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

The Citizen
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
September 12, 2024
A street sign in Los Angeles's West Hollywood neighborhood. Often shortened to simply "WeHo", the area is considered to be LA's "gay mecca" by locals and tourists alike.
Who’s protecting WeHo’s walkable wonderland?
September 10, 2024
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
September 7, 2024
New contract approval process to reduce delays, confusion
New contract approval process to reduce delays, confusion
August 28, 2024
Trustees and prospective challengers have four days left to secure a spot on the November ballot.
No challengers yet for incumbent Peralta trustees
August 5, 2024
They conquered gloom and Zoom: 2024 college grads on what comes next
They conquered gloom and Zoom: 2024 college grads on what comes next
June 29, 2024
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
May 21, 2024
As College of Alameda searches for a new president, The Citizen searched for one of the college's former presidents. The late Jeanette Poore was the first woman to lead a community college in California.
CoA’s mystery woman: The forgotten legacy of the first female community college president in California
May 13, 2024
Carpentry instructor spruces up department
Carpentry instructor spruces up department
April 24, 2024
Student Trustee Natasha Masand believes her voice has the power to impact the PCCD community.
Student Trustee Natasha Masand finds her voice
March 19, 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
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 20, 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 9, 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
(Photo: AlchemillaMollis/Pixabay)
Just call me Grinch
December 14, 2023
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
(Graphic by Li Khan/The Citizen)
Laney’s Tower of Terror
December 28, 2023
(Graphic: Li Khan/The Citizen)
How $11.2 million in state funding led to a $6.2 million deficit for PCCD
December 25, 2023
Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

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

The Citizen

Laney College

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.

Laney issues safety advisory after vehicle theft in parking lot

Li Khan, Editor in Chief • July 12, 2024
An individual was inside the vehicle when the passenger window was broken into, according to the statement.
Laney College Baseball held a naming ceremony April 26 for its stadium, now called the Tom Pearse Diamond. The name change was approved by the Peralta Board of Trustees at its April 23 meeting. (Photo: Marcus Creel/PCCD)

Laney names baseball stadium, FabLab to relocate and more at 4/23 meeting for PCCD trustees

Eliot Faine, Staff Writer • May 15, 2024

The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on April 23. District achievements and strategies were discussed, contracts approved, and several former PCCD employees...

New Vice President leadership at Laney announced

New Vice President leadership at Laney announced

Besikof selects Lily Espinoza and Ashish Sahni for Laney VP positions
Isabelly Sabô Barbosa, Social Media Editor • May 13, 2024

On April 29, Laney College President Rudy Besikof announced his selection of Lily Espinoza for Vice President of Student Services and Ashish Sahni for Vice President of Administrative Services, pending...

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.
San Mateo district passes on Besikof

San Mateo district passes on Besikof

SMCCCD to appoint incumbent chancellor Melissa Moreno
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • April 15, 2024
SMCCCD has selected Melissa Moreno for the permanent chancellor. Laney College President Rudy Besikof was one of four finalists for the position. 
Finalists for Laney VP of Student Services share plans for student success

Finalists for Laney VP of Student Services share plans for student success

Deadline for community feedback shortened to Thursday at noon
Romi Bales, Desmond Meagley, and Lylah Schmedel-Permanna • April 10, 2024
The new VP will oversee a number of departments underneath the Student Services umbrella, including the Counseling and Student Accessibility Services.
A PCCD board meeting held during spring break included 'really good news' for the funding of retiree benefits, as well as the approval of $1.36 million for the new Laney Tower elevators. Pictured: New designs for CoA's revamped aviation facility, which were approved by the board. (Source: AE3 Partners)

‘Really good news’ for retiree benefits, Laney Tower elevators set for replacement, and more at 3/26 meeting for PCCD trustees

Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • April 7, 2024

The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Board of Trustees held a regular meeting March 26, during the district’s spring break. The meeting focused heavily on retiree benefits, while also touching...

(Photo: Li Khan/The Citizen)

Finalists announced for Laney College VPs of Student Services, Administrative Services

Public forums to be held April 8-9
Romi Bales, Staff Writer • April 5, 2024

Four fresh faces – and one familiar one – are vying for leadership positions at Laney College. The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) has announced finalists for Laney College Vice President...

Laney President Rudy Besikof announced as finalist for SMCCCD chancellor

Laney President Rudy Besikof announced as finalist for SMCCCD chancellor

Besikof up against two former finalists for PCCD chancellor and incumbent
Timothy Lane, Arts Editor • March 20, 2024

Update: SMCCCD selects Melissa Moreno for chancellor Laney College President Rudy Besikof is one of four finalists for the San Mateo County Community College District’s (SMCCCD) search for a...

Secondhand clothes in a variety of sizes and styles sit on a rack in the newly opened clothing exchange, where PCCD students can now access free clothes and shoes.

Laney clothing exchange gets permanent home

Free 'clothing store' available to Peralta students
Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • March 11, 2024

A free clothing exchange is now available to all Peralta Community College District (PCCD) students on the third floor of the Laney College Student Center. Any PCCD student can access secondhand clothing...

Journalism chair to serve on ‘Pillars of Democracy’ panel

Journalism chair to serve on ‘Pillars of Democracy’ panel

Eleni Gastis will speak alongside Oaklandside EIC on strengthening democracy through education
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • March 5, 2024
Journalism Department Chair Eleni Gastis will discuss strengthening democracy with two other panelists at a sold-out Berkeley event Thursday.
(Graphic by Li Khan/The Citizen. Illustrations: Sketchify/Canva; SEGOTeam/Canva)

California Virtual Campus Exchange allows community college students to enroll in online classes statewide

Peralta open enrollment for regular session classes ends soon, but many late start classes will still be available
Ian Waters, News Editor • January 25, 2024
Although Saturday is the last day to enroll in a regular session class at Peralta Community College District (PCCD), students can still enroll in online classes at other community colleges in California through the California Virtual Campus (CVC) Exchange.
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