Campus News

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...

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...

A simpler way to transfer: Meet the new Cal-GETC pathway

Good news for students planning to transfer to a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) institution: The state has simplified general education requirements so that they are the same for both CSU and UC. Students now have one pathway that works for both university systems. This is a change from the past, when the requirements for a CSU were slightly different than the requirements for a UC. According to Delta’s 2025-26 course catalog, “the goal is to improve transfer efficiency and shorten time-to-degree completion.” "Cal-GETC is more equitable because it creates a single general education pathway for California Community College students transferring to either the CSU or UC system," said Raichelle Strickland, transfer and articulation officer at Delta College. "In the past, students had to choose between two different general education patterns, which often caused confusion or required extra classes if transfer plans changed. With Cal-GETC, there’s now one unified pattern that works for both systems, making it easier to plan your education and stay on track toward graduation and transfer." The details The new pathway is known as “Cal-GETC” and it replaces a pathway known as “IGETC.” You can find information about the Cal-GETC pathway, including...

Delta College announces 89th annual Commencement

STOCKTON - San Joaquin Delta College will celebrate its 89th annual Commencement ceremony this Thursday, May 16, with close to 900 students expected to attend and be celebrated for their hard work and perseverance. A total of 2,696 Delta College students have applied for graduation in 2023-24, seeking a total of 2,930 degrees and 808 certificates. “Our graduates have encountered many challenges during their academic journey, but they stayed the course,” said Delta College Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson. “They may have been the caregiver for children or family members, or worked several jobs. They may have experienced challenges putting food on the table or finding secure housing. They may have faced health problems. “Even with these responsibilities and challenges, our graduates pressed on and their achievement shows tremendous resilience, commitment, focus, and courage.” Thursday’s ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at the Adventist Health Arena. For more details, visit deltacollege.edu/commencement. Read on for the stories of two special speakers who will be featured during this year’s Commencement. Student Speaker Cheyanne Gaines Cheyanne Gaines isn’t a mom, exactly, but as the oldest daughter in a family raised mostly by her father, the 22-year-old Delta student has been a motherly figure for...

Professor Cirian Villavicencio appointed to state Board of Governors

STOCKTON -- Delta College Political Science Professor Cirian Villavicencio has been appointed to the California Community College Board of Governors, a significant opportunity to advocate for nearly 2 million students at 116 colleges across the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Dr. Villavicencio’s appointment late Wednesday, along with that of Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, a trustee serving the Kern Community College District in Bakersfield. "I am deeply humbled to be appointed by Governor Newsom to this important governing board,” Dr. Villavicencio said. “I will assume one of two faculty seats on the board and will help represent and elevate the voices of 1.9 million California community college students, as well as 56,000 of my fellow faculty colleagues. While our system faces many challenges from artificial intelligence to closing equity gaps among our underserved and disproportionately impacted students, I know there are many opportunities to improve our system and the lives of our students.” Dr. Villavicencio has over 18 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...

From student to professor: She's showing them the way

Not long ago, Lulu Sanchez was an anxious teenager wandering the halls of Franklin High School, an undocumented immigrant living in a tough neighborhood in a tough town, wondering if her past might derail her future. It was only 12 years ago, to be exact. Now she’s back. She’s back, this time as a college professor. With a master’s degree. With a house, and a family of her own. And a story that reminds Franklin students every day of their limitless potential. “I was once in your seat,” she tells them, again and again. And it’s quite literally true. Delta College Professor Lourdes “Lulu” Sanchez now teaches a business class at Franklin, her alma mater. It’s what’s known as a dual enrollment class, an opportunity for high school students to earn college credits, on their own campus, for free. This is her first semester as a college professor. Sometimes it seems little has changed since she graduated from Franklin. Mrs. James, her old English teacher, still teaches a few doors down the hall. Her track coach is still here, too. Little has changed. But everything has changed. *** It’s 8:30 a.m., and Lulu’s classroom slowly fills with students still rubbing...

Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson chosen as Delta College’s 12th superintendent/ president

STOCKTON -- The San Joaquin Delta College Board of Trustees has entered into contract discussions with Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson to become Delta’s 12th superintendent/president. She will be the first Latina and the first woman of color to serve in that role. A former English professor with nearly three decades of community college experience, Dr. Aguilera Lawrenson has been serving as Delta’s acting superintendent/president since September 2021.Lisa Lawrenson "I am truly honored to have been selected to serve Delta College and the community as its next superintendent/president," said Dr. Aguilera Lawrenson. "I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees, as well as community and campus leaders to provide excellence in education and workforce training in support of economic development in our region." “After a comprehensive search, Dr. Aguilera Lawrenson rose to the top,” said Board of Trustees President Dr. Charles Jennings. “Her background and experience have prepared her for the tremendous responsibility that lies ahead. She has proven her commitment to student learning and success. We really feel she’s the right person at the right time to move the college forward as we grow and serve our community." Dr. Aguilera Lawrenson has served in a variety of roles...

Commission reaffirms Delta College's accreditation

STOCKTON — The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges has voted to reaffirm Delta College's accreditation, underscoring the value of Delta and its commitment to continually improve and better serve thousands of students each year across the region. The June vote came after a team of experts from colleges across California reviewed Delta’s self-evaluation report, visited the College for three days in March, and recommended the reaffirmation of Delta’s accreditation. Peer-review accreditation is critical to the success of any college and its students. Accreditation assures the public that a college meets certain standards, that the education earned is of value to a student, and that employers and other colleges and universities can accept a student’s credentials as legitimate. "We are pleased and grateful that the Commission voted to reaffirm Delta's accreditation," said Superintendent/President Dr. Omid Pourzanjani. "The peer-review team of experts reviewed hundreds of pages of documents and spent many hours on Delta's campus meeting with College representatives. We are thankful for their diligence and for their findings, which confirm that while there is still work to be done, Delta is on the right track." The Commission found that Delta exceeds standards when it comes to creating and encouraging...

Delta College will compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize

Shelly Valenton (Stockton, CA) San Joaquin Delta College has been selected as one of only 150 institutions from a national list of over 1,000 community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The award is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance in America’s community colleges. Delta College will begin a rigorous competitive process that leads to awarding the prize in 2019. “The Aspen Prize recognition reflects positively on the Delta College’s commitment to educate and prepare students for the workforce,” said Superintendent/President Dr. Kathy Hart. “Delta College has a tremendous power to change lives. It’s great to see that the hard work of our faculty, staff and student achievement is being recognized by the Aspen Institute” The Aspen Prize is awarded every two years, and honors those institutions that strive for and achieve exceptional outcome levels of student success – while in college, and after they graduate. Delta College has been eligible to compete for the prize all five times since its inception in 2011. Ten finalists will be named from the list of 150 community colleges in Spring 2018. Teams of experienced researchers will join the Aspen Institute to...