| About DVC |
About DVC
Diablo Valley College is one of three
publicly supported two-year community colleges in the Contra Costa
Community College District. The main campus is located off Interstate 680
in Pleasant Hill, California and twenty miles east of UC Berkeley. A new
San Ramon Valley Campus in Dougherty Valley opened its doors to students in
November of 2006. DVC also has a
center in downtown Walnut Creek.DVC serves more than 22,000 students of all ages with these program options:
- Associate in Arts Degree
- Associate in Science Degree
- Transfer credit to four year colleges
- Articulation agreements with University of California and California State University Systems
- Vocational training
- Certificates of Achievement
- Lifelong personal improvement opportunities
- The college officially began in 1949, in some of the most unlikely sites: high schools, banks, churches, even an old army camp. Called East Contra Costa Junior College, we moved to our present site in 1952, in ten steel buildings acquired from the government for $45 each. The cornerstone for the first permanent building was laid in 1953, and the name Diablo Valley College was adopted in 1958.
We've come a long way since those humble beginnings. Over one and a half million students have enrolled here since 1949! As we salute our heritage, we look forward to serving one of Northern California's most dynamic, education-minded areas for another 50 years.
History & Facts: For over
50 years, Diablo Valley College has provided quality education to the
community it serves. A million students later, enrolling at DVC is one
of the best ways you can ensure acceptance at a four-year college. DVC
is not only recognized as one of California's best community colleges, but
it also leads the state in transfer to four-year institutions.
Research figures recently released by UCLA's Center for the Study of
Community Colleges show that DVC's transfer rate to four-year universities
is 67 percent higher than the national average. Another report,
released by the California Post-secondary Educational Commission, shows that
DVC ranked number one in transfers in the state, ahead of all other
California community colleges.
A brief history of our land shows us that this was originally home to the
Costanoan Indians. In 1844, the Mexican government granted the land to
William Welch, and it became part of his huge Rancho Las Juntas, which
included northwestern Walnut Creek, all of Pleasant Hill, and the
northeastern half of Martinez. After World War II the land was
subdivided into housing tracts, and on October 5, 1950, the College Board of
Trustees purchased the DVC site for $172,500. Construction began in
September, 1951.
With 20,000 students of all ages and a host of programs, you'll find a
dynamic educational environment and a lively atmosphere at DVC.
Located off of Interstate 680 in Pleasant Hill, the campus is situated on
one hundred acres of gently rolling hills in view of Mt. Diablo, a northern
California landmark. Our handsomely landscaped main campus is just a
short distance from San Francisco, making it an ideal setting for the
premier transfer institution in California. We also offer classes at
eight satellite facilities and centers in Central Contra Costa County
including Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Concord, Martinez, and Danville. We are the college of
choice for many students from the private and public high schools in the
nearby Martinez, Mt. Diablo, San Ramon, and Acalanes School Districts.
FACTS:
- More than 2600 courses are offered. We train more people than any educational institution in Contra Costa County -- offering more than 57 occupational specialties.
- The DVC faculty is composed of 300 full-time and 370 part-time instructors. Most hold advanced degrees. They bring academic and technical expertise to the classroom to an unusually high degree for lower division instruction.
- At 54%, students at the freshman level represent the largest single component of the student body.
- Part-time students account for about two-thirds of the enrollment, but the number of full-time students is increasing.
- Women make up 54% of the student population.
- The largest group on campus is 20-24 years. It's followed closely by the 30-49 year age group.
- The number of students attending for successive terms increases steadily.
