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Peralta Community College District's Only Student-Run News 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

PCCD

Mark Johnson stands in front of an archival display of promotional Peralta materials in Oakland, Calif. on April 23, 2026.

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 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.
Photo taken by Li Khan, edited on Canva

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.
The Peralta Community College District sign sits outside the district offices in the setting sun on May 12, 2026 in Oakland, CA.

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.
Cedric Irving Jr. takes a seat at his commitment hearing at the René C. Davidson Courthouse on Friday, May 8, 2026 in Oakland, CA.

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
The illustration uses a screenshot from Instructure's cybersecurity updates page for the Canvas cyberattack.

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.
Cybercriminals threaten public release of student data from Canvas security breach

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.
President of Associated Students of Merritt College during student government reports at the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees meeting at the district office in Oakland, CA on April 14, 2026. (screenshot taken form board meeting video)

Awards honorees, student elections updates, and dual enrollment partnership at April 14 Board of Trustees meeting

Chancellor recognizes employees with the Flying Pig Award for their “exceptional contributions,” board approves facility funds and employee retirements.
Nelzy Gonzalez-Zaragoza, Associate Editor April 28, 2026
The Peralta Community College District’s Board of Trustees approved a new, short-term position under the new safety model, heard from student government, and celebrated district community members with the Chancellor’s award during their regular meeting on April 14.
A skyline view of the Bay Area from the Merritt College parking lot in Oakland, CA on April 13, 2026.

Surveillance around Peralta: Where are the closest Flock cameras to your home campus?

With the increase of speed cameras and automated license plate readers around the Bay Area, The Citizen mapped out the nearest automated license plate readers to the four colleges
With the increased attention on Flock surveillance technology in Oakland, The Citizen decided to map out where the nearest Flock Cameras to each college campus at Peralta. Here's what we found.
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