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

The Citizen
A graffitied sign at the Oakland entrance of the Coast Guard Island near Alameda, CA on October 23, 2025.
District warns of anticipated federal immigration enforcement “surge” in East Bay
October 23, 2025
Left to right: Gavin Piedra, Arctomy Padilla, and Mariah Pon, organizers of the Student Arts Guild, prepare for a Club Rush event.
Submissions now open for Berkeley City College student-run art show
October 21, 2025
Peralta will join in international “Great Shakeout” earthquake drill
Peralta will join in international “Great Shakeout” earthquake drill
October 14, 2025
Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson speaking to a crowd of Peralta employees during the fall 2025 District FLEX Day at Merritt College in Oakland, CA on Aug. 15, 2025.
Big changes may be coming to Peralta. Here’s the plan so far
October 8, 2025
Merritt College to host "Peralta Pumpkin Pursuit" district fundraiser marathon
Merritt College to host “Peralta Pumpkin Pursuit” district fundraiser marathon
October 7, 2025
A pair competes in the Potato Dance contest, where two people hold a potato between their foreheads and dance around the arena at the NAHC Powwow at Merritt College in Oakland, CA., on September 27, 2025.
‘Laughter is Medicine’, Annual Powwow highlights Native American healthcare
October 13, 2025
Trellis and sign stand at the entrance to the Urban Community Gardening class plot at the Lakeside Park Garden Center in Oakland, CA., on September 23, 2025. 
Merritt College urban garden class sows “practical skills”
October 6, 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
Left to right: Gavin Piedra, Arctomy Padilla, and Mariah Pon, organizers of the Student Arts Guild, prepare for a Club Rush event.
Submissions now open for Berkeley City College student-run art show
October 21, 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
Graphic made in Canva
Dial Tones and Disengagement: A student election marked by silence
October 16, 2025
Graphic of a student journalist, using a rolled up newspaper to break the ribbon of silence.
The Citizen will not “take down” the truth
October 4, 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
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
A graffitied sign at the Oakland entrance of the Coast Guard Island near Alameda, CA on October 23, 2025.

District warns of anticipated federal immigration enforcement “surge” in East Bay

Peralta’s email affirmed “the right of all to receive a college education, including individuals lacking immigration credentials” at its colleges.
Ivan Saravia, News Editor
October 23, 2025
Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson speaking to a crowd of Peralta employees during the fall 2025 District FLEX Day at Merritt College in Oakland, CA on Aug. 15, 2025.

Big changes may be coming to Peralta. Here’s the plan so far

The Citizen breaks down what is currently known about the district’s transformation plan, including the creation of dedicated "taskforces" and a glimpse into the proposed timeline for the “unification" of Merritt and Laney.
Ivan Saravia, News Editor
October 8, 2025
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
Peralta Community College District office sign from East 8th Street in Oakland, CA., on November 29, 2023.

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
Load More Stories
Donate to The Citizen
$0
$500
Contributed
Our Goal