{"id":29,"date":"2024-10-22T19:44:41","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T19:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/winter-2024-volume-7-issue-2\/dvc-celebrates-75-years-of-success\/"},"modified":"2024-11-13T21:58:08","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T21:58:08","slug":"75-years-of-success-how-dvc-transformed-the-lives-of-alumni-across-generations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dvc.mycareerfocus.org\/winter-2024-volume-7-issue-2\/75-years-of-success-how-dvc-transformed-the-lives-of-alumni-across-generations\/","title":{"rendered":"75 Years of Success: How DVC Transformed the Lives of Alumni Across Generations"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cDVC has had a profound impact on my life. In fact, DVC has been instrumental in the lives of so many of my close friends and family,\u201d said DVC alum Brandon Brookshire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brookshire joined the United States Air Force after graduating from high school. After his enlistment ended, he enrolled at DVC, using the education benefits awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brookshire received his associate in arts for transfer in economics, and completed his bachelor\u2019s degree at Cal State East Bay. He continued on, receiving an MS in quantitative economics and is now pursuing an MBA while working as a Relationship Credit Manager at Heritage Bank of Commerce.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brandon<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy experience at DVC enabled me to foster a strong network in the Mt. Diablo Region. I have nothing but unbridled optimism regarding the future success of this institution, and I look forward to another 75 years,\u201d said Brookshire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Catalyst for Transformation\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Jessie<\/p>\n

Jessie Badley overcame numerous\u00a0<\/span>barriers to get to where she is today and was proud to share her story with the DVC Alumni Association.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother spent much of my life in and out of prison, resulting in me growing up in and out of foster care,\u201d said Badley.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Badley attended 11 schools throughout her childhood. After turning 18, she discovered her passion for cooking and enrolled in DVC\u2019s culinary arts program, earning multiple certificates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy time at DVC was transformative, as it was my first truly positive educational experience,\u201d said Badley.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Badley worked in pastry for nine years, but was disappointed after her requests for a raise were denied. She returned to DVC to transition to a new career.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile taking prerequisites for the dental hygiene program, I encountered Professor Dan Seth in my human anatomy class. He left a lasting impression on me, encouraging me to aim higher academically,\u201d said Badley.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Badley chose to pursue a career in chemistry, transferring to UC Davis for her bachelor\u2019s degree in biochemistry. Today, she is a rising candidate for her PhD in pharmacology and toxicology.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDVC was the catalyst for my transformation. Without DVC, I wouldn\u2019t be where I am today, immersed in academia, eager to learn, and grateful for the opportunities I\u2019ve been afforded,\u201d said Badley.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From Humble Beginnings to a Premier Institution<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Diablo Valley College traces its beginnings to 1949, when it launched as East Contra Costa Junior College. The college was created to serve WWII veterans returning home, eventually moving to its present Pleasant Hill location in 1952 and adopting the name Diablo Valley College in 1958.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The college expanded to a second location in San Ramon, and now serves nearly 25,000 students annually. DVC is known as one of the most reliable transfer institutions within the state of California, but the college has numerous other achievements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost people don\u2019t know how many programs we have to help people get up and running quickly to upskill or enter the workforce,\u201d said Jim Blair, Director of College Advancement at DVC.<\/span><\/p>\n

DVC Changes Lives<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Blair has heard many stories about DVC\u2019s impact across the Bay Area and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMention DVC at any meeting you attend in the area, and someone will have had a life-changing story to tell about their own experience here or know someone who did,\u201d said Blair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Douglas Phenix can count himself amongst those storytellers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBefore arriving at DVC, I had dropped out of two community colleges and had been on academic probation. I ended up working at a grocery store, and was in a place of uncertainty, with a lack of passion and vision. My god-sister was attending DVC at the time, so I decided to enroll,\u201d said Phenix.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Douglas<\/p>\n

Phenix credits DVC for helping him discover his love for higher education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI worked in the Student Life office as well as EOPS. I got to see first-hand the power of community and support given to students. It was truly the \u2018community\u2019 of community college,\u201d said Phenix.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Phenix earned a certificate in graphic design at DVC, he discovered a new career goal that resulted from his overall student experience, culminating in his decision to work in higher education as a counselor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a DVC EOPS peer advisor, I met with students one-on-one and was able to connect with them through their stories,\u201d said Phenix.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Phenix transferred to Cal State East Bay where he earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in sociology, followed by a master\u2019s in counseling at Saint Mary\u2019s College of California.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, he is back on campus as an adjunct counselor and co-coordinator for the Tembo Leaders learning community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere my life is and has been since going to DVC, I have experienced so much that I would not have. I have had family members attend DVC as well and seen it propel their life and career to amazing heights,\u201d said Phenix.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Perfect First Step to a Thriving Career<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Matthew<\/p>\n

Matthew P. Guichard feels that community college is the perfect first step to higher education, especially due to the rising cost of four-year universities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great start for students, particularly for those like me who weren\u2019t sure what to focus on in college,\u201d said Guichard.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Guichard completed his general education at DVC, and then transferred to California State University, Chico for his bachelor\u2019s degree. He studied law at the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific and was admitted to the California Bar in 1982. Today, Guichard is the founder and senior partner of Guichard Teng & Garrett, a law firm based in Walnut Creek. He is also the Chair of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Guichard remembers his time at DVC fondly, and has found himself on campus since, but in a different capacity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve served as a visiting lecturer at DVC, Cal State East Bay, and St. Mary\u2019s College of California. And while I was Deputy District Attorney for Contra Costa County, I taught police academy classes at DVC\u2019s sister college, Los Medanos College (LMC),\u201d said Guichard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Guichard encourages students to enroll at DVC prior to a four-year university.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had a wonderful experience there, and developed a great respect for DVC and the California Community College system of education,\u201d said Guichard.<\/span><\/p>\n

From DVC Student to District Chancellor<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Mojdeh<\/p>\n

Did you know that the Chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District is a DVC alum? It\u2019s true!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chancellor Mojdeh Mehdizadeh immigrated from Iran as a child, initially settling in Ogden, Utah with her family. They moved to Pleasant Hill a year later. She enrolled at DVC in 1987, and also worked in student jobs on campus. She transferred to San Francisco State University, earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in computer science, and then a master\u2019s degree in speech communications at Cal State East Bay. She continued working at DVC in various roles, and then began working for the district in 1998, later becoming the President of Contra Costa College.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy entire career being here, and then ultimately serving as a chancellor for the entire district, is beyond a dream,\u201d said Mehdizadeh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Source: Tori Pearson, Staff Writer \u2013 The DVC Inquirer:\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.dvcinquirer.com\/af\/2024\/09\/24\/from-child-of-iran-to-community-college-chancellor-a-dvc-story\/<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

DVC Fast Facts<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Over one and a half million students have attended DVC in the last 75 years, enabling them to forge remarkable career paths in 87 different fields. Some notable accolades:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n