STOCKTON – Four Delta College trustees were sworn in this week, officially launching or continuing their service on the College’s governing body.
Three of the trustees – Dan Wright, Dr. Catalina Piña, and Shelly Swanson – are new to the Board, while the fourth, Dr. Armando Valerio, was provisionally appointed to the Board in May 2024.
The three new trustees prevailed in the November election. Trustee Valerio ran unopposed for his seat.
"I'd like to congratulate trustees Wright, Swanson, Piña, and Valerio, and to sincerely thank them for their willingness to serve Delta College and our students," said Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson. "The Board of Trustees plays a critical oversight role at Delta, and I look forward to working with all of our trustees as we tackle many important issues in the coming year."
The Board also selected longtime trustee Janet Rivera to serve as Board president for the coming year.
“I’m excited to welcome our new Board members and am honored to take on the role of Board president in 2025,” Trustee Rivera said. “We have much work to do for our students and for the community, and I can’t wait to get started.”
About the new trustees
Trustee Shelly Swanson (Area 1, south Stockton and Weston Ranch)
A Stockton resident for more than two decades, Trustee Shelly Swanson has long been a supporter of Delta College. Her children attended preschool at the College and took dual enrollment classes while they were in high school. One finished the Pathway to Law program and another is enrolled in the electron microscopy program . Trustee Swanson’s husband, Dr. Wesley Swanson, has taught at the College for 24 years. Trustee Swanson has lobbied for state funds, advocated for disability support services, and supported employee bargaining units, among other things. She is a retired accountant by trade.
Trustee Dan Wright (Area 2, central Stockton)
Trustee Dan Wright brings 40 years of experience as an educator to the Delta College Board, including having previously served as acting superintendent of the Stockton Unified School District. Trustee Wright has lived in Stockton for more than 30 years and served on the Stockton City Council from 2015-2024. He holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a master’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles. In addition, he completed an administrative credential and doctoral coursework at the University of the Pacific. He has served on the steering committee for the Read to Me, Stockton early literacy initiative since it began in 2011.
Trustee Armando Valerio (Area 5, east San Joaquin County, Calaveras County, and southeastern Sacramento County)
A native of east Stockton, Trustee Armando Valerio’s educational journey began in Stockton schools and continued at Delta College, later culminating with his master’s and doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Pacific. With more than 30 years of professional experience, he currently manages San Joaquin Public Health Service’s Children’s Services Medical Therapy Program, which provides physical and occupational therapy treatment services for physically disabled children 0-21 years of age at 4 school sites throughout San Joaquin County . Trustee Valerio serves the community in a variety of ways, including sitting on the San Joaquin County Council of Governments Social Services Transportation Advisory, California Highway Patrol Citizens Advisory Board to the CHP commissioner, San Joaquin Delta College/LUAC Youth Leadership Conference, Shriners Northern California Denim& Diamonds fundraiser committees. He is also a Mexican Heritage Center Gallery Board Member.
Trustee Catalina Piña (Area 6, Tracy and Mountain House)
As an educator for 24 years and as a former first-generation community college student, Trustee Catalina Piña knows how vital college is. Trustee Piña transferred from community college to California Baptist University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree in educational administration at Cal State Los Angeles and a doctorate in educational leadership from Cal State Fullerton. Currently a high school Spanish teacher at the Tracy Unified School District, and having been involved with education at levels ranging from kindergarten to graduate school, Trustee Piña is dedicated to being a champion for every student regardless of their background or life circumstances.
