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

The Citizen
A neon sign on the Laney College Tower building lights up at dusk. The Tower houses the offices of administrators, counselors, and other Laney employees.
Besikof Leaves Laney
March 19, 2025
The Board of Trustees listens intently as public comments are under way.
Peralta’s Board of Trustees vote to lay off 68 positions at 02/25 trustee meeting
March 15, 2025
On Jan. 30, 2025, the Trump Administration issued two executive orders focusing on restricting trans and non-binary people from accessing gender affirming care and spaces. These executive actions have raised questions within the LGBTQ+ community at Peralta about what the colleges are doing to protect their students.
LGBTQ+ students are feeling “fear and hesitation” under Trump. What’s Peralta doing about it?
March 14, 2025
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Merritt College updates its online resources for undocumented students after The Citizen finds outdated information from 2022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
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
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
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
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
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
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Editor in Chief

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna is a Bay Area local and Managing Editor of The Citizen, where she typically covers investigative stories within the Peralta Community College District. She is a fellow for the CalMatters College Journalism Network focusing on California higher education. Lylah is a returning student to the community college system after years of working in civil rights law and attaining her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from UC Davis. She is most passionate about uplifting the diverse voices of her hometown and holding local leaders accountable to their constituents. Lylah’s work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Student Press Law Center.

All content by Lylah Schmedel-Permanna
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

Up until Feb. 10, undocumented students seeking resources via Merritt’s website were not given the proper information for the state-mandated “Dreamer Liaison” at Merritt College.
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna
February 20, 2025
Professor Dr. James W. Reede Jr. lectures students on the environmental impacts of California policies in the seminar hall of the Black Honors College at Sacramento State University on Oct. 3, 2024. (Photo: Louis Bryant III/CalMatters)

Black California students want more support. A new law names colleges that serve them best

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna and Jasmin Shirazian
December 4, 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

American Straight A Academy advertised an asynchronous online pathway to California university admissions
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Managing Editor
October 30, 2024
The Citizen Investigates: International Travel

The Citizen Investigates: International Travel

PCCD spends $87k on overseas trips yet F-1 student population declines
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Managing Editor
July 25, 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
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
(Photo: Katrin Bolovtsova/Pexels)

PCCD public safety director Tim Thomas pleads no contest, receives six months probation for battery charge

PRA update: Thomas ‘did not apply/request to work remotely’ on day of DUI/concealed carry charge, district says
Lylah Schmedel, Managing Editor
March 13, 2024
(Photo: Citizen Staff)

PCCD public safety director placed on leave pending resignation

Announcement comes hours after recent court hearing for battery case
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Managing Editor
February 14, 2024
(Photo: @tapanakorn/Canva)

Thomas hearing rescheduled due to outstanding arrest warrant

Warrant stems from Thomas' failure to appear for Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Managing Editor
February 13, 2024
(Photo: QuinceCreative/Pixabay)

New movement in public safety director’s criminal cases

Tim Thomas convicted on DUI, new hearing set for battery case
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Investigations Editor
December 22, 2023
(Graphic by Li Khan/The Citizen. Photo: Feng Yu/Shutterstock)

The Citizen Investigates: PCCD Vendor High Performance Learning Environments

The construction consulting firm has ties to two past controversies at school districts in Southern California surrounding allegations of bribery and fraud.
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna and Li Khan
December 12, 2023
Spring is free... again!

Spring is free… again!

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Investigations Editor
November 28, 2023
Tammeil Gilkerson answering a question at a public forum held on Oct 25

[Photo] The Citizen endorses Tammeil Gilkerson for PCCD Chancellor; Rudy Besikof strong runner up

The Citizen Editorial Board
October 28, 2023
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

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Investigations Editor
November 6, 2023
Thomas hearing set, new charges unveiled

Thomas hearing set, new charges unveiled

Jan 30 arrest includes DUI, refusal to test, and firearm charges according to CHP
Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Investigations Editor
October 17, 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
Peralta public safety director seeks court diversion for criminal charges

Peralta public safety director seeks court diversion for criminal charges

Trustees approve decision to reclassify his position
Lylah Schmedel, Staff Writer
September 4, 2023
Students raise concerns about facilities and staff levels at the “Laney Students Listening Forum”

Students raise concerns about facilities and staff levels at the “Laney Students Listening Forum”

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Staff Writer
May 17, 2023
CA bill would alter Brown Act requirements for elected student representatives at California Community Colleges

CA bill would alter Brown Act requirements for elected student representatives at California Community Colleges

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Staff Writer
May 1, 2023
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