California Caterpillar Dealers and Caterpillar Inc. in partnership with San Joaquin Delta College

The six Caterpillar Dealerships who have partnered with San Joaquin Delta College and won this partnership award are aptly named the Caterpillar Think Big Dealers because they used an innovative approach to solve a serious workforce shortage. Part of a national Caterpillar, Inc. program to train workers, SJDC’s partnership with these six California Caterpillar dealers is a collaborative way for a sufficient number of workers to be trained in the state. Students attend classes for the first 8 weeks of the semester. The second half of the semester is an internship at a sponsoring dealership. The students are not only paid for their internship hours, they are also given uniforms and enough tools to get started in their first job. The students have the benefit of both college faculty who visit them at the worksite and on-site mentors to help them master their skills. While the focus of the initial training is on entry-level skills and positions, students are also introduced to other career pathways within Caterpillar, Inc.  San Joaquin Delta College is one of only 12 colleges nationwide with whom Caterpillar, Inc. has partnered for this program. All Caterpillar Technicians must take and pass a national TRAIN examination, and because of the strength of both the partnership with the college and the financial support of the California CAT Dealer’s Foundation, SJDC’s program graduates are among the top scorers on the TRAIN exam.

Excellence in Leadership


Dr. Ron Quinta, Dean~Science, Engineering, Technology – Ohlone College

It’s only fitting that Dr. Ron Quinta, Dean of Science, Engineering and Technology at Ohlone College, has proven that incubation happens both in the laboratory and in the classroom. Under his leadership, the Biotechnology program has grown from a single course in the Biology department in 1996 to several Certificates of Completion and a pending Associate of Science degree today. His ability to garner outside support from National Science Foundation and various Economic and Workforce Development grants to equipment and matching funds from industry has helped to create state-of-the-art lab and classroom facilities. More impressive is his focus on so many key student populations. Ron has developed Career Pathways for middle and high school students with a focus on increasing interest and abilities in the sciences; created training programs for dislocated high tech workers with a placement rate of 85%; and, successfully trained over 1,000 incumbent workers in biotech. Without a doubt, Dr. Ron Quinta is a shining example of how the California Community Colleges meet the workforce development needs of the state. 

Excellence in Teaching


John Hauck, Faculty~Electrical Technology Department – Long Beach City College

John Hauck, a full-time faculty member in the Electrical Technology Department at Long Beach City College, demonstrates excellence in every aspect of his teaching. He not only reinvigorated a shrinking Electrician program that now serves over 1000 students at LBCC, he also reached out beyond his campus to help other colleges all over California develop quality programs. John came to his teaching role with 20 years of experience as a contractor, which means that he is well-equipped to give his students a real-world perspective and many industry contacts to help them upon graduation. When the legislature enacted new laws requiring that all working electricians pass a certification exam, John worked with the System Office to create a fair process to certify Electrician programs, and then he worked with many community colleges to help them develop their programs to meet these standards. His Electrician program was the first approved program in the state.  Finally, John has written two textbooks which are widely used in the field, and he is considered an expert in hands-on curriculum design. Long Beach City College is fortunate to have John Hauck on its faculty, a Career Technical faculty member who is hard-wired for success.