News

Peralta’s Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations to retire

The hiring process for Johnson’s replacement began after the job description for his position was revised at a May 12 meeting of the Board of Trustees, according to both Johnson and Gilkerson. The application will close on June 23.

Leo Premnath-Ray, Staff Writer • June 17, 2026

“I firmly believe that [...] providing our community with a good education is an incredibly noble pursuit,” Johnson said about his role, “So it’s been an incredibly fulfilling job, [...], it is the most interesting job I’ve ever had.”

A look at Peralta’s crime data

A deep dive into the crime data from the Annual Security Reports published by the district from the last 13 years.

Rachel Venable, Associate Editor • June 9, 2026

Every year on October 1, the district is required to publish the previous three years worth of data on crime at the district, per the Jeanne Clery Act, in an Annual Security Report. The Citizen analyzed data from Annual Security Reports between 2011 and 2024.

Meet the candidates for Peralta’s Executive Vice President of Student Learning and Success

Eight candidates, including two current Peralta employees, completed their public forums this week. Only three will be hired for the roles.

Citizen Staff • May 20, 2026

According to Peralta’s Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, Greg Nelson, Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson is expected to recommend three of the candidates to the Board of Trustees, who will vote on their employment at a board meeting in late June.

District’s only remaining bookstore will be online for summer

The bookstore at Laney College will close on Thursday and reopen in a new building in Fall 2026. Class materials can be purchased online in the interim.

Ariunzayat Yunren, Staff Writer • May 20, 2026

On Thursday, the last physical bookstore at the Peralta Community College District will move to a “virtual format” for summer, reopening in a new location with a new vendor beginning  Fall 2027.

What to know about Peralta’s Measure A on the June ballot

The measure, also called the Peralta Colleges Affordable Education Reauthorization Measure, would bring in $8 million annually for student support by renewing a $48 tax per parcel.

Eliot Faine, Co-Editor in Chief • May 16, 2026

Alameda County voters will decide whether to reauthorize a substantial funding source for the Peralta Community College District during the June 2 California primary election.

40% of Peralta buildings are in “deficient” condition, according to update on Facilities Master Plan

The independent consultant report also reveals a large percentage of online students across the district.

Leo Premnath-Ray, Staff Writer • May 13, 2026

According to the Division of the State Architect, 40% of all Peralta buildings are considered “deficient,” or the “strongest candidates” for renovation or replacement. The plan also found that a growing percentage of Peralta students are enrolled online.

Instructure reaches a ransom agreement with international hacker group

Days after nationwide cybersecurity attacks threatened to publicize student data, Instructure reached an agreement with ShinyHunters.

Nelzy Gonzalez-Zaragoza, Associate Editor • May 12, 2026

Instructure announced on Monday that they reached an agreement to preserve student data connected to Canvas, following a week of threats from the black-hat cybercriminal organization known as ShinyHunters.

Judge orders involuntary medication for alleged Laney College shooter

Former Laney College student, Cedric Irving Jr., will receive treatment at a state hospital until he is able to proceed with his trial as the suspected murderer of former athletic director, John Beam

Ivan Saravia and Eliot Faine • May 12, 2026

Presiding judge Armando Pastran Jr. ruled during Tuesday's commitment hearing that alleged Laney College shooter, Cedric Irving Jr., be "involuntarily medicated” to regain his mental competency

Canvas is back online at Peralta

The district confirmed that “all Canvas apps and services have been restored” following a global ransomware attack to its parent company

Ivan Saravia, Co-Editor in Chief • May 8, 2026

The Peralta Community College District sent out a districtwide email Friday morning confirming that “Canvas is back up and all Canvas apps and services have been restored.

Judge delays commitment order of alleged John Beam shooter

Former Laney student Cedric Irving Jr.’s placement in state hospital is delayed pending a decision whether to have him involuntarily medicated. He remains at Santa Rita Jail until a decision is made.

Nathaniel Delgado, Rachel Venable, and Eliot Faine • May 8, 2026

At Friday’s hearing to determine suspect Cedric Irving Jr. 's placement at a state hospital, the prosecution and defense did not agree on whether to involuntarily medicate him.

Cybercriminals threaten public release of student data from Canvas security breach

Just a week and a half before finals, Canvas has been hit with a second cyberattack. Peralta’s solution is to “cut off access.”

Rachel Venable, Eliot Faine, and Ivan Saravia • May 7, 2026

On May 7, Peralta Community College District students and faculty who logged into Canvas received a message from an international hacking syndicate, threatening to release users' private data unless a “settlement” is negotiated.

Empty Promises: The disparity of inconsistent access to menstrual hygiene

Hygiene dispensers at Laney College are inconsistent with their supply of menstrual period products. State law requires community college campuses to have free access to menstrual products in designated areas.

Nelzy Gonzalez-Zaragoza, Associate Editor • May 6, 2026

The first Menstrual Hygiene Day took place in 2014, and is recognized annually every year on May 28.