Jordan Davis explored multiple community colleges before choosing Diablo Valley College. It was a meeting with Football Coach, Mike Darr, that convinced Jordan that DVC was the right place to achieve his goals. “When he told me to come meet him at the school it felt like home from the moment I stepped on campus.”
An international student’s journey from abroad to belonging—discover how DVC helped him find purpose, community and a place to call home.
Following his graduation from San Ramon Valley High School in June of 2022, Humza Madinawala found himself at a crossroads.
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.
Alexander Tran spent five years working as a computer systems engineer but felt he needed to make a change.
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.
As a struggling high school student Kortney Stern had a hard time picturing herself ever attending college let alone someday earning a PhD. But that's exactly what unfolded for this first-generation college graduate who attributes DVC with her rewarding career direction, her confidence to earn advanced degrees and her success as a college instructor.