Del Mar College News

The Del Mar College board of regents is looking for a new member. Candidates interested in the open board seat can apply by submitting a letter of interest, resume and up to five letters of reference addressing their qualifications to the Del Mar College Office of General Counsel. Applications are due by noon Friday, Jan. 27.

Opinion contribution by Texas State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa: As the demand increases for skilled workers, our community colleges fill a critical role in the effort to prepare Texans with the work skills they need to compete for higher paying jobs. The Texas Commission on Community College Finance's recommendations focus on performance-based funding that's tied to measurable outcomes, including the number of credentials that provide professional skills, credentials awarded in high-demand fields, and transfers to four-year universities.

Coastal Bend veteran and trucking business owner Ashley Leiva was named "Top Military Veteran Rookie Driver" in a national trucking competition. She completed Del Mar College's Transportation Training Services Program in November 2021 and, along with her brother Johnny Leiva, was nominated for the national competition that is part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation\s Hiring Our Heroes initiative.

Ashley Leiva, the Army veteran who won a Kenworth big rig on Dec. 16, returned to Del Mar College's Windward Campus on Monday, where she completed training for her CDL through the College's Transportation Training Services Program. The program's director nominated Leiva for the 2022 National Transition Trucking Driving for Excellence Award, and she won.

Belen Castellanos Fredrick earned an associate's degree in Spanish from Del Mar College on Dec. 16. The junior at Flour Bluff High School received her associate's degree in Spanish. She started her journey when she was 12 years old with the College's TexPrep Prefreshman Engineering Program and plans to have another associate's degree by the time she graduates high school.

After competing against 10 other contestants, Ashely Leiva won the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Transition to Trucking” award program. The program recognizes new truck drivers who are transitioning into civilian life after serving in the military. A November 2021 graduate of Del Mar College's Transportation Training Services Program, Leiva was nominated by DMC faculty for the award.

The Del Mar College board of regents on Tuesday accepted the resignation of regent Linda Villarreal, who will be the new dean of the College of Education and Human Performance at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

The Del Mar Board of Regents swore in two of its recently elected three regents Tuesday afternoon. They were Libby Averyt, who was re-elected to her at-large seat, and David Loeb, who was newly elected to the Board. and represents District 2. District 5 Regent Carl Crull could not make the Dec. 13 meeting.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board announced five recipients of its 2022 Star Awards. Institutions were recognized for exceptional contributions toward meeting one or more of the goals outlined in the state’s new strategic plan for higher education, Building a Talent Strong Texas. Del Mar College is among those five.

The TRUE 22 Industrial Skills Grant covers the cost of program tuition for Industrial Workforce Skills Award programs at Del Mar College as well as approximately $500 in required course tools, textbooks, and software, but students are expected to take on a partial financial responsibility for their course supplies.

With law enforcement agencies across the state continuing to struggle with manpower issues, cadets from Del Mar College are being scouted to fill the vacancies. Director of Del Mar College's Regional Police Academy John Hornsby said agencies from all across the state, including the Dallas Police Department come to recruit his students.

The Texas Commission on Community College Finances report suggests that community college be made more affordable for low income students by increasing financial aid through the Texas Education Opportunity Grant. Officials with Del Mar are backing the move as state funding currently offsets only about 20-percent of what they need to operate and educate. Two of the people serving on the 12-member commission made up of college officials, business leaders and lawmakers are Del Mar President Mark Escamilla and Chair of the Board of Regents Carol Scott.

The TRIO Educational Opportunity Center is a new program at Del Mar College helping people in South Texas obtain their educational and career goals.

Since summer 2020, Del Mar College’s new model of continuing education has been focused on ensuring the program is stackable and convertible, creating pathways for continuing education students to proceed into more advanced programs.

Life after military can be a challenging road for veterans trying to navigate into the civilian world. Ashley Leiva from Gregory is one of those veterans. She and her brother Johnny turned to Del Mar College. She took a class for veterans who are changing lanes to civilian life and received her commercial driver's license.

Fewer people are deciding to pursue higher education nationwide. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, there are 4 Million fewer students in college now than there were 10 years ago. However, in the Coastal Bend, the President of Del Mar College, Mark Escamilla, said they are expecting a rebound from the pandemic.

There are more women in the trucking industry today, but Ashley Leiva is the only female finalist in the national Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award program, which honors veterans who enter the transportation industry. On Tuesday, the Corpus Christi City Council recognized her with a commendation. The U.S. Army veteran is a 2021 graduate from Del Mar College's Transportation Training Services Program and was nominated for the national award and local City Council recognition by DMC faculty.

A local veteran from Portland who was nominated by Del Mar College for the 'Transition to Trucking' Award will be honored by the city council on Nov. 15. Ashley Leiva, a U.S. Army veteran, is a November 2021 graduate from the College's Transportation Training Services Program.

Sparks flew Friday morning at Del Mar College as local high school and college students tested their welding skills during the college's first Día De Los Muertos Welding Competition. Around 110 competitor overall, including those from 17 area high schools, along with post-secondary programs such as Del Mar College, Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend and South Texas Vocational Technical Institute, competed throughout the day.

Del Mar College has rebranded its school mascot. On Thursday, Valdar the Viking rocked the runway at the Harvin Center to show off his new look.

A big reveal took place at Del Mar College as the Valdar the Viking strutted his new look down the runway. The college mascot didn't get one, but three new looks, including a Hawaiian style look for when he hits the beach.

Sofia Jimenez grew up in a household where mental health was not talked about — though several of her family members suffered from mental health issues. On Thursday, Jimenez was on hand at the Del Mar College Counseling Center’s “Spooktacular" mental health and resource fair to help raise awareness of counseling, health services and other resources available to students.