By establishing innovation as a core value, and living by it every day, °µÍø³Ô¹Ï created a culture in which change is embraced rather than feared.
To be innovative is to always be exploring and adopting new ways of doing things. To always be ready and willing to adapt in support of the evolving needs of current and future students.
Embodying this value allows °µÍø³Ô¹Ï to stand out above the rest, resulting in its recurring affirmation as a Leader College by Achieving the Dream, and many other noteworthy initiatives and recognitions over the years.
1957The board of trustees holds its first meeting. They went on to change state law and create Michigan’s first multi-county community college.
1961°µÍø³Ô¹Ï opens its doors to 2,636 students.
1964
°µÍø³Ô¹Ï becomes one of only a handful of community colleges in the country to operate a public television station.
1969
°µÍø³Ô¹Ï becomes one of the 12 founding members for the League for Innovation in the Community College. Delta maintains a seat on its board to this day.
1972
°µÍø³Ô¹Ï’s TV station holds the first of 17 hugely popular Great TV Auctions to raise money to purchase new equipment.
1979
°µÍø³Ô¹Ï forms the Automotive Service Education Program (ASEP) with GM, a first-of-its-kind training program in the nation.
1981
Fall semester enrollment surpasses 10,000 students for the first time.
1997
°µÍø³Ô¹Ï Planetarium opens to the public after receiving an $8.75 million grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1992.
2010
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visits °µÍø³Ô¹Ï.
2016
STEM Explorer mobile laboratory first engages middle and high school students with STEM based hands-on activities.
2019
The Downtown Saginaw Center opens to provide even closer to home access to higher education.
2021
The Downtown Midland Center opens.
2026
Dr. Michelle Allmendinger selected as Delta’s 6th president.

