg)
Your next favorite post-punk band includes two Peralta students — an interview with Muffler
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Investigations Editor
• November 6, 2023
Load More Stories
![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
![Carpentry instructor spruces up department](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7522-e1714003340424-1200x802.jpg)
Rym-Maya Kherbache, Staff Writer • April 24, 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-e1720830697795-600x400.jpeg)
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • July 12, 2024
![The Citizen Investigates: International Travel](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Travel-Story-e1721903440729-600x400.png)
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Managing Editor • July 25, 2024
Archives
![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
![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)
Isabelly Sabô Barbosa, Social Media Editor • March 19, 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-e1720830697795-600x400.jpeg)
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • July 12, 2024
![The Citizen Investigates: International Travel](https://peraltacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Travel-Story-e1721903440729-600x400.png)
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Managing Editor • July 25, 2024
Archives