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

The Citizen
Andrea Epps speaks to the Peralta Board of Trustees about an independent analysis into the district's equity as an employer. Despite finding Latinx-identified individuals to be underrepresented among district employees, the analysis did not show "persistent patterns of adverse impact” on hiring “by race, ethnicity, or gender.”
Laney-Merritt merger “concerns” and EEO presentation at Sept. 9 Board of Trustees meeting
September 29, 2025
SEIU members pack the Board of Trustees regular meeting at the Peralta District Offices, Aug. 26, 2025.
Board hears union opposition during public comment and more at Aug. 26 Board meeting
September 9, 2025
Peralta Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson introduced her recommendation to merge Laney College and Merritt College at a recent district professional development day. Historically, Laney and Merritt were once two campuses of one school -- Oakland City College.
BREAKING: Peralta chancellor recommends merge between Merritt College and Laney College
August 15, 2025
Students walk through campus at Cabrillo College in Aptos on Dec. 7, 2023. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters
A safety net for struggling colleges is expiring. Why the Bay Area will be hit hardest
June 30, 2025
Peralta seeks proposals for new security vendors
Peralta seeks proposals for new security vendors
May 30, 2025
Alexandra Tejeda Rieloff performs with her band at Etcetera Wine Bar in San Francisco, CA., on April 15, 2025.
Alumnus reflects on decades-long performing career: “it really started in Laney College”
September 26, 2025
Yunomi by Ian Bassett is one of the featured works at the new exhibition. STOKED highlights the unique texture and color of wood-fired ceramics.
National art exhibition ‘STOKED’ showcases wood-fired possibilities for Laney ceramics program
September 24, 2025
Mina Spasely, peer mentor for SALAAM learning community and nursing major at College of Alameda, poses in front of the sign for the college. SALAAM aims to uplift CoA students from Arab, Southwest Asian and North African diasporic communities.
SALAAM program helps immigrant women find confidence and careers at CoA
September 19, 2025
Graphic by Ivan Saravia, Sept. 1 2025.
Peralta in the roots of Oakland labor history
September 1, 2025
Laney College Machine Technology students construct this high-powered reflector telescope as they progress through their training. The project teaches students how to create complex parts out of various materials using precise tools.
(VIDEO) Laney’s student-built telescope launches machining careers
April 16, 2025
Alexandra Tejeda Rieloff performs with her band at Etcetera Wine Bar in San Francisco, CA., on April 15, 2025.
Alumnus reflects on decades-long performing career: “it really started in Laney College”
September 26, 2025
Yunomi by Ian Bassett is one of the featured works at the new exhibition. STOKED highlights the unique texture and color of wood-fired ceramics.
National art exhibition ‘STOKED’ showcases wood-fired possibilities for Laney ceramics program
September 24, 2025
Berkeley City College Multimedia Arts student Yunha Kim created the new owl mascot in collaboration with Marcus Creel, the district's graphic design specialist. (Owl and banner design via Yunha Kim and Marcus Creel. Used with permission.)
Berkeley City College arts student helps new mascot take flight
April 16, 2025
The pieces shown in Clay, Paper, Wood are crafted by advanced Laney students across many mediums. The gallery offers a tranquil space in the center of Laney College’s campus.
Laney Art students get crafty in new gallery show
March 10, 2025
Native American photographer Dugan Aguilar spent decades documenting the lives of Indigenous Californians through his camera lens. His collection of work is on display now at the Oakland Museum of Califoria. (Shown: “Mimi Mullen (Madiu) Grand Marshall,” 1997 Greenville Gold Digger Days Parade)
This Indigenous art exhibition is free for Laney students
January 27, 2025
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 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
An athlete looks down the dark stairwell towards the locker rooms. Illustration by Eliot Faine
The Locker Room Stall: 47 years of Title IX allegations at Laney College
March 31, 2025
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
Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

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

The Citizen
Ivan Saravia

Ivan Saravia, News Editor

Ivan Saravia is an East Bay native who is enrolled in his fifth semester with The Citizen. Ivan has written about a wide variety of subjects for The Citizen including local government reporting, district management, and feature writing. His biggest accomplishments come from his breaking news coverage, including breaking the district Chancellor’s recommendation to merge Merritt College and Laney College as well as the hiring of Gary Payton as the men’s basketball coach at College of Alameda.

All content by Ivan Saravia
Alexandra Tejeda Rieloff performs with her band at Etcetera Wine Bar in San Francisco, CA., on April 15, 2025.

[Photo] Alumnus reflects on decades-long performing career: “it really started in Laney College”

Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor
September 26, 2025
SEIU members pack the Board of Trustees regular meeting at the Peralta District Offices, Aug. 26, 2025.

Board hears union opposition during public comment and more at Aug. 26 Board meeting

Public comments focused on district security and a new payment schedule for campus facility rentals.
Nelzy Gonzalez-Zaragoza and Ivan Saravia
September 9, 2025
Peralta Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson introduced her recommendation to merge Laney College and Merritt College at a recent district professional development day. Historically, Laney and Merritt were once two campuses of one school -- Oakland City College.

BREAKING: Peralta chancellor recommends merge between Merritt College and Laney College

In her FLEX day address, Gilkerson said the colleges may become “Oakland City College” in a move to “prune” and grow the district
Ivan Saravia, News Editor
August 15, 2025
Resource flyers hang just outside of Berkeley City College’s Undocumented Community Resource Center, where students can access various free support systems.

Berkeley City College strengthens its resources for undocumented students

Community groups in and around Berkeley City College provide resources for undocumented students during times of uncertainty
Ivan Saravia, Associate Editor
March 19, 2025
Longtime head coach for the Laney College Eagles, John Beam, retired last month from coaching, but will stay on as the Director of Athletics.

In case you missed it: Beam retires, new audit scrutinizes financial oversight and more at 12/10 trustee meeting

Ivan Saravia, Stephon Autery, and Romi Bales
January 28, 2025
New CoA President wants to be a role model for students

New CoA President wants to be a role model for students

Melanie Dixon recounts her childhood in Portland and her transformation through community college
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
December 12, 2024
Many of PCCD's neglected facilities need critical repairs, leading to high costs, Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Greg Nelson said during the November meeting.

[Photo] Facilities ‘in the red,’ districtwide employees get 1 percent raises and more at 11/12 meeting for Peralta trustees

Eliot Faine, Staff Writer
December 11, 2024
Laney Engineering Department Chair Mallory Barkdull tallies points as her students pit their soccer-playing robots against each other. The friendly tournament challenges contestants to learn design and coding skills through play.

[Photo] Robot soccer teaches students nuts and bolts of engineering

Sam O’Neil, Staff Writer
November 26, 2024
The Citizen staff and faculty advisor Eleni Gastis (center right) poses with nine awards from the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. (Photo: Annie Scaccia)

JACC recap: Citizen leads workshop on investigative journalism, wins nine awards

Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
November 1, 2024
Abdul Pridgen. (Source: 9/24 PCCD Board of Trustees Meeting livestream)

New hybrid safety model proposed for Peralta Community College District

Peralta safety director suggests employing ‘sworn and non-sworn’ personnel
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
October 3, 2024
Basketball legend Gary Payton, who left a coaching gig at Lincoln University earlier this year, has been tapped to lead the College of Alameda's men's basketball team. (Photo: Faiza Ali/PCCD via Peralta Colleges Smugmug)

Lights flash at Payton press conference

CoA's new men’s basketball coach gears up for the season
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
September 20, 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

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
Melanie Dixon appointed CoA President

Melanie Dixon appointed CoA President

After two years of acting appointments, the College of Alameda will finally fill the presidency with a permanent hire this summer
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
May 23, 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.

BCC’s new MESA director instills confidence in students

Armando Franco reflects on journey from first-generation college student to experienced mentor
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
May 21, 2024
(Graphic: Li Khan and Desmond Meagley/The Citizen)

Peralta Board of Trustees Brief 2/27: Budget updates, BCC expansion, administrative contract extensions

Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
March 12, 2024
(Graphic: Li Khan, Desmond Meagley/The Citizen)

Peralta Board of Trustees Brief 2/13: city grant for childcare centers; BCC hires MESA director; Measure H endorsement

Facilities item tabled to January yet to appear on agenda
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
February 27, 2024
New district chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson delivered an impassioned speech introducing herself to PCCD at Spring 2024 Flex Day. Other keynote speeches, performances, info sessions, and trainings were held throughout the day. (Photo: Faiza Ali/PCCD)

Spring semester kicks off at districtwide Flex Day

New chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson delivers personal introduction
Ivan Saravia, Staff Writer
January 31, 2024
(Photo by Li Khan/The Citizen)

Peralta Board of Trustees Brief: FabLabs, facilities, chancellor contract

Satch Alvarez, Sam O’Neil, and Ivan Saravia
November 29, 2023
District Academic Senate president Matthew Goldstein addressed the board with concerns about Peralta's participatory governance processes. (Source: Screenshot of Zoom meeting)

First reading of proposed budget raises serious concerns among ‘major stakeholders’ and trustees

PCCD Trustees set to vote on budget tonight
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna and Ivan Saravia
September 26, 2023
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