DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next!

In this heartening episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Alexa Hinojosa Hernandez, a 19-year-old student at DVC. Alexa shares her personal story of moving from Mexico to the United States at the age of 16, filled with dreams and expectations.

Her narrative takes us through the challenges of adapting to a new culture, overcoming language barriers, and finding her place in a foreign high school environment. Despite facing ...

Welcome to DVC Alumni, the podcast where inspiring stories from Diablo Valley College's alumni come to life. In this episode, Charley Daly dives into a captivating conversation with Brandon Brookshire, a DVC alumnus who shares his incredible journey from military service to a thriving career in banking. Tune in as Brandon recounts his experiences growing up in California, his time in the Air Force, and how he navigated a challengin...

Welcome to another captivating episode of DVC Alumni, where we delve into the inspiring journey of Karrington, a determined alumna from DVC. Carrington shares her unique experiences growing up as a minority in San Ramon and her pursuit of academic excellence at DVC and beyond.

In this episode, Karrington discusses her passion for mental health advocacy and health equity, detailing her transformative educational path that led her fr...

Join us in this episode of the DVC Alumni podcast as we sit down with Bob Lilley, a man whose life journey has been anything but ordinary. From his early days moving around the country due to his father's career to eventually settling in California, Bob's life is a testament to adaptability and resourcefulness. In this engaging conversation, we uncover Bob's transition from an aspiring college student to a skilled electrician, and ...

Welcome to DVC Alumni, where impactful stories inspire the next generation. In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Trish Muegge, who grew up in Pleasant Hill, attended Carondelet High School, and later pursued higher education at DVC and St. Mary’s College. Trish shares how her local upbringing and educational experiences shaped her career as a health and wellness advocate.

She discusses the significant impact of h...

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 ...