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

The Citizen
Abdul Pridgen sits down for a chat with The Citizen regarding public safety, how Peralta's security model currently works, and his plans for a new model.
Interview and security updates with Peralta’s Interim Executive Director of Public Safety Abdul Pridgen
March 1, 2025
A sign reading 'No human is illegal' in the R-building at Merritt College. As of Jan. 21, ICE agents are now permitted on college campuses.
Merritt College updates its online resources for undocumented students after The Citizen finds outdated information from 2022
February 20, 2025
SEIU 1021 members carry protest signs decrying planned layoffs among Peralta employees. The district recently announced its intent to cut 68 positions across several departments, 44 of which are currently filled.
Proposed layoffs condemned during public comment at 2/11 Peralta trustee meeting
February 20, 2025
(Photo by Li Khan/The Citizen)
PCCD to hold hearing on proposed layoffs
February 10, 2025
Faculty, classified employees, and administrators convened Friday to share ideas for how to repair the district's financial crisis in the long term. The district needs to make at least $11.5 million in cuts next year, but officials say a significant "reimagining" of the district is necessary to sustain the district in the long run.
PCCD is in crisis. Everything is on the table
February 1, 2025
New CoA President wants to be a role model for students
New CoA President wants to be a role model for students
December 12, 2024
Laney's student body president, Frida Veliz, wants to help connect students to the resources she didn't have access to when she first started college.
New ASLC President Builds Community
December 11, 2024
Cheryl Lew has been an instructor in the Culinary Arts department since 2012 and was tenured in 2015. Her focus is on baking and pastries.
Multi-layered, highly decorated pastry chef Cheryl Lew brings culture and chemistry to Laney’s culinary department
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.
Robot soccer teaches students nuts and bolts of engineering
November 26, 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
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
A seven-year relationship ends in a tumultuous fight in Jeffrey Lo's "A Kind of Sad Love Story," performed live at the Laney Theater last month. Shown: Maya Wooten, Jesse Savoey
‘It started with an argument about bags’: Laney Theater performs A Kind of Sad Love Story
December 8, 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
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
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
Leticia Luna

Leticia Luna, Editor in Chief

Leticia is a Brazilian living in the Bay Area. Her interests range from environment to education, and living abroad since 2013 has given her the opportunity to explore and learn about many cultures — so her interest in cultural diversity has only grown. In Brazil, she has taught English and studied education, now she is pursuing an English degree and hopes to continue learning and exploring the world. Her belief in communicating the truth has led her to this journalism class. Leti is also a National Parks enthusiast and loves to use her camera to photograph landscapes and wildlife. On her off time, you can find Leti on hiking trails around the Bay Area or on long road trips with her friends.

All content by Leticia Luna
Peralta Public Safety Director cited by Oakland Police Department

Peralta Public Safety Director cited by Oakland Police Department

District stands behind Tim Thomas following a 'convoluted incident' on 5th Avenue
David Rowe and Leticia Luna
May 12, 2022
Merritt College President David Johnson enjoys serving his community and says he is in here to stay

Merritt College President David Johnson enjoys serving his community and says he is in here to stay

Johnson wants to retire as president if given the chance
Leticia Luna, Editor in Chief
May 3, 2022
The Citizen staff wins Society of Professional Journalists’ James Madison Freedom of Information Award

The Citizen staff wins Society of Professional Journalists’ James Madison Freedom of Information Award

Peralta Community College District’s only student-run publication was awarded for its transparency and consistency in reporting on Peralta’s security transitions
Leticia Luna, Editor in Chief
March 23, 2022
Angélica Garcia: Afable, Carismática, y Latina

Angélica Garcia: Afable, Carismática, y Latina

Leticia Luna and Maria Gomez Castro
December 13, 2021
Marina security guards lack basic communication equipment

Marina security guards lack basic communication equipment

Many unarmed guards must use their personal cell phones to communicate with supervisors
David Rowe, Luke Wrin Piper, and Leticia Luna
October 27, 2021
A Letter to Peralta

A Letter to Peralta

Questions Have Been Raised About Our Work
Leticia Luna and Luke Wrin Piper
October 22, 2021
Vax mandate looms with shifting deadlines and upcoming Town Hall

Vax mandate looms with shifting deadlines and upcoming Town Hall

Conflicting messaging adds to confusion
Luke Wrin Piper, Leticia Luna, Gretchen Zimmermann, and Ulysses Smith
September 29, 2021
The Citizen presents: "On Campus During COVID-19: The Laney College Carpentry Department"

The Citizen presents: “On Campus During COVID-19: The Laney College Carpentry Department”

Leticia Luna, Social Media Editor
May 7, 2021
Peralta Board of Trustees announce Dr. Jannett Jackson as new Interim Chancellor 

Peralta Board of Trustees announce Dr. Jannett Jackson as new Interim Chancellor 

Board approves new Interim Chancellor in 7-0 vote during Tuesday’s meeting
Leticia Luna, Pamela Rudd, and Luke Wrin Piper
March 23, 2021
Anita Black memorialized with high praise and scholarship

Anita Black memorialized with high praise and scholarship

Longtime pillar of Merritt community remembered by colleagues
Leticia Luna, Social Media Editor
February 27, 2021
Rudy Besikof poses for a picture on Friday, December 11th during a Zoom interview with The Citizen. (Photo by Leticia Luna/The Citizen)

Dr. Rudy Besikof set to lead at Laney

New president brings familiar face to 2021
Leticia Luna, Staff Writer
January 12, 2021
Nathaniel Jones III poses for a photo during an interview with The Citizen on his second day as president at the College of Alameda on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. (Leticia Luna/The Citizen)

A conversation with the College of Alameda’s new president

Leticia Luna, Staff Writer
December 30, 2020
Peralta community spreads virtual holiday cheer

Peralta community spreads virtual holiday cheer

Leticia Luna, Staff Writer
December 18, 2020
College of Alameda Library is closed due COVID-19 in Alameda, Calif. on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (Photo by Leticia Luna/The Citizen)

Campuses are closed, but their libraries aren’t: Where to find library resources

Peralta librarians talk ups and downs of working online
Leticia Luna, Staff Writer
October 13, 2020
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