Laney College is proud to celebrate a landmark achievement by The Citizen’s co-editor in chief, Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, who has been selected as one of only three national IRE/ProPublica fellows. The prestigious fellowship includes an all-expenses-paid trip to the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Conference this June in New Orleans, where Lylah will join a select group of journalists from across the country.
Laney Journalism Student Earns National Fellowship & Full Ride
May 20, 2025 1:57:03 PM / by Chanda Brewer -->
EOPS Student Profile – Hameed Alghaithi
May 20, 2025 1:45:18 PM / by Johnathan Freeman -->
Meet Hameed Alghaithi, a Berkeley City College student following his dreams with the help of EOPS!
The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is a state-funded program designed to provide support services to low-income and academically-disadvantaged students to become successful in college. EOPS is available to assist students with support services like early registration, academic counseling, career guidance, tutoring, book grants, transfer assistance, and tons more.
Meet Nani Perry from the Berkeley City College Umoja Community
May 19, 2025 12:29:22 PM / by Johnathan Freeman -->
Nani Perry shares her supportive experience from Umoja Community, which focuses on the African American Diaspora and others who are interested in the African American Diaspora. She states that Umoja provides students with college tours, conferences, and resources, and helps students choose their classes.
“You Scholars are the Rising Sun”: Honoring Students at the PAAAA Scholarship Reception
May 9, 2025 2:14:08 PM / by Mark Johnson -->
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, on a glorious spring day in Oakland, we kicked off “Smile Season” and the month-long celebration of student successes throughout the district. Following the tradition of Libations by Kimm Blackwell, Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson warmly welcomed attendees to the Peralta Association of African American Affairs (PAAAA) Scholarship Awardee Reception, expressing her joy in celebrating the extraordinary student scholars. She began by acknowledging and thanking the PAAAA Scholarship Committee for their dedication in making the event possible.
Nick Arata Awarded Ozzie Day Scholarship
May 1, 2025 3:35:28 PM / by Johnathan Freeman -->
Nick Arata remembers watching car repair programs on TV with his grandfather when he was growing up. He always wanted to know how things work and how to fix them when they broke. He started taking Auto classes at COA right out of high school.
Meet Pauel Kniha from Laney College Construction Management
Apr 28, 2025 9:57:13 AM / by Johnathan Freeman -->
Pauel Kniha shares his experience with the Construction Management Program at Laney College. He emphasizes that Laney is a unique college that offers classes specifically for construction management. He states that there are outstanding professors who are professionals in their fields, and great staff assistants who help students. He is glad to be at Laney, and encourages everybody who is considering coming to Laney for their education to do so.
Celebrating 55 Years of EOPS – Alumni Testimonials
Apr 25, 2025 3:12:01 PM / by Johnathan Freeman -->
Editor’s Note: 2025 marks the 55th anniversary of EOPS. Students and alumni from each of the Peralta Colleges shared stories with the Board of Trustees at their April 8, 2025 meeting, and we will be sharing student and alumni stories about their EOPS experiences throughout the rest of the Spring 2025 semester.
EOPS Student Profile – David Zheng
Apr 22, 2025 12:13:18 PM / by Johnathan Freeman -->
Meet David Zheng, a Laney College EOPS alum! The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is a state-funded program designed to provide support services to low-income and academically-disadvantaged students to become successful in college. EOPS is available to assist students with support services like early registration, academic counseling, career guidance, tutoring, book grants, transfer assistance, and tons more.
Black Student Success Week is Here!
Apr 21, 2025 3:57:51 PM / by Mark Johnson -->
Welcome to Black Student Success Week, which is April 21-25, 2025. The state-wide theme this year is "Lift Up. Level Up. The Rise of Black-Serving Institutions." There are events happening all week both here at the colleges and online.
Peralta International Student Receives $5,000 Scholarship
Apr 21, 2025 2:27:09 PM / by Johnathan Freeman -->
The Office of International Education is proud to have selected Liam Bailey as the recipient of the Sir Cyril Taylor Memorial Scholarship. Liam is an amazing and talented College of Alameda student who is studying Accounting.

