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

The Citizen
Students can access primary care, birth control, and STI testing at no cost through the Laney health clinic, which is now under the leadership of Baywell Health.
Laney health clinic gets new provider
November 19, 2024
Peralta’s financial outlook is ‘negative’ according to Fitch Ratings
Peralta’s financial outlook is ‘negative’ according to Fitch Ratings
November 14, 2024
PCCD's financial future got an honest look at the Oct. 22 board meeting. From left: Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson, Chief Operating Officer Greg Nelson. (Photo: Kristina Hoessl/The Citizen)
‘The sky’s already fallen’: Peralta’s grim financial future and past mistakes overviewed at 10/22 trustee meeting
November 14, 2024
Voter registration display at Laney College library entrance. Photo by Kristina Hoessl.
Worried that you missed the voter registration deadline? Same Day Registration is still an option
November 3, 2024
The American Straight A Academy helped students in China receive transfer degrees from the Peralta Community College District without paying international tuition or setting foot in California. The for-profit company, registered in Dallas, Texas, has not disclosed how much students pay for the experience.
Investigation: A look at the for-profit Chinese business that sold Peralta classes overseas
October 30, 2024
A new space for LGBTQ+ students has popped up on the Laney College campus. The Queer Community center will host events and offer resources to LGBTQ+ members of the Peralta community.
‘We’re here, we’re in school, we have dreams’: New Laney queer center offers safe haven for LGBTQ+ students
November 20, 2024
Citizen Staff Writer Eliot Fane pays a visit to PCCD's cat community. Photos by Stevie Campos-Seligman.
The Feline Freaks Come Out at Night:  Peralta District Office’s Nocturnal Neighbors
November 3, 2024
Peabody Award-winning journalist Candice Nguyen captivated a crowd of student journalists Saturday as she recounted her life and career. Nguyen, who was born and raised in Oakland, said journalism gave her the "structure and purpose" to stitch her life back together after a chaotic childhood.
Peabody Award winner inspires students
November 1, 2024
Who are Peralta’s student trustees?
Who are Peralta’s student trustees?
October 31, 2024
Tea with Tamara: Black Panther Party History Month w/ Merritt College President David Johnson
Tea with Tamara: Black Panther Party History Month w/ Merritt College President David Johnson
October 25, 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
Incumbent Area 2 Trustee Paulina Gonzalez-Brito, pictured here in The Citizen's newsroom, has what it takes to stay on the Peralta board for another four years.
EDITORIAL: Keep Paulina Gonzalez-Brito on the Peralta board
September 25, 2024
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 19, 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 8, 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
The American Straight A Academy helped students in China receive transfer degrees from the Peralta Community College District without paying international tuition or setting foot in California. The for-profit company, registered in Dallas, Texas, has not disclosed how much students pay for the experience.
Investigation: A look at the for-profit Chinese business that sold Peralta classes overseas
October 30, 2024
Investigation: Over half of PCCD conflict of interest disclosures nowhere to be found
Investigation: Over half of PCCD conflict of interest disclosures nowhere to be found
September 17, 2024
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
Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

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

The Citizen
Desmond Meagley

Desmond Meagley, Associate Editor/Photo Editor

Desmond Meagley (any/all) got hir start in journalism at the YR Media newsroom (formerly known as Youth Radio) in 2015, writing about public health, education, and gender until hir departure in 2019. Hir work has appeared in The SF Chronicle, The Daily Cal, Teen Vogue, KQED, KCBS and more. Xe has also been honored with awards from The Society of Professional Journalists NorCal, Public Radio News Directors Inc., and The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (of which Desmond is a proud member.) Through hir work at The Citizen Desmond hopes to tell compelling stories about students, as well as to increase transparency and student participation throughout the Peralta Community College District. When outside of class, xe is usually drawing, cooking, or herding hir numerous household pets.

All content by Desmond Meagley
BondGraphic

[Photo] Peralta’s financial outlook is ‘negative’ according to Fitch Ratings

Ian Waters, Staff Writer
November 14, 2024
PXL_20241023_014922558

[Photo] ‘The sky’s already fallen’: Peralta’s grim financial future and past mistakes overviewed at 10/22 trustee meeting

Kristina Hoessl, Staff Writer
November 14, 2024
The American Straight A Academy helped students in China receive transfer degrees from the Peralta Community College District without paying international tuition or setting foot in California. The for-profit company, registered in Dallas, Texas, has not disclosed how much students pay for the experience.

[Photo] Investigation: A look at the for-profit Chinese business that sold Peralta classes overseas

October 30, 2024
Smoke from the Keller Fire rises into the air above the Oakland hills. Residents near Merritt College and the Oakland Zoo were evacuated from the area Friday.

Oakland “Keller Fire” sparks Merritt College evacuation

Desmond Meagley, Associate Editor
October 19, 2024
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

The Citizen makes plans for public forums, endorsement
Desmond Meagley, Associate Editor
September 17, 2024
20240914_230954_0000

[Photo] Investigation: Over half of PCCD conflict of interest disclosures nowhere to be found

September 17, 2024

Who’s protecting WeHo’s walkable wonderland?

Desmond Meagley, via NLGJA CONNECT
September 10, 2024
Students walk through the Laney Quad.

[Photo] Engaging a diverse student body: A stroll on the Laney College Quad

September 19, 2024
Trustees and prospective challengers have four days left to secure a spot on the November ballot.

[Photo] No challengers yet for incumbent Peralta trustees

August 5, 2024
Sharon Serrano overviews Peralta's $945 million bond program, which funds many much-needed repairs and facilities upgrades across the district.

[Photo] Bond update, student trustee vacancy, and new blue phones at 6/25 meeting for trustees

July 29, 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
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
Merritt Librarian reimagines 'alebrijes' sculptor’s life in new picture book

Merritt Librarian reimagines ‘alebrijes’ sculptor’s life in new picture book

Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer
May 30, 2024
CoA's next president is one of these three college leaders

CoA’s next president is one of these three college leaders

Community feedback on the candidates is due midnight tonight
Desmond Meagley and Ivan Saravia
May 21, 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.

[Photo] BCC’s new MESA director instills confidence in students

Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
May 20, 2024
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

Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer
May 19, 2024
The search for a permanent president of the College of Alameda is down to three candidates. William “Terry” Brown (left), Melanie Dixon (middle), and Rebecca “Becky” Opsata will respond to community questions at public forums on Thursday. (Photo courtesy: PCCD)

Finalists for CoA President unveiled

Community questions accepted until midnight tonight
Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer
May 13, 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.

[Photo] CoA’s mystery woman: The forgotten legacy of the first female community college president in California

Romi Bales, Staff Writer
May 13, 2024
PCCD's classified employees pose for a pic at the first-ever "professional development day" for classified professionals. PCCD Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson reflected on the event in her report to the Board of Trustees. (Source: PCCD)

Peralta’s leadership search, CCC public safety earmark, and “rumors” discussed at 4/9 meeting of PCCD Trustees

Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer
April 24, 2024
Plants grow in plastic pots next to Merritt College's Landscape Horticulture greenhouses. Merritt is set to launch a new Certificate of Achievement in Cannabis Horticulture this fall.

Merritt’s new Cannabis Horticulture Certificate is about ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’

Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer
April 20, 2024
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
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
Peralta Board of Trustees Brief 3/12: Women’s basketball win, class modality discussions, new EEO plan

Peralta Board of Trustees Brief 3/12: Women’s basketball win, class modality discussions, new EEO plan

Desmond Meagley, Staff Writer
March 22, 2024
SunshineWeekDimmed

[Photo] Sunshine Week 2024: Spotlighting public records

Li Khan, Editor in Chief
March 17, 2024
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
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
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