Campus News

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...

Home at last: Delta College athletes return to revitalized fields

With fist pumps, cheers, and applause, Delta College athletes and the Delta community celebrated a homecoming of a different sort on Saturday as Delta's athletics fields officially reopened following two years of extensive upgrades. The projects, funded by voter-approved Measure L tax dollars, include state-of-the-art football, softball, and baseball fields, as well as a new track, all comprising the Chase Chevrolet Athletic Complex. "Today we celebrate more than new turf, track, and fields," said Delta College Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson. "We celebrate an investment in student success, safety, and Mustang pride. Most of all, we celebrate our athletes returning home after two years of construction. "These facilities are a testament to our belief that athletics are not just about competition, but about teamwork, resilience, and excellence on and off the field." On the field, Delta athletics routinely finishes among the top California community colleges for overall athletic success, with both teams and individuals competing for state championships. "Now our exceptional athletes will have the facilities they deserve," Dr. Aguilera Lawrenson said. But Delta's student athletes also thrive off the field, with roughly half earning a 3.0 GPA or higher, roughly one-quarter earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher, abnd...

Better bee-lieve it! Delta College wins Trivia Bee

After decades participating in the the Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County's annual Trivia Bee, the Delta College team stung the competition and brought home first place at the Oct. 13 event. It's the first time in the 29-year history of the event that Delta College scored the top prize. Congratulations to thje winning team: Prof. Harry Mersmann; Prof. Chloe Brotherton; Prof. Becky Plaza; and Trustee Dan Wright "It was tight, we had some competition... but in the end, we pulled ahead, and we won," said Plaza, a Delta College counselor. "So we were very, very excited to represent San Joaquin Delta College and win." Will next year be the repeat performance? Bee there or bee square.

Delta College to hold 4th Annual Fierce’s Fall Fest in CTE-Land

Get Ready for Delta College’s 4th Annual “Fierce’s Fall Fest in CTE-Land” — K-pop style! Come to Delta College on Friday, Oct. 17 from 3-7 p.m. for a FREE, family-friendly Halloween celebration showcasing Career Technical Education programs with a K-pop twist. Whether you're channeling your inner idol or slaying spooky vibes, come dressed in your fiercest costume and enjoy: Safe, fun trick-or-treating Train rides Costume parade Arts and crafts Game zone Dance party Learning about career opportunities Networking with industry professionals FREE PARKING And of course, lots of candy Costumes and K-pop flair are highly encouraged! Don’t forget to invite your friends and neighbors! 🎟 Attendees can reserve their FREE tickets here: bit.ly/FiercesFallFest25 Additional Info By attending this event on our public campus, you consent to have your photo/likeness/recordings posted publicly and/or on social media. This event is sponsored by Career Technical Education (CTE) & Workforce Development Division, Delta College Foundation, and Directing Adults on the Right TrAC for Employment (DARTE).

'Voices of Change': Dolores Huerta inspires Delta College

As she walked across Delta College's campus toward Atherton Auditorium to speak to hundreds of students and employees, Dolores Huerta paused before a bronze plaque. It was the first time she had visited the Dolores Huerta Plaza, renamed in her honor years earlier. For event organizers and and admirers of the civil rights icon, this was a full-circle-round moment. They watched, some with smiles, some with tears, as she read the plaque that bore her name. The visit to the plaque highlighted an entire day of intense emotions as Huerta returned home, to Delta College, which she attended generations ago when it was known as Stockton College. Her message, however, was largely focused on the future, and what students and tomorrow's leaders can do to organize and make the world a better place. "I know sometimes people think, well, organizing, that's not very significant," she told The Record. "But when you think about it, and we think of all of the changes that we have made in our country... all of this came together because people organized. We can change everything when people come together and they take direct action.. this is how we make the change." Relive the experience...

'Every individual has the fundamental right to their identity,' trustees resolve

Delta College trustees on April 15, 2025 approved the following resolution "reaffirming (Delta's) support of undocumented and LGBTQIA+ students, and continuing to welcome, support and celebrate all as equal members of the college community and our broader society." Read the full resolution below: WHEREAS, shifts in national leadership and legislative priorities may lead to policy changes impacting the rights, protections, and well-being of undocumented and LGBTQIA+ individuals; and WHEREAS, the changing landscape of policies under the current administration of the U.S. federal government has created significant uncertainty, raising fears about the potential impact on students and their families; and WHEREAS, no human being is illegal and rhetoric suggesting otherwise serves to marginalize, stigmatize, and instill fear and anxiety in undocumented individuals; and WHEREAS, every individual has the fundamental right to their identity, including gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation as these are essential aspects of a person’s being; and WHEREAS, through the Dreamers Success Center and the Delta Pride Center at San Joaquin Delta Community College District, students have access to resources and support services that create an encouraging network and college community to ensure their success and wellbeing; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees adopted Resolution 21-21 in...

Trustees resolve to protect rights, dignity of all students

Delta College trustees on Dec. 17, 2024 approved the following resolution reaffirming Delta's designation as a sanctuary college, "committed to protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of all students." Read the full resolution here or below. Resolution of the Board of Trustees of San Joaquin Delta Community College Reaffirming Sanctuary College Status and Commitment to Immigrant Students and Community WHEREAS, San Joaquin Delta Community College (SJDC) has consistently demonstrated its commitment to inclusion, safety, and support for immigrant students through Board-adopted policies and resolutions, including Resolution No. 16-54 (2016), which affirmed the college’s role in providing educational opportunities for all; Resolution No. 16-77 (2017), which committed to maintaining a climate of inclusion and called for the preservation of DACA; and subsequent resolutions, such as Resolution Nos. 18-30, 19-08, 18-59, and 20-14, which reinforced SJDC’s dedication to supporting undocumented students through resources like the Dreamers Success Center; WHEREAS, immigrant individuals and families have made and continue to make invaluable contributions to the economic, social, and cultural growth of San Joaquin County and the broader region, enriching the community through resilience, perseverance, and hard work, and SJDC recognizes their critical role in strengthening and diversifying the fabric of society; WHEREAS, the current...

77-year-old police cadet's advice: 'Go out and do it'

In most ways he is no different than his fellow police cadets, as they stand for inspection on this cool fall morning before graduating from Delta College’s POST Academy. The crisp duty uniforms. The white gloves. The marching, the commands, the precision. And invisible, but more important than any of those things, the keen desire to serve. But there is no denying that John Myers stands out from his peers in one clear way: his white hair, combed neatly above a face that crinkles when he smiles. Inspection of the graduating cadets At 77 years old, Myers is the oldest graduate in the history of Delta’s POST Academy, and likely one of the oldest ever in the state of California. He is three decades older than the very program from which he is graduating. And yes, before you ask, he fully intends to work as a sworn law enforcement officer, no different than any other cop (though for now he is seeking only a part-time position). “I’m elated, happy, relieved,” he says afterward. “It’s a childhood dream come true.” The questions come quickly: How did he endure the physical demands of training? Is he ready for the rigor of a...

Delta College announces passing of Trustee Valerie Stewart-Green

Delta College is deeply saddened to share that Trustee Valerie Stewart-Green, who served the College for nearly three decades first as an employee and then as a trustee, has passed away. A resident of Tracy for approximately 28 years, Stewart-Green worked at Delta College for 22 years until her retirement in 2022. In October of that same year, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees where for nearly two years she represented the communities of Tracy and Mountain House. Having worked closely with the community during her time as an executive assistant to the superintendent/president of Delta College, as a trustee Stewart-Green spoke often of her desire to ensure that all community members were aware of the College’s programs and services and how those programs and services might improve their lives. "I want to make sure that our students have the best opportunities for education and are successful, and that we do what is best for the community,” she said when first appointed to the Board. In addition to being a longtime resident of Tracy, Stewart-Green also held a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco. “I had the pleasure of working with Valerie at...

Delta College to place bond measure on November ballot

San Joaquin Delta College trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to place a bond measure on the November ballot which, if approved by voters, would provide money to upgrade College facilities and ensure that students from all walks of life can raise their quality of living and achieve their dreams. The $598 million bond would help address the most urgent improvements needed across all Delta College campuses, such as fixing old plumbing, repairing leaky roofs, upgrading classrooms and labs, and improving student safety. If approved, the measure would cost property owners approximately $16 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value, with the typical property owner paying about $49 per year. “Delta College trains community members for higher-paying careers in important local fields like agriculture, robotics, law enforcement, and healthcare,” said Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson. “For the healthcare industry alone, Delta College prepares more than 400 workers each year to fill critical jobs such as registered nurses, emergency medical technicians, and more. “To continue providing these programs, we urgently need to upgrade and repair our facilities to meet today’s academic and safety standards. We encourage the public to learn more about our proposed bond measure in the months to come, and about...