April 12, 2021

Why students are not attending California's community colleges

The pandemic upended enrollment across California's community colleges. Students dropped out or elected not to enroll after facing problems with child care, jobs, family illness and frustration with taking courses online.

By Melanie Gerner, Abraham Navarro, Taylor Helmes, Iman Palm and Jasmine Nguyen

March 16, 2021

What I wish I told my high school self about depression

I never imagined having to deal with all of my struggles all at once.

Taylor Helmes

March 5, 2021

Why I must earn a college degree as a parent of a young child

Returning to community college was no easy feat as a single mother and first-generation, low-income college student.

Melanie Gerner

November 2, 2020

How college dreams helped me kick my habit

Once you realize that there is more to life than escaping your problems, the light at the end of the tunnel becomes a lot closer to reach.

Raven Brown

October 5, 2020

Homeless college students in California brace for more uncertainty 

When students realize that moving back home with family or friends is not an option, campus resources become lifeboats. Learning to tap into those resources by any means available becomes a crucial life skill for such students.

Marisa Martinez, Paula Kiley and Rachel Barnes

August 6, 2020

Why I choose to be a full-time student and essential worker

Balancing studies online and a heavier schedule at work can be overwhelming.

Iman Palm

July 28, 2020

Richmond area students talk about what they'll remember from this year of protest and Covid-19

West Contra Costa Unified students reflect on how their lives were affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Valeria Echeverria, Ronishlla Maharaj, Karina Mascorro, and David Sanchez

July 17, 2020

Richmond students talk about revising summer plans ruined by the pandemic

Jobs, vacations, gatherings with family and friends are all put on hold as they cope with Covid-19.

Valeria Echeverria, Ronishlla Maharaj, Karina Mascorro and David Sanchez

June 29, 2020

Some people called my community college trash, they were wrong

LA City College helped student realize dream of getting a degree.

Kilmer Salinas

June 15, 2020

From a graduating senior, advice to the class that follows

It is up to you whether this quarantine becomes a period of discovery or stagnation.

Brandon Tran

June 11, 2020

Richmond High School students speak out about protests and police brutality

Richmond High School students share their thoughts about police brutality and racism.

Ronishlla Maharaj

June 5, 2020

As a Latinx student, Black Lives Matter movement is my responsibility, too

Protests help college student realize her voice is important in quest for justice.

Marlene Cordova

June 3, 2020

Student perspectives: the pros and cons of distance learning

Distance learning has challenged students and teachers to create a new learning experience. As students in the West Contra Costa Unified School District in the San Francisco Bay Area describe, they faced challenges around learning and orders to stay at home.

Karina Mascorro, David Sanchez, Valeria Echeverria & Ronishlla Maharaj

June 1, 2020

College isn’t the same from behind a laptop screen

College graduate mourns loss of last semester on campus, commencement ceremony.

Bonnie Wong

May 29, 2020

How college graduates are choosing to celebrate, or not, amid a pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has forced college seniors to abandon the traditional celebrations and ceremonies associated with graduation.

Michael Burke and Marisa Martinez