DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next!
”DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next!” is the official podcast of the Diablo Valley College Alumni Association, celebrating 75 years of DVC’s impact on education, careers, and community. As we commemorate this milestone, our podcast dives into the journeys of DVC alumni who have transformed their experiences on our vibrant campus into remarkable careers, meaningful community contributions, and personal successes. Each episode offers an intimate look at the paths of first-generation graduates, entrepreneurs, artists, educators, and leaders who share the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that shaped their lives. Whether you’re a current student, recent graduate, or long-time alum, join us to honor DVC’s legacy and explore how the stories from our past continue to inspire and empower our community today. Tune in and be part of a conversation that highlights the strength, resilience, and spirit of DVC’s ever-growing family.
Episodes
In this episode, Tiffany Vargas shares her unique career journey, detailing how life's unexpected twists and turns led her from Diablo Valley College to a thriving role at Boyd Gaming. Tiffany opens up about her early years transitioning from Seattle to the Bay Area, tackling personal and family challenges, and finding her path through education and career opportunities. Her story emphasizes the power of resilience, timing, and emb...
In this episode of DVC Alumni, we sit down with Madeline Hatch, a newly turned personal trainer based in Crockett, California. Madeline shares her inspiring journey, which began in Orange County before a dramatic move to her grandparents' house following a house fire. She navigates us through her transitional years, overcoming challenges, and finding resilience.
Madeline discusses the pivotal moments that led her to pursue psycholo...
Join us as we dive into an enlightening conversation with sisters Itzel and Cindy Gutierrez, navigating their academic and professional journeys from Concord to San Jose. The pair share their experiences growing up in Concord, how their career paths evolved, and the invaluable support received from the Puente and Diamante Scholar programs.
Discover Itzel's transition from nursing aspirations to business marketing and her pursuit of...
In this inspiring episode, join Charley as we welcome our special guest, Karla Aljanabi, who shares a unique and personal journey from Mexico to the United States and their transformative experiences at DVC, a community college that played a pivotal role in shaping their career and life. Our guest opens up about the challenges faced during high school in a new country and the critical decision to attend community college instead of...
In this captivating episode of DVC Alumni, Cam Jones shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Rochester, New Hampshire, to becoming a thriving healthcare professional in the Bay Area. Listen in as Cam recounts her high school experiences, ROTC aspirations, and how a love for nursing took center stage despite life’s many challenges.
Discover how Cam’s academic pursuits intersected with real-life decisions, leading her to work...
Welcome to this episode of DVC Alumni, where stories of transformation and inspiration are shared. Join us as we delve into the journey of Mayara Andressa, a Brazilian native who relocated to the U.S. as an au pair in 2018. Her quest for exploration and personal growth led her to Diablo Valley College, encouraged by her husband, Alex, who himself was a student there.
Mayara opens up about her roots in Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil,...
In this riveting episode of the DVC Alumni Podcast, we sit down with Monica Hicks, whose journey from overcoming personal struggles to achieving academic success at Stanford University is nothing short of inspirational. Monica opens up about her tumultuous past, including facing behavioral challenges, substance abuse, and incarceration, and how witnessing her brother's graduation inspired her to turn her life around.
Monica shares ...
In this captivating episode, Felicia Sindhu shares her remarkable journey from Bali, Indonesia to studying overseas. She talks about the challenges and opportunities of navigating different cultures and education systems. Initially, Felicia studied online due to COVID, then moved to the U.S. to explore college life at DVC, and now continues her academic pursuits in Australia. Join us as she reflects on the impact of cultural adapta...
Join us in this inspiring episode of DVC Alumni, where former Diablo Valley College student, Michael Cortez, shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Vallejo, California, to becoming a proud graduate of Morehouse College. Michael opens up about his experiences navigating life's obstacles, the impact of community and mentorship at DVC, and the powerful influence of his college years. This episode not only highlights his acad...
In this episode, we dive into the life of Anya, a remarkable student who has navigated through ten different schools while engaging in dual enrollment at Diablo Valley College (DVC). Anya shares her inspiring journey from San Jose to Walnut Creek, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities she encountered along the way.
Join us as Anya talks about her experiences in various high schools, the decision to homeschool, and how ...
Join us as we dive into the fascinating life journey of Aaron Bronson Pinkney, an adventurer at heart. From his roots in Philadelphia to his current home in Guam, Aaron shares about his experiences in the military, his passion for music, and his unexpected transition into the legal world. Discover how he navigated through challenges, including health battles, all while embracing life's unpredictable paths. This episode is a testame...
Join us on a captivating journey through the world of real estate with Heather Schiffman, Chief Advocacy Officer for the Contra Costa Association of Realtors, as she shares her personal and professional stories. From her humble beginnings in Walnut Creek to her impactful role in real estate advocacy, Heather offers insightful reflections on navigating the ever-evolving housing market.
Explore the pressing issues in urban developmen...
In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Tiffany Rowe, who grew up in Pleasant Hill with dreams of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. Despite facing financial limitations, Tiffany pursued her passion by enrolling in courses at DVC and later attending Western Career College for medical assisting. Her initial path in the medical field brought many challenges, and she ultimately found herself on a different trajec...
In this episode, meet Duane Leem, a first-generation student from the Philippines who has crafted a remarkable career in cybersecurity. From his early days in the Philippines to his journey through Guam, Pittsburgh, and ultimately the Bay Area, Duane shares how his passion for programming at DVC set the foundation for his successful path in the tech industry. Learn about his experiences, challenges, and the key moments that shaped ...
Join us in this engaging episode as Tiffany Rowe shares her transformative journey from aspiring pediatric nurse practitioner to a successful career in staffing. Discover how life events, challenges, and unexpected opportunities shaped her path, leading to a rewarding role in helping individuals find their career success. Through candid conversations, Tiffany reveals the joys and difficulties of working in the medical field and how...
Join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Tiffany Rhoe, who shares her remarkable journey from aspiring nurse to a successful career in staffing. Tiffany reflects on the challenges and realizations that led her to pivot from the medical field to staffing, highlighting the impactful moments and personal growth along the way. Learn about the importance of networking, the power of LinkedIn, and the persistence required to...
Join us for an insightful conversation with Takeshi Kawata, a passionate esports enthusiast and former DVC student, as he recounts his educational journey and his rise in the gaming world. From his roots in San Ramon and homeschooling days to becoming one of America's top 500 Heroes of the Storm players, Takeshi's story is one of resilience and determination. His transition from Diablo Valley College during the pande...
Join us as we uncover the incredible story of Mansour, an ambitious international student navigating his journey from the borders of France and Belgium to the prestigious halls of UC Berkeley. Mansour's narrative is rich with cultural intricacies and personal challenges that shaped his desire to pursue a career in law. Discover how he overcame language barriers, adapted to a new educational system, and found his call...
Estie Briggs, our esteemed guest and emotional intelligence coach, shares her invaluable insights into conquering imposter syndrome, especially in high-pressure environments like the construction industry. Ever wondered how to navigate the emotional turbulence of job searching or how to build confidence in your professional life? Estie’s journey, sparked by a self-assessment during her organizational development stud...
Discover the incredible journey of Julianna Verde, a dynamic professional who seamlessly juggles teaching managerial accounting at Diablo Valley College with a remote role at Sony PlayStation. Julianna's story is one of transformation, from her initial pursuit of a medical career to finding her true passion in business. Her path led her through a series of educational institutions, culminating in a successful career ...
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