April 17, 2025
“You can do anything you set your mind to.” For recent Delta College graduates Ericka Newman and Natalie Sika, those words are a lived reality. The 64th Commencement speakers share their experiences ahead of the ceremony.
Hometown: Saginaw, MI
Program of Study: General Management
Certificate: Entrepreneurship
Involvement: Student employee
When Ericka Newman enrolled at Delta College in 2022, she was no stranger to the campus. “I tried to come back like three times,” she admits. “When I re-enrolled again at Delta, it wasn’t like, ‘Oh, she’s back. She’s not gonna finish.’ It was like, ‘We’ve been waiting for you,’ and they embraced me with open arms.”
There were people in her life that were unsupportive of her decision to return to college. They tried to convince her to find another route. But Ericka is glad she chose not to listen to them or her own inner critic that told her it was too late to pursue a degree.
She approached this new opportunity a little differently than her previous attempts, ultimately achieving her goal of earning her degree. She learned that when times get tough or you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to ask for help.
“I just want people to know it’s possible. Don’t let anybody discourage you when people say, ‘You’re too old to go back to school,’ or ‘Find something more realistic,’” advises Ericka. “What’s more realistic than going back to school, getting an education, securing your future and knowing that you can do anything?”
Hometown: Saginaw, MI
Program of Study: Associate in Science - transferring to Central Michigan University
Involvement: MDA National Ambassador, Leadership Academy and student employee
Scholarships: Wickson-Link Memorial Foundation, Delta College Foundation anonymous, Saginaw Community
Foundation, Elks National Foundation and Mary Free Bed Guild Scholarship
Natalie Sika always knew she wanted to go to college to pursue a career in healthcare, but it wasn’t until recently that she decided on a direction.
“I have a lot of connections within the healthcare field, going to appointments; it’s just intertwined with my journey through life,” shared Natalie. “I always knew I wanted to go into the healthcare field, but I didn't exactly know what path I wanted to go on until I wheeled into speech pathology.”
Throughout her experiences at Delta and as a Muscular Dystrophy Association national ambassador, she has developed her leadership skills and advocates for herself and others with neuromuscular diseases. Through her civic engagement class, she had the opportunity to meet with Delta College President Michael Gavin to discuss accessibility on campus.
Wherever she goes after Delta, Natalie intends to continue using her skills to make a difference in the world. “I see myself just making big, life-changing impact,” says Natalie. “Even if I don't end up in speech, I just know I want to be helping people. There's so much negativity these days and I just want to see a change.”