DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next!

In this episode, TJ Scoggins, a Navy veteran and former nuclear technician, shares his life from a small Idaho town to serving on aircraft carriers and submarines, leading reactor departments, and becoming an instructor and officer. After a medical retirement, TJ reflects on reinvention—moving to California, joining the DVC community and Student Veteran Resource Center, prioritizing family, and pl...

In this episode, DVC speech and debate co-directors Paul Villa and Rob Hawkins describe how they rebuilt a thriving program through the pandemic and led students to state and national success. They discuss coaching philosophy, team culture, student stories of resilience and inclusion, practical goals for newcomers, and how to get involved ( dvcforensics.org ). Connect with Speech and Debate's Soci...

Check out our 100th episode with Proud, an international student from Thailand, shares her journey to Diablo Valley College, including the challenges of applying and getting a visa, recovering from surgery, and adapting to life in the U.S. She discusses her classes, involvement in clubs like PBL, student government, and TEDx, her healthcare advocacy, and offers the key advice: "do it scared." Prou...

On this episode Litzy Gonzalez, a DVC alum, shares her path from high school programs and online classes during COVID to transferring and growing at Cal State Northridge. She discusses joining a sorority, developing professional skills, and her work at Monument Impact’s Emerging Business Program helping locals obtain business licenses and start micro-enterprises.   Check out the great work at Monu...

Chef Aaron Prater shares his journey from New Orleans and the Marine Corps to leading DVC's hospitality program, explaining how travel and hands-on experience shaped his love of food and teaching. He discusses transforming the program from a production model to a student-centered hospitality curriculum, launching zero-textbook OER courses, and expanding global perspectives in culinary education. T...

Casey Ferreira, a DVC culinary student and former construction worker turned musician, shares how a homemade sriracha during a shortage launched his shift into the culinary world and inspired him to pursue a degree and start a food business. He discusses forming the Hospitality & Culinary Association, fundraising events like Dinner Theater and the O'Leary Symposium, plans for a study-abroad pr...

On this episode of DVC Alumni, Matt recounts his investigation into a 2015 death originally ruled a suicide. Noticing inconsistencies in the coroner's and police reports, he tracked down seized electronics, enlisted forensic experts, and uncovered digital evidence suggesting the suicide note originated from the husband’s devices. After years of persistence and review by the district attorney’s col...

In this episode of DVC Alumni, Mary Kemnitz, founder of Cars 2nd Chance, shares how a Concord auto repair shop grew into a car-donation nonprofit that partners with Rotary clubs and other organizations to repurpose vehicles for charity. Mary recounts powerful stories of direct impact—from helping fire survivors regain mobility to building a large partnership network—and explains how the program gr...

Welcome to DVC Alumni, where every story inspires the next. The alumni podcast where you get to hear the inspiring stories and transformation that DVC has had to offer this alumni. And now, on with the episode. In this episode we meet Anahita, an Iranian immigrant who overcame language barriers and culture shock to excel academically and become deeply involved at DVC. She shares her experience nav...

Welcome to DVC Alumni, where every story inspires the next. In this episode Jim Abley — a DVC student (1980–81), Army Ranger, and long-serving CHP leader — recounts his path from Philadelphia to military service and a decades-long law enforcement career. He reflects on Ranger School lessons, community policing, intelligence and task-force work, and major deployments like Katrina and national event...

In this episode of DVC Alumni, hosts sit down with former professor Mario and returning professor Jennifer to trace their journeys at Diablo Valley College: from early classes and chance meetings to careers in teaching and academic leadership. They share how they met, navigated working together, transitioned into dean roles, led student-centered initiatives during COVID (including a campus food pr...

Eric shares his journey from growing up in Hercules, California, to attending UC Berkeley and USC, and eventually working in various engineering roles across the country. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned from his educational and professional experiences, including the importance of seeking help and the impact of community support. Eric also reflects on personal challenges, such as h...

DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next, returns with guest Anya Gupta — a returning champion who discusses founding Wellness Pulse (winner of the district-wide pitch competition), her advocacy and leadership roles across BART, Contra Costa Behavioral Health, MTC committees and the ESP Task Force, plus updates on the Marketing Club and her college application journey.

On this episode of DVC Alumni, host, Charley Daly, speaks with Nicole and Ben Ebert about meeting in a journalism class at Diablo Valley College, drifting apart, and reconnecting years later over sports and shared memories. They describe their long-distance relationship, a first date at a Giants–Dodgers game, and the moment their friendship turned into a lasting partnership. The couple share caree...

In this episode, Chris shares his journey from private school through De La Salle to Diablo Valley College, where he reinvented himself academically and professionally. He discusses starting the Viking Fund Club, building a finance-focused portfolio website, learning from mentors, and gaining hands-on experience through workshops and field trips. The conversation highlights personal growth, the po...

Marcos and Mauricio Ulloa share their winding journey from Antioch neighborhoods and DVC classrooms to UC Berkeley, viral dance videos, and building J.C. Tree Service during COVID. This episode explores family, education, entrepreneurship, and the hands-on hustle that turned creative skills into a thriving local business. They discuss lessons learned—safety, systems, and community responsibility—p...

Local restaurateurs, the DVC Culinary & Hospitality Department, students, and community partners joined forces to prepare and deliver holiday meals to students and their families after concerns over SNAP benefits. Meals were prepared across the East Bay, organized at the DVC Bistro, and distributed on campus or delivered to homes. The drive resulted in 486 family-style and individual meals rea...

In this episode, DVC alumnus Mario Tejada Jr. shares his journey from growing up in a family restaurant and studying culinary arts at DVC to transitioning into IT, consulting on international elections in South Africa and Ghana, and finally becoming a longtime DVC instructor. Mario reflects on career changes, the power of education, mentoring students, family life, and the importance of staying cu...

Charley Daly, DVC Alumni Manager, reflects on a year of growth for the Alumni Association, previews upcoming 2026 plans including a March networking event and the new "Student Lift" program, and announces more podcasts coming early next year. He sends holiday wishes, invites story and guest suggestions at alumni@dvc.edu, and encourages alumni and students to stay connected as the foundation expand...

Floris Broussard, an international student from the Netherlands, shares his journey through global education, nonprofit work as a grant writer, and the unique community college experience at DVC. This episode highlights Floris’s leadership organizing TEDx at DVC, success in pitch competitions, involvement in multiple student clubs, and his transfer plans to Columbia University. Listen for insights...

Welcome to DVC Alumni, where every story inspires the next. In this episode we meet Madeline, a young DVC student who completed dual enrollment through the College Now program, earning an associate's degree in business while still in high school. Madeline discusses how she balanced heavy coursework with extracurriculars, her role tutoring in the student center, and the inclusive, multigenerational...

The episode explains Diablo Valley College Foundation's Giving Days — a three-day end-of-year fundraising effort to support students. It outlines the purpose and growth of Giving Days as a way to celebrate generosity and build momentum for the foundation. Each day has a focus: Giving Tuesday supports scholarships and campus impact, Wednesday highlights campus programs like experiential learning an...

The Diablo Valley College Foundation is a nonprofit focused on raising funds to support students, faculty, programs, and campus needs. In this episode Jim Blair explains how the foundation provides scholarships, emergency aid, food assistance, mental health support, and helps develop new programs and campus resources. Listeners will hear examples of impact—from small scholarships that prevent stud...

Kimberly Valles, a DVC alum who danced for the Golden State Warriors, shares her winding path through multiple colleges into fitness and tech. After rediscovering her passion for health, she became a coach and later moved into Silicon Valley, joining Omlet. Now she’s building Train — a fully AI-driven fitness coach that personalizes programs, tracks progress, and adapts to users’ lives. The app is...

Welcome to DVC Alumni — a short, Thanksgiving-themed episode where host Charley Daly reflects on gratitude and the meaningful work of the DVC Marketing Club. Students from the club share brief, personal reflections on what they9re thankful for — family, health, opportunity, campus connections, and the support that helps them grow. Listen for a warm collection of voices celebrating community and th...