MEET DYANA DELFÍN POLK, MPP
Dyana Delfín Polk is a dynamic leader whose passion for education and community empowerment has led to transformative changes in the Peralta Community College District.
A proud third-generation Mexican-American, Dyana's journey began in a Mexican-American family, born on Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento County and raised in Berkeley, California. Her father, a retired union electrician, and her mother, a public school educator, instilled in her a deep commitment to fighting for working families.
Dyana's own educational path mirrors that of many of the students she now serves. At 16, she entered Merced College through a concurrent enrollment program, benefiting from the Board of Governors fee waiver. Her advocacy for education began early, fighting to preserve transferable courses in the University of California system. After earning her Associate Degree in History, she transferred to UC Berkeley, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in American History and Chicano Studies.
As a Peralta Community College Board Member, Dyana has championed initiatives that reflect her deep understanding of student needs and her commitment to equity. Recognizing the diverse community Peralta serves, she pushed for multilingual marketing efforts, breaking down language barriers and opening doors for more students. Her advocacy for free tuition programs has led to a notable increase in enrollment, particularly among students of color, making higher education accessible to those who might otherwise be left behind.
When Peralta needed stable leadership, Dyana played a crucial role in developing a nationwide chancellor search. Her collaborative approach, involving academic and classified senates, students and community members, led to the hiring of Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson—Peralta's first permanent chancellor in four years.
One of the most significant achievements during Dyana's tenure was guiding the district off probation with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), a victory that secured Peralta's accreditation after years of uncertainty. Simultaneously, she has worked tirelessly to improve the district's financial health, balancing necessary budget cuts with aggressive pursuit of grants to maintain vital student programs and resources.
As Board Chair and Vice Chair, Dyana has demonstrated her ability to build coalitions among staff, faculty, students and community members. Her leadership style, rooted in her own journey from community college to UC Berkeley and beyond, continues to inspire and drive positive change in the Peralta Community College District and the broader East Bay community.
Beyond her board role, Dyana serves as a policy aide for Oakland District 6 Councilmember Kevin Jenkins and a community engagement consultant for The Unity Council. She holds a Master's in Public Policy from Mills College and remains deeply involved in local politics as a resident of Berkeley's Northside neighborhood, continuing her lifelong mission to support and uplift her community.
“With your support for a second term, we can continue to drive Peralta towards a more sustainable future, where we invest in our students, faculty and community—all while ensuring accountability, a healthy budget and high academic standards.”