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Merritt College updates its online resources for undocumented students after The Citizen finds outdated information from 2022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 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
Luke Wrin Piper

Luke Wrin Piper, Consulting Editor

Luke Wrin Piper began writing for The Citizen in 2019. Starting at the sports desk, his focus has expanded into politics, art, activism, crime and all the ways they intersect here in the 510. The people and culture of the East Bay have never failed to fascinate him and he hopes to bottle that local lightning for The Citizen. He thinks there’s never been a better time to be alive, especially for journalists.

All content by Luke Wrin Piper
Kevin Jenkins: From School Trustee to the Town Stump

Kevin Jenkins: From School Trustee to the Town Stump

Luke Wrin Piper, Consulting Editor
February 22, 2022
Return to campus begins smoothly, despite omicron concerns and rumors of sickout

Return to campus begins smoothly, despite omicron concerns and rumors of sickout

Luke Wrin Piper, Consulting Editor
January 27, 2022
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
Grand Jury follows up on accusations of misgovernance at Peralta

Grand Jury follows up on accusations of misgovernance at Peralta

Luke Wrin Piper, Editor in Chief
June 22, 2021
At public forums, three chancellor candidates vie for district’s top position 

At public forums, three chancellor candidates vie for district’s top position 

Pamela Rudd, David Rowe, and Luke Wrin Piper
June 3, 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
Dr. Carla Walter, Interim Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District (PCCD), unexpectedly resigned her position today citing “personal reasons” and listing her accomplishments over the past 8 months. The resignation will take effect April 15. (Photo courtesy of PCCD's YouTube channel.)

Interim Chancellor Carla Walter resigns

Interim Chancellor steps down after eight months on the job, cites 'personal reasons'
Jacquelyn Opalach, David Rowe, and Luke Wrin Piper
March 17, 2021
Sign reading "Students 1st - Stop Downsizing CCSF" on display at Civic Center Park in San Francisco, CA during the March 12, 2021 "Defend Our City College" demonstration. (Photo by Luke Wrin Piper/The Citizen)

CCSF faculty, students protest pink slips

CCSF community decries cuts, while Peralta prepares for June accreditation decision
Luke Wrin Piper, Managing Editor
March 16, 2021
Board of Trustees Brief: COVID, Enrollment & Chancellor Search Timeline

Board of Trustees Brief: COVID, Enrollment & Chancellor Search Timeline

Luke Wrin Piper and Moamar Abdelrahman
March 5, 2021
Peralta Athletics confronts the changing colors of COVID

Peralta Athletics confronts the changing colors of COVID

William Ink and Luke Wrin Piper
February 28, 2021
Laney Faculty Senate votes to censure President Besikof

Laney Faculty Senate votes to censure President Besikof

Senate moves ahead with resolution during special meeting
Luke Wrin Piper, Managing Editor
February 13, 2021
COVID-19 testing starts then stops at Laney Fieldhouse

COVID-19 testing starts then stops at Laney Fieldhouse

Curative kiosk abruptly 'paused,' leaving students and staff with questions
Luke Wrin Piper, Managing Editor
January 22, 2021
Board of Trustees change of guard facing difficult 2021

Board of Trustees change of guard facing difficult 2021

Heartfelt and tumultuous meeting, a fitting end to the year
Luke Wrin Piper, News Editor
December 10, 2020
Word at the polls

Word at the polls

Here's how East Bay voters were feeling on Election Day
Christy Price, Luke Wrin Piper, William Ink, Menel Raach, Ryan Barba, and Veronica Steiner
November 8, 2020
“Scott Strain sits happily with a cell phone and coffee at a coffee shop in Seattle, WA” Photo Courtesy of Mollie Brown

Remembering Scott Strain: Journalism Instructor and Mentor

Ryan Barba and Luke Wrin Piper
November 7, 2020
Dyana Delfín Polk is running unopposed for the Area 6 seat on the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees. (Photo courtesy of Dyana Delfín Polk)

Dyana Delfín Polk set to be next Area 6 Peralta Trustee

Trustee-to-be plans to be involved, 'accessible' leader
Luke Wrin Piper, News Editor
October 2, 2020
Kevin Jenkins is running for the Area 2 seat on the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees unopposed. (jenkinsforperalta.com)

Kevin Jenkins to be next Peralta Trustee for Area 2

Peralta alum, former health commissioner to replace Meredith Brown
Luke Wrin Piper, News Editor
October 1, 2020
Drag queen Orphan Fortune begins her routine on the Laney quad, Nov. 14. (Photo by Ryan Barba/The Citizen)

Talent share at Laney reignites campus vibe

Performing Arts Club showcases immense community talent
Ryan Barba and Luke Wrin Piper
November 21, 2019
Photo by Scott Barkley, courtesy of Flickr

Word on the Quad — The cost of required reading

Farhad Golriz, Luke Wrin Piper, and Jalaya Briggs
November 4, 2019
Nonprofit leads “Know Your Rights” workshop for Undocumented Student Week of Action

Nonprofit leads “Know Your Rights” workshop for Undocumented Student Week of Action

Ryan Barba and Luke Wrin Piper
November 1, 2019
Chancellor finalists attend series of public forums at Peralta

Chancellor finalists attend series of public forums at Peralta

Candidates Reece, Stanback Stroud solicit support from community as deadline for selecting new chancellor approaches
Luke Wrin Piper, Staff Writer
September 24, 2019
Under threat of insolvency, Peralta leaders to appear before Board of Governors

Under threat of insolvency, Peralta leaders to appear before Board of Governors

Luke Wrin Piper, Staff Writer
September 16, 2019
Bernie Rallies His Base in Downtown San Francisco

Bernie Rallies His Base in Downtown San Francisco

Senator Bernie Sanders holds town hall meeting to hear concerns and reveal plan for student debt
Luke Wrin Piper, Staff Writer
September 6, 2019
Da’ja Archer (second from right) runs the third leg of the 4x400 meter relay, at the CCCAA NorCal Finals. The Laney team finished in fourth place. Photo by Luke Wrin Piper.

Sophomores run last races in Modesto

Laney team competes and excels at Northern California Track an Field Championships
Luke Wrin Piper, Staff Writer
May 16, 2019
Laney sprinter Jasmine McNary outruns all competition and wins the 400 meters at the Coast Conference State Championships. McNary is a returning sophomore who excels in sprint and middle distance events.

Laney runners come out on top in competition

Luke Wrin-Piper, Staff Writer
May 13, 2019
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