As a first generation student, Dr. Derrick majored in English as an undergraduate at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, a long way from his Southern Oregon home. He taught English for two years in Slovakia, then served in the Peace Corps in Estonia, where he learned Russian. Dr. Derrick began his career in the California State University System at CSU Humboldt as a faculty member in the Geography Department for 11 years.  He was then hired by Stanislaus State to created a social science program with a focus on the branch campus in Stockton.  In addition to coordinating the 12 disciplines that comprise social sciences and making the major something more than a catchall for prospective high school social studies teachers, Derrick is inspired to help the Stockton Campus, where he is based, and Stockton itself, evolve.