Del Mar College News

Del Mar College held a special luncheon at its Oso Creek Campus Thursday to kick off the third-annual Coastal Bend Restaurant Week scheduled Sept. 22 through Oct. 1. Students of the college's culinary arts program prepared a Japanese-inspired meal, including pork katsu, potato mochi and soba noodles. The 10-day event founder Mirza Mirely said that Coastal Bend Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the culinary diversity and excellence in the region. As well, it's a chance for diners to show their love for local restaurants that make Corpus Christi special.

This is the third year for the Coastal Bend Restaurant Week, and organizers have lined up 18 restaurants for the 10-day event. Del Mar College's Hospitality & Culinary Institute helped kick-off Coastal Bend Restaurant Week with a luncheon Sept. 21 that highlighted the talent and creativity of Culinary Arts students taking the Food Preparation and Services class.

Las celebraciones anuales de coastal bend restaurant week han comenzado con una deliciosa comida preparada por los estudiantes del programa de educación culinaria.

Del Mar College, the American G.I. Forum and H-E-B hosted a luncheon to honor the late Dr. Hector P. Garcia on Sept. 20. Among Dr. Garcia's influences, he was very supportive of education and is noted for saying, "Education is our freedom, and freedom is everybody's business." Every third Wednesday each year is celebrated as "Hector P. Garcia Day" in Texas.

Some women are really changing the game for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigerator (HVACR) industry. Daughters Emma and Julia grew up in the industry because of their father Alfredo Franco's work in the field, and now Emma teaches HVACR at Del Mar College using what she learned.

Del Mar College is looking to add another bachelor's degree program to its curriculum to help students enter industrial workforce management roles. College officials presented information about a new Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership degree to the Board of Regents for approval in the future to meet the request for such a degree by area industry leaders.

Del Mar College is offering support for small businesses in the Coastal Bend. The College's Small Business Development Center's services cover financial analysis, comprehensive business plans, bookkeeping, marketing research, social media strategies, and techniques to enhance online visibility—making it a one-stop shop for business growth.

Del Mar College and Project Steno are partnering to bring students a free six-week training course. Training both in-person and online will be provided by the College's Court Reporting Program with the course beginning Oct. 14/

Affordable healthcare is becoming harder to find. It may cause families to postpone necessary medical appointments. Del Mar College is helping families in the Coastal Bend by offering free dental hygiene services like cleanings, x-rays, oral cancer screenings, and dental sealants between now and mid-December at their Windward Campus facility.

HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigerator) technicians are needed now more than ever. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, there is a projected 5% increase in openings for HVACR mechanics and installers than in previous years.That's why Del Mar College is ramping up its education opportunities to help its students get certified.

Del Mar College's Court Reporting Program has partnered with Project Steno to offer a free six-week introductory basic training course both in-person and online beginning Saturday, Oct. 14. The course is designed to provide participants with hands-on exposure to steno macines, court reporting theory and an understanding of the high-demand field before pusuring formal training for the profession.

As the fall semester continues on, dental students at Del Mar College are able to benefit from hands-on experiences and training opportunities inside the classroom. DMC's Dental Hygiene Program is providing services at the Windward Campus clinic, such as teeth cleanings, check-ups, dental education and X-rays without any cost.

A celebration on Aug. 28 recognized what Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority and Del Mar College officials are calling a "super stop" at the college's Oso Creek Campus. The oversized bus stop is across from Bill Witt Park, and is an effort to improve CCRTA transportation services on the city's southside.

After nearly a decade, the NAACP has approved the reactivation of "youth and college" chapters in Corpus Christi. 3NEWS spoke with local advocates who acknowledge that recent racial confrontations could discourage young people as part of the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have A Dream" speech.

While Tropical Storm Harold blew through the Coastal Bend with a frenzy, local colleges took measures to alleviate financial deadline on their students. According to a press release from Del Mar College, the community college has announced that it will be extending their fall 2023 fees and tuition deadline to Thursday, Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. The College will also continue with registration for the fall semester with classes beginning on Monday, Aug. 28.

Officials at Del Mar College said that House Bill 8 is going to help fund their plan to pay the tuition costs for all students who want to be part of their dual credit college program. The free tuition plan, known as the Dual Credit FAST (Financial Aid for Swift Transfer) Initiative, is effective right now just in time for the fall semester.

Starting this semester, high school students will have no charge for dual enrollment credit classes at Del Mar College. Del Mar College Board of Regents approved this change this week, made possible through changes to how community colleges at funded with the passage of Texas State House Bill 8 earlier this year.

Del Mar College is considering a balanced budget and a decreased property tax rate. The DMC Board of Regents examined a preliminary budget plan on Aug. 15 and will host a public hearing and vote on the fiscal year 2024 budget on Aug. 29 as well as hear an update on the tax rate. The board plans to hold a public hearing and vote on the tax rate on Sept. 12.

A collaboration called Betchel-Del Mar College Community Partnership is offering students a chance to get their certifications at level one in The National Center of Construction Education and Research. Students gain safety skills on the construction job site with an emphasis on concrete reinforcing materials for the first half of the course.

On Aug. 9, five students in Del Mar College's Air Conditioning and Building Maintenance Applied Technology Programs signed contracts to begin working for local employers, including Scott Air Conditioning, the Port of Corpus Christi and Just Better HVAC. With over 250 licensed HVAC contractors in Nueces County, the demand is steadily rising

World War II veteran Helen Southern was born on Aug. 7, 1922 and recently turned 101-years-old on this week. People who have met her describe her as talented, witty, clever and a go-getter. As part of her birthday wish, Del Mar College's Continuing Education creative writing class, which is organized by Korean War veteran and educator Dotson Lewis, is helping sight-impaired Southern to capture her life story on audio.

The thought of student loans can make anyone shudder, especially if you want to pursue higher education. With inflation at sky-high levels, many students are seeking more financially savvy ways to bypass college and have an instant career. Jordan Cantu is a recent Del Mar College and Calallen High School graduate who got a job soon after graduating with a level 1 certificate in air conditioning applied technology.