DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next!

Charley Daly interviews Danielle Johns, Community Engagement Director of Youth Homes, about their Pleasant Hill thrift store and the mental health programs it supports. The episode explains how the shop operates — from rotating inventory and volunteer-driven merchandising to donation trailers and employment opportunities for youth — and how its revenue funds vital services for at-risk young people...

Welcome to DVC Alumni, where every story inspires the next. In this episode, international student Shahar Palter shares his journey from Israel to the Bay Area, launching a sneaker-reselling business, investing in stocks and crypto, and navigating life between Amsterdam and the U.S. Shahar recounts the intense visa challenges and wartime lockdown that forced a risky escape, his return to DVC where...

And now, on with the episode. Sayara Rozmuradova shares her journey from a small village in Turkmenistan to studying and leading at DVC in California. She discusses learning multiple languages, navigating cultural change, joining clubs like Toastmasters and student government, switching her major to political science, and advocating for students in Washington, D.C. Her story celebrates resilience,...

Join librarian Eden Foley as they discuss their journey to librarianship, the role of community college libraries, and the rising importance of information literacy in the digital age. Learn about a creative banned-book display, efforts to protect diverse and LGBTQ+ stories, and an upcoming community read event featuring Percival Everett’s novel James. The episode highlights how libraries defend a...

Join us on the DVC Alumni podcast, where inspiring stories of growth, leadership, and transformation unfold. In this episode, we sit down with Guadalupe  Lopez Villegas, a dedicated student leader and proud DVC alumnus, who shares her journey from a shy high schooler to a confident president of student government. Guadalupe discusses her multicultural upbringing, how she navigated college during c...

In this inspiring episode of *DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next!*, we sit down with Shauna Mundt, a passionate archaeologist and recent DVC alum, who shares her incredible journey from childhood in Oakland and Illinois to becoming a senior historical archaeologist. Shauna talks about her time at DVC, and the transformative experiences that shaped her career, including participating i...

Tiffany Rhoe shares her personal journey from the medical field into staffing, her roles at Express, Volt and Starbucks, and the setbacks she faced including a layoff and family losses. The episode focuses on practical job-search strategies — updating your LinkedIn, targeted networking, persistence, resume tweaks, and college career resources — to help listeners find their next role. For those tha...

In this episode Charley Daly interviews Dr. Michael Galvez, a Diablo Valley College alumnus and pediatric hand surgeon, about his journey from community college to Stanford and his work serving underserved Latino communities in California’s Central Valley. Dr. Galvez discusses founding National Latino and Latina Physicians Day to promote bilingual, bicultural medical training, the role of communit...

In this episode Karla Aljanabi shares her journey from Guadalajara to Diablo Valley College and beyond, describing how part-time work, transfers, and nontraditional steps led her to roles at Tesla and a stock exchange before launching Career Building Coach. Karla offers practical tips on networking, using LinkedIn, interviewing, building a personal brand, and overcoming imposter syndrome, with act...

On this episode of DVC Alumni, Sabrina Beisner shares her journey from dancing in Pleasant Hill and performing with the Golden State Warriors and Janet Jackson to studying kinesiology and ultimately launching Take Stage Entertainment. She explains how DVC courses and arts training helped her pivot from a physical therapy track to a thriving entertainment career. Hear stories about auditions, teach...

In this episode Charley Daly sits down with student leader Anya Gupta at Contra Costa TV to discuss her busy semester, classical Kathak dance, and her project Key Future Network (KFN), where she interviews professionals—from coffee shop owners to mayors—to help students explore careers. They also talk networking strategies, Anya’s campus clubs and advisor role, upcoming alumni mixers, and how stud...

Nick Chavez recounts his path from Concord and Diablo Valley College to San Francisco State, including setbacks, transfers, and the decision to pursue a career as a registered dietitian. The episode highlights the classes, internships, and mindset shifts that helped him succeed, and shares practical nutrition advice—favor whole, nutrient-dense foods, practice moderation, and build sustainable habi...

On this DVC Alumni Podcast episode meet Greg Berkowitz (founder of Berks Beans) and Kiara as they dive into the craft and science of coffee roasting. Greg shares how a hobby roasted in a toaster oven during the pandemic turned into a fresh-roasted business, explains roast levels, processing methods, and why "born on" roast dates matter. Hear about pour-over and cold brew techniques, sourcing beans...

In this episode Charley Daly interviews Maile Collmer about her journey from a shy kid in Hawaii to a dancer with the Concord Blue Devils, a UCLA grad, and a successful realtor and business coach. Maile shares how joining teams, industry associations, and BNI helped her build a resilient, referral-driven business while staying 100% commission-based. She offers practical networking advice—be intent...

Join us in this inspiring episode of the DBC Alumni Podcast as we dive into the fascinating journey of Kimberlee Koym-Mureita, a dedicated art and digital media instructor. Discover her transition from growing up in San Antonio, Texas, to becoming a passionate educator and artist with a global perspective. Learn how her experiences across continents, from studying theater design in Austin to explo...

Join us in this engaging episode as we explore the inspiring journey of Shane Farrell, originally from Walnut Creek, California, who has traversed through the dynamic worlds of music and marketing. Shane shares his unique experiences from being in a band with his brother, performing around Northern California, to establishing a management company in Los Angeles, and eventually transitioning to a m...

In this episode of the DVC Alumni Podcast, we welcome Kristy Poindexter, who shares her remarkable journey through life with complex health challenges. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Kristy's story is one of resilience and inspiration, detailing her experiences from childhood illness to becoming a vocal advocate for those with similar medical conditions. Kristy's candid conversation touches on h...

Welcome to DVC Alumni, where every story inspires the next. Join us as we delve into the extraordinary journey of Gio D'Onofrio, a determined chemical engineering student at DVC. From his initial passion for soccer to a transformative academic pursuit, Gio's story exemplifies resilience and adaptability. In this episode, we explore Gio's strategic transition from sports to academics, his innovativ...

In this episode, we hear from Johnny, who shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Lebanon to becoming a prominent figure in the U.S. educational landscape. Johnny discusses his experiences navigating cultural and linguistic barriers, starting his academic journey in the U.S. without knowing English, and eventually gaining admission to prestigious universities like UC Berkeley and the Univ...

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 s...

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...

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 transformati...

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 stu...

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 di...

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 p...