San Joaquin Delta College
5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton 95207

For Immediate Release
03/28/2016

Delta College Hazel Hill
Child Development Center Dedication, April 1

Dr. Hazel Hill

(Stockton, CA) Delta College will rename its Child Development Center (CDC) in honor of the late Dr. Hazel Hill (1949 - 2015) with a special ceremony on Friday, April 1, 4:30 p.m. at the CDC. Dr. Hill spearheaded the creation & construction of the Center, leaving an indelible legacy for the college.

Dr. Hill had a distinguished 35 year career at San Joaquin Delta College before retiring in 2011 as Dean of Career Technical Education and Workforce Development.

A tireless advocate for vocational education, one of Dr. Hill's goals was to create a Child Development Center that would assist parents as they worked to attain their academic and career goals at Delta College. Early on, Dr. Hill realized that a major stumbling block for many students was a lack of childcare. Delta's center would provide full-time quality "educare" for the children of students and staff.

Hazel Hill's initial attempts to build a center met with a brick wall, but her determination never wavered. Eventually, new Chancellor's Office funding for such facilities teamed with Hazel's devotion to the project. Her vision became a reality on January 12, 1994; Delta College opened the doors to its new $1.5 million dollar Child Care Center to toddlers and preschoolers.

Since 1994, Delta's Child Development Center has provided quality care and educational services to eligible children, with a priority given to Delta students and staff. The Center is licensed to provide services to 192 children, 18 months to 5 years of age. Parents or guardians qualify for services by family income and must be working, going to school, or in a job training program. The Center also provides a working laboratory for students interested in careers in early childhood development, nursing and other disciplines.

Among numerous accolades and accomplishments, in 2006, Dr. Hill was named the recipient of the Athena Award, presented by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. This prestigious honor recognizes local women for their professional accomplishments, community service, and role in helping other women attain success. The award also celebrates women that help foster business in our community.

Dr. Hill was known as the face of Delta College to the business community. She was a passionate leader in forming working relationships between Delta College, district stakeholders and local businesses. Delta College honors Dr. Hazel Hill as a woman of vision - a true trailblazer.

Hazel Hill's colleagues acknowledge the tremendous difference her efforts made in the lives of local students who sought career vocational training opportunities and support. Those efforts will continue to bare fruit long into the future. "I enjoy most being a positive role model for folks, showing them they can do it, then providing the tools and encouragement," Hill said in 2006. Simply, Hazel Hill's ultimate goal was always "Student success!"

Hazel's dreams indeed became reality.

For more information about the Hazel Hill Child Development Center, call 209-954-5700, or vist the CDC Websiite.

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