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

The Citizen
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
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna (left) and Desmond Meagley (right) have been selected for the CalMatters fellowship.
CalMatters picks two Citizen journalists for notable fellowship
August 2, 2024
A rendering of what a renovated Laney Theater could look like one day. The $29 million project is on hold until the state approves designs for a functional fire alarm system for the aging campus. (Source: BuildPERALTA website)
Big money is being spent to upgrade Peralta’s facilities. How’s it going?
July 29, 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
Recent Stories
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
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer • September 7, 2024
New contract approval process to reduce delays, confusion
New contract approval process to reduce delays, confusion
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer • 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
Candidates have four days left to secure spot on ballot
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • August 5, 2024
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna (left) and Desmond Meagley (right) have been selected for the CalMatters fellowship.
CalMatters picks two Citizen journalists for notable fellowship
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • August 2, 2024
A rendering of what a renovated Laney Theater could look like one day. The $29 million project is on hold until the state approves designs for a functional fire alarm system for the aging campus. (Source: BuildPERALTA website)
Big money is being spent to upgrade Peralta’s facilities. How’s it going?
Trustees get update to $945 million bond program
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • July 29, 2024
Sharon Serrano overviews Peralta's $945 million bond program, which funds many much-needed repairs and facilities upgrades across the district.
Bond update, student trustee vacancy, and new blue phones at 6/25 meeting for trustees
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • July 29, 2024
The Citizen Investigates: International Travel
The Citizen Investigates: International Travel
PCCD spends $87k on overseas trips yet F-1 student population declines
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Managing Editor • July 25, 2024
Raymond Quan, one of two candidates turned down for the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources role, answers a question at his public forum.
PCCD fails to hire permanent HR head
Andrea Epps tapped for interim VC of Human Resources
Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer • July 21, 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.
Laney issues safety advisory after vehicle theft in parking lot
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • July 12, 2024
PCCD offices. (Photo: Li Khan/The Citizen)
Board bears down on budget at 6/11 meeting
District faces $11.2 million deficit
Romi Bales and Li Khan • July 10, 2024
Students discuss their work in class at the MESA center at American River College on April 25, 2024. (Photo: Cristian Gonzalez/CalMatters)
California boosts spending to help students earn math and science degrees
Li Khan, via CalMatters • July 9, 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
Li Khan and The CalMatters College Journalism Network • June 29, 2024
Breaking: PCCD appoints former San Leandro police chief to Interim Executive Director of Public Safety
Breaking: PCCD appoints former San Leandro police chief to Interim Executive Director of Public Safety
Abdul Pridgen will lead the district’s community-based safety program
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • June 21, 2024
A cap at the Laney College commencement ceremony on May 24 reads in Spanish, "This is for my mom who gave me everything." (Photo: Marcus Creel/PCCD)
Graduations, resignations and more: PCCD Trustees wrap up school year at 5/28 meeting
Romi Bales, Staff Writer • June 17, 2024
Greg Nelson to be Chief Operating Officer
Greg Nelson to be Chief Operating Officer
Nelson to be first COO since leadership restructure
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna and Desmond Meagley • June 14, 2024
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