DMC Board of Regents accepts resignation of District 3 Regent Elva Estrada
Article by Melinda Eddleman
Today during the February regular meeting, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents officially accepted the resignation of Regent Elva Estrada, who represented the District 3 seat since November 2006. Estrada submitted her letter to Board Chairwoman Carol A. Scott and DMC President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Escamilla, Ph.D., on Jan. 16.
“It has been a true honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to serve the College and our community as a Regent for over 14 years,” Estrada’s letter stated.
Estrada was last re-elected to the Board in 2018 for a term that would have run through 2024.
We regrettably accept Regent Estrada’s resignation. She has served over 14 years as our District 3 Regent and has brought valuable expertise in education to Del Mar College. Her active work for our students will be missed at this table, and she will be deeply, deeply missed as a Board member and as my friend.
Estrada served on the board during two successful bond referendums addressing College capital improvement programs focused on providing the most advanced facilities and learning resources to Coastal Bend residents. Del Mar College District taxpayers approved $157 million in 2014 and $139 million in 2016 for these initiatives.
For personal reasons it’s hard to see Regent Estrada leave the Board. She is the last of the Regents who hired me back in 2008, so we share a very special bond. As a Board member, Regent Estrada always maintained ther heart as an educator with support for our students, the community and LULAC. She always supported Del Mar College, and both she and her husband Moses are huge pillars of the community as advocates for education with hearts of community servants.
Estrada earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville) as well as earned a principal certificate in 1985 and a superintendent’s certificate in 1998. Her 35-year career in education included roles as teacher, instructional supervisor, assistant principal and principal at the elementary and secondary levels.
Retiring from the profession in 2003, Estrada continued supporting education by serving as principal at McCraw Junior High School in Mathis and then assistant principal at West Oso High School, which is within the College’s district. She also served as an educational consultant.
Her service to the community included chairing the Feria de las Flores Scholarship Program for 12 years, the Christmas Posada Program for five years and coordinating several cultural events in Corpus Christi. A supporter of many activities at the College, Estrada organized the annual fall luncheon in honor of Dr. Hector P. Garcia Texas State Recognition Day, which served as an educational opportunity for DMC students to learn more about his accomplishments and leadership locally, statewide and across the country.
Estrada’s memberships have included the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas; MANA, a national Latina organization; the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council #1; and the Westside Business Association. As a DMC Regent, she was a member of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).
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.