Born and raised in Orange County, Dylan Thomas has always been passionate about the spectacular hiking, biking and fishing the county has to offer. When it came time to enroll in college, it was this passion for the land that served as Thomas’ motivation. "To preserve this,” he thought, “we have to be cognizant of future generations."
This clinched his decision to enroll at Irvine Valley College, with the intention to later transfer to a four-year university where he planned to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. Thomas says his educational experience at IVC extended well beyond the classroom.
He immersed himself in IVC’s Geography Club and speech and debate, exploring environmental themes. He also forged connections with Brendan Wallace, a geography professor at IVC. Under Wallace's guidance, Thomas delved into geology, geography, biology, and chemistry, gaining valuable insights into Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These experiences would prove invaluable during his later internship with NASA, where he contributed to mapping projects and a population growth study.
Thomas also joined the IVC Honors Club, a decision he says would prove instrumental in shaping his academic journey and eventual transfer to UC Berkeley. Through the club’s transfer essay writing workshop, Thomas honed his narrative, clarifying his goals and solidifying his application to Berkeley.
"I wrote about how Orange County is in an area of high consumption, where people are fixated on what you have, and how it’s more important than ever to discuss sustainability,” he notes. “The experience I received in that workshop was really, really important and helped make my application complete."
After graduating from UC Berkeley, Thomas pivoted to enter the field of communications, leveraging the skills and knowledge acquired at IVC. He co-founded Fourth View Media, a multimedia startup aimed at providing diverse perspectives in the news media space. “My friend scoffed because I didn’t have any formal media training and I was doing a startup,” he recalls. “But I said, what are you talking about? We went to IVC! The caliber of English and writing classes at IVC were on par with any four-year university. The under-girding of our education was comprehensive.”
Thomas says the impetus behind Fourth View Media’s products is to underscore the importance of understanding the "why" behind news stories, a principle that guides his company's approach to presenting information.
Thomas's commitment to diverse perspectives extends beyond media. Fourth View Media organizes events, round tables, and interviews, creating opportunities for in-depth discussions on various topics. Thomas explains, "Information in and of itself isn't valuable anymore; it's not a commodity. We recalibrated our business models to include events and infographics and doing interviews for nonprofits."
Reflecting on his time in speech and debate at IVC, Thomas emphasizes its formative impact on his ability to discuss ideas and present himself professionally. He acknowledges IVC's reputation for having one of the best speech and debate teams in the country and credits the writing program for preparing him for his career.
In considering the strengths of IVC, Thomas praises the institution's balance, offering a blend of experiences and resources akin to a four-year university. He highlights the dedication of IVC professors, emphasizing the college's focus on teaching rather than chasing research funds.
Thomas says he sees potential for collaboration between employers and IVC to shape impactful curricula, emphasizing the need for creative programs that prepare students for the real world. Although Thomas is now based in Washington D.C., he notes that proximity to IVC could solidify regional bonds and enhance partnerships, emphasizing the college's strength in providing a comprehensive education.
“But even if you’re at a distance, that’s just as impactful.”