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

The Citizen

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

The Citizen

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

The Citizen

Romi Bales

Romi Bales, Copy Editor

Romi Bales (they/them) is a Bay Area transplant, originally from San Diego. They are a first-year Copy Editor and second-year staff writer with The Citizen and have worked as an editor and writer for several academic publications including Humble Pie Literary Magazine, The Production Online Newspaper, and Inscribe Writing and Visual Anthology. They received a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Writing and Literature from the California College of the Arts in 2020. In their free time Romi enjoys reading and writing fiction novels, learning about the environment, and traveling around the world.

All content by Romi Bales
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

The program supplies students with materials, grants, food vouchers, and a safe community.
Romi Bales, Copy Editor
September 19, 2025
As a part of a tour of visits and study sessions at all four Peralta campuses, the Board of Trustees made their final stop at the College of Alameda.

April 22 Board Brief: College of Alameda highlights its academic programs and district enrollment trends

The college invited the Board of Trustees and the public to review its accomplishments
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

Nearly 10 years since the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights mandated their renovation, Laney's locker rooms remain in disrepair.
Eliot Faine and Romi Bales
March 31, 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?

Each college acknowledged a desire to protect queer students, but institutional approaches have varied.
Romi Bales, Staff Writer
March 14, 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

Rolling river of emotion engulfs audience with a story of love, betrayal, and heartbreak
Romi Bales, Staff Writer
December 8, 2024
Paulina Gonzalez-Brito shares a laugh with The Citizen staff during the publication's public forums held Sep. 23. Area 2 voters re-elected Gonzalez-Brito this month, according to unofficial results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Paulina Gonzalez-Brito to retain Area 2 seat

Incumbent trustee prepares to tackle finance, facilities
Romi Bales, Staff Writer
November 24, 2024
The newly reopened Laney Cafeteria, packed with students, faculty, and staff, now offers burgers, salads, sandwiches and more.

Four years later, Laney Cafeteria reopens without free meals

Paid offerings include hot bar, grill, grab-and-go items
Romi Bales, Staff Writer
September 20, 2024
PCCD offices. (Photo: Li Khan/The Citizen)

Board bears down on budget at 6/11 meeting

District faces $11.2 million deficit
Romi Bales and Li Khan
July 10, 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
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