It started with a single tweet from New York Magazine writer Yashar Ali, who asked a few simple questions: Did you go to community college? Which one? And what are you doing today?
By day's end Thursday the tweet had gone viral, with thousands of proud community college grads sharing their stories.
We've collected some of our favorite tweets from Delta alumni. You'll be amazed what some of our former students are doing!
As Ali wrote in that viral tweet: "People who attend community colleges deserve to be as proud as people who attend Harvard."
Went to @SJDeltaCollege. Graduated w my BA with significantly less loan debt than everyone I knew. Now have a master’s & work as a behavior interventionist w adults with intellectual disabilities. Thoroughly fulfilled and financially stable.
— Sarah (@sarah274_) March 15, 2019
I went to @SJDeltaCollege in Stockton before transferring to @sacstate. Now I’m a digital producer @sacbee_news.
— Angel Guerrero (@AngelGuerrerooo) March 15, 2019
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my community college and newspaper. CC: @deltacollegian https://t.co/t41hNgYe9b
San Joaquin Delta College alum here. I met incredible teachers I'd have never met who cared about me and the subjects they taught; and a diversity of students no other level of postsecondary education can approach right now. I'm now State Policy Director for a statewide nonprofit https://t.co/vKXdG37lB4
— Joshua Stark (@flerg777) March 15, 2019
Went to @SJDeltaCollege. BA from @SFSU, MA from @GoldmanSchool. Been a TV news reporter, spokesperson for HSR and CDPH, and advocate for fixing CA roads, bridges, and water infrastructure. Also a rescue dog dad https://t.co/qiOmryrjuV
— Orville Thomas (@OrvilleThomas) March 15, 2019
@SJDeltaCollege for 2 years and then transferred to @ChicoState where I received my Degree in History and have been a teacher for 19 years. https://t.co/SEyAw7B57g
— Tara (@Vbean76) March 16, 2019
My brothers both went to @SJDeltaCollege and one graduated from UC Hastings Law and the other from UC Irvine Med!! I love this thread!! Thank you, @yashar.
— توحيده (@toheeda) March 15, 2019
I went to @SJDeltaCollege and transferred to @USCCinema. 25+ years in the film & TV industry as a proud member of @ICGLocal600. I wouldn’t be here with out the great professors & coaches (also played football) at SJDC. Go junior college!!
— Joseph Torres Jr. (@JFT_camera) March 15, 2019
A proud product of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton @SJDeltaCollege
— Fernando Gallo (@FernandoRGallo) March 14, 2019
Now I teach journalism at a community college (DVC) https://t.co/ba3vJ6suL2
Went to @SJDeltaCollege. Now writes for @USATODAY. https://t.co/flaxWS2kPJ
— Kristine Phillips (@kristinegWP) March 14, 2019
San Joaquin Delta @SJDeltaCollege Representing the Mustangs Ya'all!! Now I'm a teacher for 15 years headed to private college for my Masters at @FDUWhatsNew! Wouldn't have been able to without my community college years! https://t.co/KVtC5RNg0A
— ToryLynn Should be Writing! (@ToryLynnWriter) March 14, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College and I’m a Staff Analyst for a local government office.
— Alicia KM (@aliciakm80) March 14, 2019
Delta in Stockton, where I earned my AA in music and also studied journalism. Six years later, I finally went back and earned my bachelor's in journalism - with a minor in music. I'll celebrate 40 years in journalism next month.
— Bill Poindexter (@CoachBill44) March 16, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College. Retired after 34 years as a Firefighter/Paramedic.
— Curt Cozad (@63GBPackerfan) March 15, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College AA MatsSci+vocational degree in Electron Microscopy 1987. Thank God for that.
— srk (@flyingblueheron) March 15, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. Ended up teaching there after obtaining my MA.
— Bettina Engelman (@BettinaEngelman) March 15, 2019
I attended Delta College in Stockton. As did several buddies. We all did okay. It was never about where we started, but where we ended up.
— Andrew Acosta (@aacosta30) March 15, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College. Go Mustangs. At the time, I had no idea you needed to apply to 4-yr colleges many months before you graduated. No one in my family had gone to college and it didn’t make sense that colleges would accept you before you were finished.
— Roger Salazar (@RogerSalazar) March 15, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College. Foothill-DeAnza. And probably others. I returned later in life to finish my degree. Been a VP in 3 different industries & a 4-time CIO. Community college made it possible to work full time, raise a child & go to school. https://t.co/0I966h3TmH
— Raechelle Clemmons (@rclemmons) March 15, 2019
Barstow College and San Joaquin Delta College. Now Senior Associate for a Top 10 lobbying firm in California, representing K-12 and community college districts before the state Legislature and US Congress. #CommunityCollege https://t.co/QozWlcMD29
— Austin J Webster (@AustinJWebster) March 15, 2019
Went to San Joaquin Delta College, twice. Once for Auto body repair. I build hot rods. And secondly for Architectural Drafting. Have a Residential Design business for 28 + years now.
— james simmons (@smooth54f100) March 15, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College in the 209. I’m a school development coach for a nonprofit that focuses on closing the opp. gap through Deeoer Learning practices for ALL learners (adults/students/families) https://t.co/PbheXRhSUa
— José Exiquio Garcia (@OriginalGarcia) March 15, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College. Long career as a Registered Nurse, the last 2 plus decades in management at the University of California. https://t.co/pIhVJP86un
— ruthls (@ruthls) March 15, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College and Portland Community College were my junior colleges. Some amazing professors! https://t.co/0veyNlJ3vI
— Eric (@lanesx3) March 15, 2019
My experience @SJDeltaCollege meant I graduated a year early from @UOPacific. I now teach first major-related course I took. #EndCCStigma
— Tara Cuslidge (@TaraCuslidge) March 19, 2019
San Joaquin Delta College changed my life. https://t.co/uxcSLMF5Aq
— Patrick Corcoran (@EastSacPatrick) March 15, 2019