This marks the best performance in the school’s history and the best performance on record for any Northern California team at the Phi Rho Pi National Championships. The tournament awards “Gold” award to the top two schools in each entry size category, putting Diablo Valley College (DVC) second overall in the Large School division.
For DVC graduate Abel Anguiano, community college seemed like a great way to transfer to a four-year university. What he didn’t expect, and simultaneously gained, was the start of an exciting career in the sports media field.
After earning an AS degree in Dental Hygiene from DVC, Rachel worked as a dental hygienist and earned an additional license as an Alternative Practice Hygienist.
This marks not only the first time in DVC’s history that the team has won the State Championship, but also the first time for any school in Northern California in more than 45 years.
Andrea Madison had worked in retail management and hospitality for many years, but something nagged at her. She had always dreamt of becoming a writer. Just before her 30th birthday, Madison decided she was ready to make a change and pursue her life-long passion. She enrolled at DVC as a journalism major.
While attending Ygnacio Valley High School, Ivan Hernandez learned about DVC’s award-winning transfer programs. After hearing that he could complete two years of classes at the college and receive dedicated support with transferring to a university to finish his bachelor’s degree, he was sold. “I found out that DVC provides lots of different resources to students to pursue higher education. It became clear that it’s a great place to learn and explore.”
Even though Manny and Martha had different reasons for attending college at different life stages, this grandson and grandmother duo are thriving at DVC.
The DVC Pre-Apprenticeship program introduces students to skilled trade careers that offer high wages, union benefits and long-term stability.
The support Guydon-Off received inspired him to help other students have a more positive experience, leading him to become a student ambassador for DVC. “I helped students apply and register for classes. In addition to working with students who recently completed high school, I also helped adults who were returning to college or starting college for the first time. I assisted students who spoke a language other than English. I helped mothers with children, adults wanting a career change, and unhoused people seeking opportunity. I experienced the diversity of the student body, as well as the sacrifices people made to be able to enroll in college,” said Guydon-Off.
“Growing up in a single-parent home, I often felt the sting of economic uncertainty. Watching my mother struggle financially and my father struggle with past addiction, I knew I had to find a long-term career. I thought that would be the Army until I became ill and was honorably discharged due to my heart condition. I came up with a new plan and got to work,” said Adrienne Navarro, who completed her associate in science in allied health at DVC