Cynthia Bridges Named to NASM Commission on Community College Accreditation
Article by: Rosa Linda Reynoso
Recently, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) elected Dr. Cynthia Bridges, associate professor and chairperson of the Del Mar College (DMC) Music Department, to serve a three-year term as a member of the Commission on Community College Accreditation. Dr. Bridges will volunteer her efforts to advance the quality of music teaching and learning in the United States.
“I am extremely honored and humbled to be asked to serve in this capacity,” says Dr. Bridges. “Being elected to serve NASM is a rather big deal.”
The NASM Commission on Community College Accreditation consists of three elected officials, including Chair William A. Meckley from Schenectady County Community College, Patricia P. Crossman from the Community College of Baltimore County and Del Mar’s Dr. Bridges.
The Commission’s duties are to apply the Association’s accreditation and membership standards for community colleges and associate degree programs. Additionally, the Commission investigates the maintenance of standards and the observance of published commitments by any member institution under its jurisdiction.
With more than 27 years in music education, Dr. Bridges joined the College in 2011 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and both masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Prior to coming to Del Mar, Dr. Bridges served as coordinator of instrumental studies at Malone University.
Founded in 1924, NASM is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges and universities with approximately 651 accredited institutional members. Based in Reston, Virginia, NASM is the principal U.S. accreditor for higher education in music and establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for music and music-related disciplines. Additionally, NASM provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational and other music-related endeavors.
For more information about NASM, visit nasm.arts-accredit.org.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.