​Delta College
My Way
Nov. 20, 2025
Brandon Hillaker, a Delta student pursuing an Associate in Arts degree with a psychology transfer pathway, welding certificate and writing certificate, is transforming his story at age 43. After dropping out of school in ninth grade, Brandon hadn’t written many academic papers or conducted much research. That changed when a welding assignment led him to Delta’s library. “I typed in, ‘How does bipolar work?’ That day absolutely changed my life,” shares Brandon.
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and ADHD, Brandon turned his curiosity into purpose. He switched his major from welding to psychology and launched the Green Ribbon Initiative to connect students with resources in the community and ultimately break mental health stigma on campus.
“I decided that I wanted to break the stigma that’s attached to mental health by accomplishing ridiculous goals to show everyone that no matter what disability you have, it doesn’t have to stop you,” reflects Brandon. He competed in his first triathlon, then went on to earn 11 medals to represent the 11 years bipolar controlled his life.
Reflecting on his accomplishments, Brandon says, “I often think, ‘Where would I be today if I didn’t have Delta College?’ I’m really glad I came here.”
Nov 17, 2025
 BWell Saginaw - Brandon Hillaker's Story video #1
​There's always a way out of the dark. Brandon Hillaker, a Delta Community College student, shares his story of his own mental health journey, the places it took him, and how he was able to pick himself up and advocate for his own self-care. This story shows that anything is possible when you find those pathways through your most difficult moments, no matter what you may be going through. This is part one of two videos sharing Brandon's journey. We hope you join us to learn more about his triathlon from Hell, Michigan to Paradise, Michigan in a couple days. We continue our partnership with BWell Saginaw in working to break the stigma of mental health help and build a healthier Saginaw County.
Nov 17, 2025
BWell Saginaw - Brandon's Journey from Hell to Paradise​In Video #2
​ Brandon Hillaker's story, we join him on his Tri For Hope triathlon which took him from Hell, Michigan up to Paradise. Brandon's 400-mile trek from Hell to Paradise had many obstacles, much like his mental health journeys. However, with his courage and strength, and the support of people around him, he was able to overcome those and complete the triathlon, showing that hope and resilience can lead you through the toughest of times. Learn all about his expedition here! We continue our partnership with BWell Saginaw in working to break the stigma of mental health help and build a healthier Saginaw County.
Tri for Hope: A 400 mile Triathlon for suicide prevention and mental health awareness
by Andrea Flores
July 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
https://midmichigannow.com/news/local/tri-for-hope-a-400-mile-triathlon-for-suicide-prevention-and-mental-health-awareness-brandon-hillaker-hell-michigan-paradise
Saginaw man taking part in Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim
Sheryl Coonan
Aug 14, 2025 Updated Aug 15, 2025
https://www.abc12.com/news/local/saginaw-man-taking-part-in-edmund-fitzgerald-memorial-swim/article_87fb5a0e-a4e7-4cf2-aeda-c459f7981c3c.html
Michigan man to embark on a 400-mile journey from Hell to Paradise
by:Taryn Simmons
posted: Jun 24, 2025 / 07:13 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 25, 2025 / 05:25 AM EDT
https://www.wlns.com/news/michigan-man-to-embark-on-400-mile-journey-from-hell-to-paradise/
Tri for Hope: One man's journey from Hell to Paradise
By Chet Davis
Published: May 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM EDT
https://www.wnem.com/2025/05/27/tri-hope-one-mans-journey-hell-paradise/
​ June 8, 2025 -  I had the honor to be a guest on the Generating Gratitude show with Joe Volk on WSGW.  Generating Gratitude tells the real and emotional stories of those who have overcome obstacles. 
​WSGW Generating Gratitude Interview (Start at 25:40 on 6/8/25 episode)
https://www.wsgw.com/shows/generating-gratitude-with-joe-volk


SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE: Congratulations to Brandon Hillaker, the 2024 recipient of the Michigan Sugar Scholarship at Delta College. Brandon’s story is one of adversity, perseverance, triumph, and advocacy. A native of Chesaning, Brandon was diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder as a teenager. Mismanagement of his conditions resulted in him dropping out of high school in the 10th grade followed by a series of incarcerations until he was 24 years old. Following a stint in a prison boot camp and determined to turn his life around, Brandon moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to pursue his interest in underwater welding, eventually becoming a certified commercial diver in 2005.
Upon his certification, Brandon moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he worked as a commercial diver in the Gulf of Mexico for eight years. His career and lifestyle were fueled by adrenaline. That adrenaline, coupled with his mental health conditions, eventually triggered a five-month manic episode that led to a medication overdose in 2013.
Following the overdose, Brandon was left in a coma for two weeks and upon emerging from it had to relearn how to walk, talk, and “every normal human function.” He moved back to Michigan, started rehab, eventually meeting and marrying his wife Lisa.
To read the rest please click the link below
Delta student fights mental health stigma
September 23, 2024
By: Norman Corrion
UNIVERSITY CENTER, MICH. – Delta’s Tri-Sports and psychology club leader, Brandon Hillaker, has become a mental health champion, finding ways to improve mental health at Delta.
Hillaker has been living with mental illness for decades and takes every opportunity to share his story so others know they are not alone. Stigma kept Hillaker from reaching out for help; he attempted suicide at one point, leaving him with years of rehabilitation. He does not want anyone else to worry about mental health stigma.
“All I want to do is break the stigma and make it easier for someone else to talk about their problems and their mental health obstacles, and provide the resources they need to overcome their own obstacles,” says Hillaker.
At Delta, Hillaker’s first semester was filled with inspiration: a 4.0 GPA, a welding job as a student worker, and help from Delta’s Office of Disability Resources. He also got two scholarships and won the Donald Halog Emerging Writer Award.
​
Big day for mental health awareness at Delta
April 21, 2024The Mental Health Fair coming to Delta wants to break stigma and bring awareness to local mental health resources. 
Brandon Hillaker, founder of the Tri-Sports Club at Delta, has teamed up with other students, Delta staff and several local resources to bring a two-day Mental Health Fair to Delta. The event will take place Monday, April 22, 2024, and Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  
“One in five people have mental illness. Everybody knows somebody with a mental illness, if your child has it, your brother has it [or] your friend has it, this is the place to come get resources,” says Hillaker.  
The fair plans to host up to 30 local mental health resources; bringing in 15 resources each day. These 15 organizations will have tables set up and be available to meet. Anyone not able to attend in person can learn more via Zoom, where different organizations will be interviewed regarding what they provide for the community. 
More information is below. 
Event: Delta College Mental Health Fair 
Day 1: Monday, April 22, 2024, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
Day 2: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
​Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet
Congratulations to Saginaw’s Brandon Hillaker and Bay City’s Merson USA who were recognized for their outstanding commitment to vocational rehabilitation. At this year’s Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) Champion Awards, Brandon spoke with our Legislative Director Stephen Prince about being a Delta College student and how athletics helps him overcome mental illness.

MRS helps individuals with disabilities prepare for employment to achieve economic self-sufficiency. It is valuable work made possible through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. 
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