Strengthening partnerships, building student success … DMC – Coastal Bend Superintendents Symposium focused on Dual Enrollment among region’s high school students
Del Mar College dual enrollment students comprise nearly 30 percent of student population with record-setting participation this fall; ISDs and College explore ways to increase dual enrollment to prepare region’s high school students for productive, well-p
Article by Melinda Eddleman
They make up nearly 30 percent of Del Mar College’s student enrollment, and they’re already on their way to earning college-level credits toward licensure credentialing through Continuing Education program, certificates or associate degrees within academic program or DMC credits transferable to a Texas public university before they even finish high school. In fact, the credits they earn as DMC Dual Enrollment students show up on a Del Mar transcript and also count toward their graduating from high school.
On Nov. 7, Dual Enrollment students currently from 43 partnering Coastal Bend independent school districts as well as future students in the program were the subject of discussion between Del Mar College administrators and area superintendents during a Superintendents Symposium at the Oso Creek Campus. Presentations focused on strengthening DMC-ISD relationships, building more Dual Enrollment student success outcomes and improving ways to provide curriculum and training targeting in-demand workforce needs.
We’ve seen a new era of growth and transformation at Del Mar College for the past several years, including renovation and construction that modernizes the institution to serve new generations of students, including those currently in high school. Our enrollment among credit and Continuing Education programs has grown this semester, and Dual Enrollment participation this fall reached a record-setting figure with nearly 5,300 regional high school students taking courses from Del Mar College.
That figure translates into more than a 12 percent increase in Dual Enrollment participation from the previous fall with current enrollment including 3,095 taking credit courses while another 2,200 are taking Continuing Education courses––such as health care, construction, welding and others––to complete stackable credits for Workforce Skills Awards that can count toward DMC credit programs, along with high school completions.
The College offers the Dual Enrollment program to nearly 50 high schools among 43 partners combined, including regional public ISDs, parochial schools, charter schools and some home schools.
Dual Enrollment students can access computer labs and other facilities, library resources, tutoring and advising services, student life activities and DMC Commencement ceremonies. But, the most significant benefit is that the College offers the Dual Enrollment program at no cost to ALL high school students enrolled in partnering ISDs and institutions, alleviating the financial burden for families facing the cost of higher education after a student graduates from high school.
The College began providing Dual Enrollment programming at no cost to all students attending partnering high schools in fall 2023. This move resulted from passage and signing in summer 2023 of House Bill 8, which changed the funding model for Texas community colleges that is now based on outcomes. In turn, Del Mar adapted the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board-funded Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program to expand accessibility beyond those students who originally qualified FAST to provide all regional high school students with partnering institutions tuition-free Dual Enrollment participation. (read release)
The College’s Dual Enrollment program allows high school students to start earning college credits and industry-specific credentials in one of over 100 DMC certificate and degree programs among eight career pathways, including:
• Architecture, Aviation & Automotive
• Business Administration & Entrepreneurship
• Communication, Fine Arts & Social Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Industrial Technology
• Kinesiology and Education
• Public Service
• Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Del Mar College prides itself as being our region’s pioneer and leader in offering Dual Enrollment opportunities to high schools in the Coastal Bend. The College is student-centered in everything we provide our Dual Enrollment participants – whether it’s supporting students with academic advising, guiding them through the entire admissions and registration process or giving 24/7 tutoring support to ensure their success. We’re here for them!
During his presentation, Dr. Rivera shared how the College is positioning academic as well as career and technical education (CTE) programs with Texas Education Agency (TEA) curriculum standards and providing Dual Enrollment students with intentional advising to ensure they attain industry and college credentials of value that align with in-demand regional workforce needs identified by the state.
He also covered several DMC initiatives targeting middle school-age students, specifically eighth graders and their parents, to encourage Dual Enrollment participation once they reach high school.
“We’ll specifically target students in the lower 70 to 80 percent tier and give these middle schoolers the opportunity to explore possibilities by touring DMC’s programs to gain a better understanding about their own career interests,” he said.
After Dr. Rivera’s remarks, students from Flour Bluff, London, Robstown, St. John Paul II and West Oso High Schools presented a panel discussion, providing education leaders with insight into why they’re taking Dual Enrollment courses from Del Mar College. All five panelists agreed that future high school students should learn about the program sooner and the opportunities available that give participants a head start, building a foundation toward their careers.
Previously, Dr. Rivera shared data showing that among students who took DMC Dual Enrollment courses during high school, 42 percent completed a college award such as a certificate or associate degree within four years after their high school graduation. And, almost one-third of the College’s Dual Enrollment students earned a bachelor’s degree.
“College degree completion rates among our Dual Enrollment students are well above those high school students who did not participate in our program,” he noted.
Dual Enrollment students are always top-of-mind as part of Del Mar College’s mission as we provide accessible, quality education and training that leads to their success as productive members of the Coastal Bend’s workforce not only to support quality of life for themselves but for others in their community.
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.
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