Campus News

Rep. Harder delivers $850,000 for Delta cybersecurity hub

MOUNTAIN HOUSE — Calling community colleges "the ladder to the middle class," U.S. Rep. Josh Harder this week formally presented Delta College with $850,000 in federal funding to support the creation of a new cybersecurity hub at the College's South Campus at Mountain House. The investment will build upon Delta's existing Cisco networking program and help expand training opportunities in one of the nation's fastest-growing and most in-demand fields. The College aims to position itself as the Central Valley's leader in cybersecurity education and workforce development, creating new pathways into high-paying careers for students and working adults. The cybersecurity hub is expected to feature simulation technology, cloud security environments, digital forensics tools, and other advanced training infrastructure designed to prepare students for real-world cybersecurity challenges. "As soon as I heard about Delta’s plans to expand cybersecurity, I thought, 'Oh my gosh, that is just going to be a perfect fit for Mountain House,'" said Rep. Harder. "There is so much good that is going to happen at Delta, especially at this Mountain House campus. I cannot be more excited to see how quickly this program is going to move forward." The funding arrives as Delta continues planning for a permanent...

Grad, 80, proves 'education has no expiration'

80-year-old Veronica Smith was rummaging around the house looking for something not long ago when she stumbled on her old Delta College transcripts. Curious, she thumbed through them. It had been more than 40 years since she'd been in college; she had accumulated 67 units but never quite earned a degree. With three kids and a career, life had gotten in the way. But she'd always thought: "Someday I'll go back." This week, Veronica will finally cross the stage at Delta College's 91st annual Commencement ceremony. She is the oldest member of the Class of 2026. And the best part: Her daughter, Virginia Ordaz, will graduate alongside her. "I want to motivate my grandkids," Veronica told KCRA. "All I want to do is encourage my family to get a college degree." After Veronica found her transcripts, she visited with a counselor who researched her case and realized she only needed three more classes to earn an associate degree. So she enrolled in Fall 2025. What she didn't know is that her daughter, who retired after a 25-year career in public safety, was also planning to enroll. They didn't find out they were both at Delta until the semester had already...

Adding up to a brighter future: Math Bridge

Nearly 50 math teachers and educators from across the region came together at Delta College this week with an ambitious goal: strengthening math success to open more doors for students. The event marked just the beginning of a complex conversation involving Delta College, high schools, and other partners. “It’s very important looking ahead at STEM careers to make sure that we are preparing students in mathematics,” said Delta College Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson. “We had a very in-depth discussion over math education, policy and pathways, and it was a really important conversation that we are going to continue in the fall.” Participants at “Bridges Over the Valley: Strengthening the K-20 Math Pipeline” discussed regional data on math outcomes, worked on plans to align math studies, and heard directly from students. The event was facilitated by College Bridge, an organization aiming to transform the K–16 educational system by identifying and eliminating barriers that prevent students from progressing to and through college. College Bridge has partnered with the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) to develop a Math Bridge model with up to seven colleges and their respective high schools in the Central Valley.

Cherry good news at the Manteca Farm

A new crop is taking root at the Manteca Farm, thanks to a partnership with the California Cherry Board. Approximately 1,400 cherry trees are being planted on a former alfalfa field. While it will take a few years for the trees to mature, they will ultimately give Delta College agriculture students hands-on experience with one of San Joaquin County’s top commodities. The Cherry Board helped fund the project, further diversifying the farm’s portfolio which already includes wine grapes, almonds, and hay. A ribbon cutting on Friday drew not only Delta employees but also members of the farming community, including the Cherry Board and the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation. "This is truly a milestone event for the college, for our students, and the cherry industry, not only in San Joaquin County but the state," said Donald Drake, manager of Delta's farm and longtime member of the California Cherry Board Research Committee. The addition of cherries will allow students to conduct applied research on commercial varieties while building real-world skills in irrigation management, pruning, and crop production. The goal is to further diversify the farm to reflect the region's agricultural diversity and give students the skills they'll need for local jobs...

Professor Cirian Villavicencio reappointed to state Board of Governors

STOCKTON -- Delta College Political Science Professor Cirian Villavicencio has been reappointed to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, continuing his advocacy for 2.2 million students at 116 colleges across the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Dr. Villavicencio’s reappointment on Monday. "I am honored to be reappointed by Governor Newsom to a second term as a faculty representative on the Board of Governors for the California Community Colleges,” said Dr. Villavicencio, who was first appointed in 2024. “As I continue this important work, I remain deeply committed to advancing student success while navigating emerging challenges, including the evolving role of artificial intelligence in higher education. I will also continue to support efforts to address global climate change, strengthen economic and workforce development initiatives, expand global and international education, and ensure that our most marginalized and vulnerable students have every opportunity to thrive.” Dr. Villavicencio has over 20 years of experience in higher education, and currently serves as professor and co-chair of the Department of Political Science. He has been active in local, state, and national politics, including serving as a staffer for the California Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus in the state Capital. He was elected twice as...

Champs! Delta captures first women's basketball state title

After three decades knocking on the door, the Delta College women's basketball program broke through in a big way on Sunday as the team earned its first-ever state championship. Delta has long been a juggernaut in the sport, with more than 800 wins under longtime Coach Gina Johnson, more than a dozen conference championships, and multiple final four and championship game appearances. And they've come oh-so-close to a state championship in the past, including the heartbreak of 2020 when COVID abruptly slammed the door on an elite Delta team. This time, though, nothing would get in the way. The win marks the first Delta College statewide team championship since baseball took the crown in 2018. "Words can't express how proud I am," Coach Johnson posted on Instagram following the comeback victory over MiraCosta College. "We were down by 24 points and came back like warriors... I'm the lucky one getting to coach these amazing women and watching them fulfill their dreams." Johnson was inducted into the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame a little over a year ago, and has often been recognized for what ABC10 called "three decades of dominance." Now, she and her players can add a championship to...

Fitch affirms Delta College’s financial strength

STOCKTON — In good news for local taxpayers, Fitch Ratings recently reaffirmed Delta College’s strong AA- credit rating and improved its overall outlook to “stable.” The announcement means Delta can sell its voter-approved Measure K bonds at lower interest rates, helping maximize taxpayer dollars. An AA- rating is Fitch’s second-highest category and signals “very high credit quality.” The improved outlook reflects Delta’s continued fiscal strength, including healthy reserves, stable-to-growing enrollment, and overall financial stability. The news comes as Delta College presses forward with the implementation of Measure K, a $598 million bond approved by voters in November 2024. The Board of Trustees has identified priority projects, and planning is well underway, with a parking lot repair project anticipated to break ground this summer. “This independent review highlights the careful financial stewardship of Delta College and the strong leadership of our Board of Trustees,” said Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson. “It shows the College is on solid footing as we move forward with improving our facilities and supporting students. We’re grateful to local taxpayers for their continued support.” “We take seriously the trust our community has placed in us,” said Board of Trustees President Dr. Charles Jennings. “This rating reflects careful...

A Real-Life Mr. Holland Moment

It's nearly impossible to say how many students Delta College Director of Bands M.J. Wamhoff has educated in his career of more than four decades, both at Delta College and at his previous institution, Santa Rosa Junior College. Suffice it to say, some of them have become band directors themselves, and they're still in touch after all these years. The California Band Directors Association recently honored Prof. Wamhoff with the David Goedecke Lifetime Achievement Award, with former students from as far away as Texas attending the ceremony. The best part: Friends and former students from across the state have commissioned a piece in Prof. Wamhoff's honor, which will be performed for the first time at the Delta College symphonic band concert on March 4 at 7 p.m. in Atherton Auditorium. The public is welcome to attend. And yes, he'll be conducting, in a scene right out of the Hollywood hit "Mr. Holland's Opus." "I was surprised and it's very touching," he said. "I never expected anything of the sort." The new piece, "The Hour of Pearl" by James David, is a musical representation of the hour between dawn and full daylight. The composer wrote it specifically for Prof. Wamhoff. He...

Delta College celebrates 100 years of Black History Month

For the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, the founders urge us to explore the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transformation of the status of Black peoples in the modern world. Here’s what’s happening at Delta College to commemorate this significant anniversary! Feb. 10-11: Black History Museum. Music/Games/Spoken Word. Come visit plays of art, visuals, music, and interactive activities that highlight African/Black/African American greatness throughout history. 12pm-2pm, Upper Danner Hall. More information: malika.hollinside@deltacollege.edu. Feb. 12: Unity March. Join us as we walk around Delta College’s campus to promote advancement and progression within the Black and African American community. 12pm-3:30pm, meet at Danner 204. Feb. 19: African Dance Workshop. Feel the rhythm. Share the energy. Move together! No dance experience required. 12:30pm, President’s Patio. Feb. 21: Black Businesses Unite! Come support the finest local and regional Black entrepreneurs. Free entry and parking. 12PM-3:30PM, Upper Danner Hall. More information: (209) 361-4944 or email Valerie.gnassounou@deltacollege.edu. Feb. 23: Zuzu African Acrobats live show. Education, Culture, Excitement. 12-1:30pm, Atherton Auditorium. Feb. 25: Vitiligo. A musical immersion with live band, hip hop, drumming, spoken word, and art. 12pm-2pm, Danner Hall. More information: malika.hollinside@deltacollege.edu. Feb. 27: Black History Nursing Information Session. Explore...

Made for today: Delta College launches new website built with students in mind

After more than a year of planning, collaboration, and development, Delta College today launched its newly redesigned website, a significant step toward telling a more compelling story about the College and helping students find the resources they need to succeed. The new site features a modern design, simplified navigation, and streamlined content that allows visitors to connect quickly with programs, services, and support. Built with students at its core, the website offers easier ways to discover academic pathways, locate key services, and access information on any device. Highlights of the redesign include: A clean, modern look with more white space, less clutter, and pages that are easier to read. A vastly improved mobile experience for the nearly 50% of visitors who browse on their phones. A degree finder tool that helps students explore programs based on their strengths and interests. An enhanced office directory to help students quickly find the departments and people they need. A new services directory with keyword search, eliminating the need to know which office provides a particular service. More visual, engaging content that showcases the energy and diversity of Delta College. An improved campus map to make navigating the College simpler than ever, highlighting key...

Delta group earns prestigious 'Freedom Fighter' award from NAACP branch

STOCKTON - In a powerful recognition of its work to support underrepresented students, Delta College’s Black Alliance for Student Empowerment (BASE) was presented with the 2025 Freedom Fighter award on Saturday by the Stockton branch of the NAACP. BASE, formerly known as the Black Faculty Task Force, received the award for its work bringing the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caravan to Delta. That event in early November connected hundreds of local students with institutions long celebrated for supporting and graduating Black scholars. Delta College Professor Raichelle Strickland, who served as one of the co-leads for the initiative, accepted the award on behalf of the group. “It truly means a lot to represent the work we’ve accomplished together,” Strickland said. “I also want to thank the NAACP for recognizing the importance of creating access and opportunity for our students and community.” Since 2020, BASE has focused on advocating for academic success, social justice, and equity at Delta College. The HBCU Caravan has become one of its most impactful efforts, offering students — many of whom cannot afford to travel across the country — the opportunity to meet directly with HBCU representatives, explore transfer pathways, and envision themselves thriving in a...