As a first-generation college student, Emma Howell was intimidated by the prospect of making the transition from high school to college. She came to Delta from Garber High School in Essexville, where her achievements earned her a full ride at Delta as a Presidential Honors Scholarship recipient. 

With the guidance Emma received from her Student Success Advisor, she described her experience as very positive and easy to manage. She graduated from Delta and transferred to the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor to pursue a degree in public health. She is leaving feeling accomplished and excited for the next phase in her educational journey.

Krystal Sanders was raised in Midland by her loving and supportive grandmother. She joined the US Air Force out of high school, which brought her to live in Arizona and Texas before being medically discharged for an injury received on base. She took time to travel the world and experience a variety of cultures by living in Florida, Oregon, Australia and Sweden. After living in San Diego and Las Vegas for several years, she decided to return to Michigan and settled in Bay City, where she has been for the past 10 years.

As a non-traditional student, Krystal found it challenging to get back into the frame of mind of a student. Juggling her everyday responsibilities with her new academic responsibilities was difficult in the beginning. But with Delta’s course flexibility, she found balance by taking many of her classes online or in the evening. She gave herself grace and found her rhythm. Krystal came out on top earning recognition on the President’s List, the Vice President’s List and the Dean’s List, graduating with an associate’s degree in business studies. 

Both Emma and Krystal have made noteworthy strides during their time at Delta, which led to their selections as student speakers at the 63rd Commencement Ceremony addressing their peers as 2024 graduates.