At Delta College, professors aren’t just masters of their disciplines — they’re dynamic individuals with surprising passions that might just leave you saying, “Wait, they do what?”
Take Music Professor Mike Rocha, for example. Rocha is a four-time Grammy-nominated trumpeter and skilled pianist. When he’s not leading a classroom, or performing on stage, he’s a master at hands-on hobbies.
“I’m just a hands-on type of person. I enjoy woodworking, house projects, and renovations,” he said.
His home even features a custom-built smoker he crafted himself, where he perfects Texas and Memphis-style barbecue. “I like making barbecue. I’m a huge fan,” he said, expressing the same dedication to ribs and brisket as he does to his music.
If that’s not impressive enough, Rocha also brews his own beer, rides a Bonneville motorcycle, and tends a garden he proudly calls home to “the best tomatoes I’ve ever eaten.”
Professor of Drama Greg Foro spends much of his time immersed in theater, bringing the same passion for creativity to his kitchen.
“I regularly make homemade pasta from scratch with sauce and meatballs,” Foro shared. “It’s an old family recipe.”
Math Professor Dr. Jacek Kostyrko’s passion for exploration extends far beyond numbers. His love for remote, untamed landscapes has taken him and his wife to some of the most awe-inspiring destinations in the world: Alaska, the Canadian North, Scandinavia, Patagonia, and even the Falkland Islands — a place he’s visited twice.
“Each visit was absolutely stunning and unforgettable,” he said.
Kostyrko is also an advocate for veganism, which he calls “a fascinating adventure.”
For him, veganism is about exploring new flavors while maintaining a deep respect for life — a commitment he has maintained for over 30 years as an ethical stand against animal exploitation.
Professor Malika Hollinside, Chair of Ethnic Studies, has a hidden talent that might surprise her students: she’s a professional reggae singer, mi tell yuh!
Hollinside has been performing since age 4, starting as the lion in her kindergarten’s Wizard of Oz production. But, her love for reggae began in her teens when she was drawn to its “powerful message, positive vibes, and spirit.”
Over her career, she has toured internationally, performing with reggae legends in Europe and South America, and recorded five albums.
“I wrote every single one of my songs, and I co-produced my second album as well,” she said.
While she no longer tours, Hollinside still sees her classroom as a stage.
“The messages I share through my teaching are very much the same as my lyrics — that as human beings we can learn from our past to make our future better and stronger, that our culture and backgrounds are beautiful and important, and that love is the greatest power in our lives,” said Hollinside.
These professors remind us that the people who teach us are full of surprises. Their lives outside the classroom are just as inspiring as their work inside it.
