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

The Citizen

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

The Citizen

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

The Citizen

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Laney counselor Philip Jucaban rests on a bench at Laney College in Oakland, CA on Oct. 29, 2025. Jucaban says he grounds his counseling work in the Filipino cultural value of bayanihan: “I’m just one counselor, but I like to bring a village together for each student,” Jucaban said.

Philip Jucaban brings bayanihan into counseling Laney students

For Jucaban, Filipino American History Month – which is celebrated annually in October – offers an opportunity for reflection with a "critical lens."
Dustin Chu, Staff Writer October 29, 2025
“At first, I didn’t understand the difference between heritage and history,” Jucaban said. “But heritage is what you choose to celebrate. History is everything: the good and the painful. We have to look at it with a critical lens.”
New CoA President wants to be a role model for 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.
Laney's student body president, Frida Veliz, wants to help connect students to the resources she didn't have access to when she first started college.

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.
Cheryl Lew has been an instructor in the Culinary Arts department since 2012 and was tenured in 2015. Her focus is on baking and pastries.

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.
Who are Peralta’s student trustees?

Who are Peralta’s student trustees?

BCC students Sophia Parmigiani and Pierce Byrne want to bridge gaps between Peralta colleges
Sam O’Neil, Staff Writer October 31, 2024
Though they come from different backgrounds, Parmigiani and Byrne have both dedicated themselves to representing the large pool of voices and diverse needs of the student body.
Q&A with Trustee Dyana Delfín Polk

Q&A with Trustee Dyana Delfín Polk

Berkeley rep wants Peralta to 'explore additional revenue sources' to avoid cuts
The Citizen Staff October 17, 2024
Polk, a political organizer and campaign consultant, represents the Berkeley and Oakland hills and parts of North Oakland.
Q&A with Trustee Nicky González Yuen

Q&A with Trustee Nicky González Yuen

Longtime board member is hopeful about new administration: 'Things are actually just getting fun'
The Citizen Staff October 17, 2024
Yuen, a political science instructor at De Anza College, is running uncontested for his sixth term on the Peralta Community College District’s governing board.
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.
Carpentry instructor spruces up department

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
Newly tenured instructor Matthew Wolpe’s path brought him to Laney College, where he has whittled his creative passion into teaching students about building and carpentry.
Student Trustee Natasha Masand believes her voice has the power to impact the PCCD community.

Student Trustee Natasha Masand finds her voice

Isabelly Sabô Barbosa, Social Media Editor March 19, 2024

Natasha Masand used to be shy in high school, and didn't always feel like she “fit in.” But at Peralta Community College District (PCCD), Masand found her voice. “Being a student trustee changed...

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

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...

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.

Student Trustee Naomi Vasquez aims to lift voices and empower students at PCCD

Isabelly Sabô Barbosa, Social Media Editor February 28, 2024

Between studying full time, working part time, volunteering, and spending time with her family, Naomi Vasquez has many commitments to balance. Last year, Vasquez’s passion for uplifting student voices...

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