Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

Program Representative: Nedal Shheber

Associate Professor of Computer Science/Engineering and CCPREP Co-Director
Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture and Advanced Technology Department

A longtime summer staple at Del Mar College, the Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (called the Corpus Christi Prefreshman Engineering Program at DMC or CCPREP) was first launched at The University of Texas at San Antonio in 1979 as a statewide initiative to encourage middle school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math or STEM. As of July 2026, CCPREP has been offered by DMC for 26 successful summers.

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: Technology continues to enhance the way CCPREP introduces middle- and high-school students to mathematics, computer science, engineering, and problem solving. Digital tools allow students to access instructional resources, communicate with instructors, conduct research, and explore engineering concepts in ways that complement classroom instruction. Technology also supports hands-on activities and engineering projects, giving students opportunities to apply mathematical and scientific concepts to real-world problems. Because CCPREP is designed to introduce students to STEM fields at an early stage, technology helps make engineering more accessible, interactive, and relevant to their future academic and career goals.


Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: One of the most impactful innovations in CCPREP is the integration of technology with hands-on engineering, problem-solving, and research activities. Rather than learning STEM concepts only through traditional instruction, students have opportunities to apply what they learn through projects such as bridge building, air rockets, electric engines, robotic cars, physics experiments, and engineering design activities. Technology helps students move from learning a concept to designing, testing, analyzing, and improving a solution. This approach makes challenging STEM concepts more meaningful while helping students develop confidence as problem solvers.


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: The combination of technology, hands-on projects, and problem-based learning gives CCPREP students an opportunity to see how mathematics and science are applied in engineering and other STEM fields. Students develop problem-solving, teamwork, communication, research, and technical skills while working on challenging projects. As students progress through the program, they move from introductory engineering and problem solving to physics, technical writing, research methods, and group research presentations. This progression helps students build both the academic foundation and confidence needed to pursue future STEM education and careers.


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth?

A: Technology makes it easier for CCPREP to connect students with schools, industry professionals, community organizations, and STEM professionals. These connections give students opportunities to learn about engineering and technology from people working in the field and to see how classroom concepts relate to real-world careers. CCPREP’s partnerships and support from organizations such as Flint Hills Resources, the American Institute of Architects, TxDOT, Citgo, and the Coastal Bend Community Foundation help expose students to the broad range of STEM opportunities available in the Coastal Bend. By introducing students to these careers while they are still in middle and high school, CCPREP helps build an early pipeline of students who may eventually pursue engineering, technology, science, and other workforce opportunities in the region.


Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: Artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and digital engineering tools will continue to influence STEM education and the engineering workforce. Students will need strong foundations in mathematics and science as well as skills in programming, data analysis, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving. They will also need to be adaptable and comfortable learning new technologies throughout their careers. CCPREP can help prepare students for this future by introducing them early to engineering concepts, research, technology, and collaborative problem solving.


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: CCPREP gives students an opportunity to explore engineering, mathematics, computer science, and other STEM fields before they reach college. Students learn through challenging coursework, hands-on projects, research, problem solving, and interactions with professionals. The program allows students to experience college-level STEM learning while developing technical, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. Most importantly, CCPREP helps students discover what they are capable of and gives them an early understanding of the academic and career opportunities available in engineering and other science-based fields. It can be the beginning of a pathway toward becoming the next generation of engineers, scientists, innovators, and problem solvers.

Additional information
CCPREP Location: Oso Creek Campus, 7002 Yorktown Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78414 (five-week summer camp every June and July)
Faculty/Department Location: Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404
CCPREP Web link: delmar.edu/offices/math/ccprep/index.html
Faculty/CCPREP Co-Directors:

• James Shollenberger, Professor of Mathematics, at jshollen@delmar.edu or 361-698-1671
• Nedal Sheber, Associate Professor of Computer Science/Engineering, at nsheber@delmar.edu 
  or 361-698-1111

Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture & Advanced Technology Department Contact Info: 361-698-1299

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

Program Representative: Paul T. Creacy

Department Chair and Instructor of Building Trades/Program Coordinator
Department of Air Conditioning, Aviation & Automotive

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: Technology has changed both how we teach and how our students learn. While our program remains rooted in hands-on training, today’s students also have access to course materials, instructional videos, assignments and communication through Canvas. This allows them to review concepts before coming into the lab and reinforce what they learned afterward. At the same time, the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) industry continues to evolve with digital controls, smart building systems and advanced diagnostic equipment. Our goal is to expose students to the technology they will encounter in the field while maintaining the hands-on experience that employers expect.

Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: One of the biggest improvements has been creating a consistent digital learning environment for every section of our courses. Students have one location for announcements, assignments, instructional resources and communication with faculty. This provides greater consistency between instructors while allowing students to easily find the information they need. It also gives faculty the ability to quickly update instructional materials as industry standards, building codes and equipment continue to evolve. The result is a more organized learning experience that better supports both students and instructors.

Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: Students are more successful when they have access to resources beyond the classroom. By providing course materials, videos and assignments online, they can review difficult topics as often as needed and arrive in the lab better prepared. Faculty are also able to communicate more effectively and provide timely feedback throughout the semester. This combination of classroom instruction, hands-on training and accessible digital resources helps students stay engaged, build confidence and develop the knowledge and skills needed for successful careers in the HVAC industry.

Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth?

A: Technology has made collaboration easier with our advisory committee members, local school districts and industry partners. Through virtual meetings, online document sharing and digital communication, we can gather feedback, review curriculum and respond more quickly to workforce needs. These partnerships help ensure our programs reflect current industry practices and prepare students with the skills employers are seeking. We also work closely with the college’s Continuing Education Department and area high schools to expand access to skilled trades education, helping build a stronger pipeline of qualified technicians to support the Coastal Bend's workforce and economic growth.

Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: The HVAC industry continues to evolve with smart building technology, energy-efficient equipment, building automation systems and more sophisticated diagnostic tools. While the fundamentals of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration remain the same, technicians must be comfortable working with digital controls, electronic troubleshooting and connected systems. Employers are also looking for graduates with strong communication, problem-solving and customer service skills. Our responsibility is to prepare students not only for today’s technology but also to adapt as the industry continues to change throughout their careers.

Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: The Air Conditioning Applied Technology Program offers excellent career opportunities with competitive wages, strong job security and a wide variety of career paths. Our students receive hands-on training from experienced faculty using equipment similar to what they will encounter in the field. Graduates can enter the workforce quickly, continue their education through stackable credentials and degree programs or eventually pursue opportunities in supervision, sales or business ownership. Whether you are starting your first career or looking to change careers, the HVAC industry provides a stable profession where skilled technicians are consistently in demand.

Additional information

Program Location: Suite B106, Emerging Technology Building, Windward Campus, 4101 Old Brownsville Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78405
Web link: www.delmar.edu/buildingtrades
Phone: 361-698-1725
Email: pcreacy@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE: JENNIFER JIMENEZ-PEREZ

Associate Professor of Learning Resources and Head of Technical Services
Del Mar College Libraries


Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: Let’s not forget that libraries are much more than books. Libraries are constantly evolving, and DMC Libraries makes sure to incorporate various new hardware, software, and eResources into our spaces. Most of our resources, whether journal articles, magazines, streaming video, or ebooks, are available through online databases.


Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: DMC Libraries works on many developments on the backend so our users can get a more functional, user-friendly interface for students to conduct their research and receive a prompter response on services and resources. Probably the most impactful technology DMC Libraries implemented has been our discovery service, Valdar’s Discovery, which searches all the library resources in one place.


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: Library use has a direct correlation to student success. By working with our highly skilled librarians and staff on general Del Mar College questions or in-depth research queries, DMC Libraries provides students with a broad variety of tools, strategies, and avenues guiding them through their Del Mar College and educational journey. Particularly, Valdar’s Discovery speeds up the research process for students and helps identify potential sources for their coursework.


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth?

A: From high-tech equipment available in library classrooms and study spaces to librarians and staff visiting with members of the DMC and larger community, DMC Libraries plays an important role using various technological resources to aid with instruction and learning of DMC students, faculty, staff, and community members. Various internal and external organizations take part in using these resources by hosting events and training scenarios onsite, such as a recent Cyber Security Summit for example.


Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: The William F. White, Jr. Library is excited for our makerspace, the D.M.C. Lab, opening soon! We anticipate a soft opening with only a few pieces of equipment available to our students, staff, and faculty that will include a laser engraver and 3D printer in early fall 2026l. Over time we will have a large format printer, 3D scanner, embroidery machine, sewing machine, and possibly other equipment down the road.


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: Heritage Campus has a newly renovated library, Oso Creek Campus has a new library, and Windward Campus’ library, the Barth Learning Resource Center, is undergoing some floor plan changes to better suit the needs of our students. Various study zones are available in our libraries such as silent study, quiet study, social study, and study rooms. Using DMC Libraries also provides the benefit of various subscription resources available both on campus and online to find scholarly journals, newspaper sources, and film. However, don’t forget about the free books!

Additional information

Locations (access online directions and campus maps):

• William F. White, Jr. Library, Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404)
• Barth Learning Resources Center, Windward Campus, 4101 Old Brownsville Rd. (78405)
• Camus Library, Main Central Building, Oso Creek Campus, 7002 Yorktown Blvd. (78414)

Web link: delmar.edu/library/index.html
Phone: 361-698-1310
Email: refdesk@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: STEVE MOORE'
 

Assistant Professor of Process Technology and Program Lead
Department of Industrial Technology
 

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: Consistency is a huge part of the Process Technology Program. Technology makes it much easier for faculty to deliver the program’s curriculum. Technology also makes developing new materials much faster.


Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: AI by far is the most impactful innovation and has sped up our process to continuously improve what we practice every semester. Faculty are always looking at ways to streamline materials to help students understand the process technology field.


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: Program faculty have seen many more students transition to their next semester classes than ever before.


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: Producing consistent products, who are our graduates, is what our industry partners need. When these partners get what they want, they come back to Del Mar College to recruit more of our Process Technology graduates.


 Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: Again, AI will have the most impact, but I am not informed enough about the potential to comment in a meaningful way.


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: I would tell a potential student that they would be part of the best graduating class we have ever had for one semester. Why? Because faculty continually strive to make the Process Technology Program better every semester. The program and its faculty already have a stellar reputation with our local industry partners, but there’s always room to continue moving forward.

Del Mar College’s Process Technology Program offers an Occupational Skills Award, Certificate and Associate in Applied Science degree.
 

Additional information

Program Location: Room 132, Workforce Development Center, DMC Windward Campus, 4101 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78405
Web link: www.delmar.edu/degrees/process-technology/index.html
Phone: 361-698-3939
Email: ptec@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: 
ROBERT MUILENBURG
 

Professor of Journalism
Department of Communications, Languages & Reading

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: During the years I have been involved with the Journalism Program, the biggest change has been the distribution process. The program still uses a traditional paper for instruction, but the focus is on immediacy. Students can distribute work as soon as it is completed. Proper usage of social media and online distribution drastically helps readership and allows students to add to content as stories evolve.


Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: It is the ability to collaborate with students at any time.


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: It helps when faculty can see students’ works in progress and not just at the end. All work improves with feedback and revisions.


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: When the Journalism Program sends students into the workforce, they enter the fie3ld with a fundamental understanding of how to use the most effective software and equipment used in the industry today. However, we don’t only send them with a strong technical understanding but also with a strong ethical understanding of how to appropriately use all tools that are available to them today.


Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) appropriately is very important. Students should never use AI to create content; however, the technology is an invaluable tool for condensing and organizing large amounts of data. For example, if I make a Freedom Of Information request for emails and am given thousands of email correspondence, AI can help me find the information I am looking for in minutes instead of my spending days reviewing the emails for what I need. AI can also make suggestions for additional data related to the information users are looking for and where to find it.


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: As part of the Journalism Program’s curriculum, students learn content creation and collaboration as well as how to utilize all the content needed to work in the media field.  

Award Winners

Visit the Foghorn News web page to read about students’ latest “wins” at the 2026 Spring Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s conference held in Denton in March: www.foghornnews.com/2026/04/foghorn-students-expand-journalism-knowledge-and-bring-home-wins-at-annual-tipa-conference/
 

In the Journalism Program Newsroom and Content Creation Lab

Additional information

Program Location: Room 101, General Academic and Music Building II (GAMBII), Building D, DMC Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Web link: delmar.edu/degrees/journalism/index.html
Student Publication (Fognorn): foghornnews.com
Phone: 361-249-6701
Email: rmuilenburg@delmar.edu
 

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: LYNETTE CERVANTES
 

Transportation Training Services Director
Workforce Programs & Corporate Services Division

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: Transportation Training Services is using AI to help with lectures and prepare students for the necessary state tests they must take. We’re also working on an AI Orientation to assist office staff with introductions the first day of class. Additionally, the program implements state-of-the-art simulators to teach students how to shift gears, learn braking maneuvers and perform virtual vehicle inspections before they even climb into a rig; and we use body and dash cams in all our commercial motor vehicles to promote a safe environment as well as protect instructors and students from potential incidents.


Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: The Truck Driving Program’s grade card is completely digital. Instructors now carry an iPad instead of stacks of grade cards. The program also has the certifications needed for vehicle inspection, including all seven Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCS) certifications, and those required for backing maneuvers, road certification and maneuvers included on the state’s test. Dash cameras are both forward and rear facing to prevent incidents during training in the trucking yard and while students and instructors are on the road.


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: Regarding digital grade cards, instructor spend less time writing, and colleagues have real-time access to students’ progress or improvement needs. AI software instructors use helps students pass the state tests more quickly while also gaining insightful knowledge. The program now requires a full week of simulator training, which is part of the prerequisite class. This change from a few days to the full week has improved students’ confidence and aptitude when they progress to the training yard.


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: Some of the technology the program uses has provided quicker access to employers through TEAMS and an app called TenStreet that helps carriers connect and employ our students. Many employers prefer Del Mar College’s Truck Driving graduates compared to other training programs because they are aware that DMC goes above and beyond to not only produce Entry Level I truck drivers but also to ensure they receive extensive training focused on safety and the standards set by the industry.


 Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: While there is still talk about driverless trucks, I doubt that we will see that change during our lifetime. A truck cannot complete the first and last mile by itself, so a driver is still needed to open the trailer doors and maneuver backward to the dock. Drivers will need new skills now that more advanced trucks require more advanced training. Mirrorless trucks are being produced, so instead of having those mirrors, cameras are now on the side door and add to the abilities needed to maneuver those vehicles. With both these foreseeable changes, our concern is the potential for hacking or possible delay in real-time visibility.


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: The trucking industry is one of the few careers where an individual can attend classes in as few as five weeks, get a professional driver’s license and begin working immediately. The average salary for entry level drivers is $38,000 to $58,000, depending on the type of trucking employment an individual pursues and the endorsements they obtain. Some graduates prefer to stay local while others choose to drive regional or even go over-the-road to drive across the country. There are driver positions available for all students, and trucking is one of the few career choices where compensation is equal … no matter a person’s age or gender.

Additional information

Program Location: Room 1108, Workforce Development Center, Del Mar College Windward Camus, 4101 Old Brownsville Rd., Corpus Christi TX 78405
Web link: www.delmar.edu/trucking
Phone: 361-698-2707
Email: trucking@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: DR. PHILLIP DAVIS
 

Professor of Computer Science
Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture and Advanced Technology 

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: The Computer Science Program sees more changes annually than any other on campus.  I’ve been teaching at Del Mar College for 43 years (since 1983), and the program has offered more than 100 new courses during that time. The only course that is the same today as in 1983 is the internship! Imagine having to continuously train semester by semester just to stay relevant in today’s technological workforce. Our Information Technology (IT) graduates require the latest and greatest technology expertise to be qualified to secure and keep meaningful careers.

Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: Well, there have been many; so, I’ll demonstrate with two examples:

In 2000, the “dot com” boom was red hot with companies like Amazon just beginning to use the Internet, which was brand new at the time. Building the Internet infrastructure was in full bloom around the world. In Corpus Christi, the first fiber optic cabling was installed across the city, and the college’s East Campus (now called Heritage Campus) was trenched and the fiber optic cable installed. New networking equipment by Cisco Networks became the industry standard, and DMC joined the Cisco Networking Academy to offer our students the opportunity to train with industry-led curriculum and certification. The college’s Computer Science Program doubled in size and trained hundreds of students during the first five years. We still offer the Cisco Academy and produce several certified technicians annually.

More recently, the program participated in a $20 million National Science Foundation grant to create state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum. When we started offering that curriculum in 2020, DMC was the only two-year college in Texas providing AI as an option.  Since then, the college has matriculated dozens of graduates from our AI Institute, many who transferred to our partnering school––Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. These graduates have produced many academic papers and presentations as well as work in the field of AI and Machine Learning.


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A:  Both the Cisco Academy and AI Institute allow Del Mar College’s graduates to become the best trained technicians in the Coastal Bend. They’re highly sought by universities and by employers seeking workers with their in-demand knowledge and skills in this field.


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: Local industry and government employers look to Del Mar College and the Computer Science Program for quality technicians who are trained in the latest software and hardware  The local workforce depends on DMC to provide graduates with the latest skills and knowledge to implement and maintain their information technology infrastructure. Our graduates in Programming, Networking, CyberSecurity and Geospatial Information Systems are found throughout the Coastal Bend’s industry and government workforce.


 Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: Boy, that’s a difficult question to answer! The past four decades have demonstrated how computers, networks and all things IT have radically changed. In 1983, 1993, 2003 or even 2013, no way could I have predicted what AI and 2023 would look like! I think we are just beginning to experience how AI and Machine Learning will impact our workforce, and some experts warn of a collapse in technology employment among the workforce due to displacement caused by AI.  Other experts predict a radically better and rewarding workforce because of AI. I think the future will bring the workforce somewhere between these two predictions. There have always been losers and winners with change. What makes this AI revolution so different is how FAST things are changing.


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: First, Computer Science will always be an in-demand skill and career path. The IT industry is not going away … AI or not. Taking a career path in this field is lucrative and rewarding.  I would also emphasize that not only is DMC’s Computer Science Program excellent, but also the college itself is a highly competent institution offering all the necessary wrap-around resources that students need to succeed. 

The college has expanded its resources in comparison to 20 years ago, and I’m always amazed how much help DMC students can access beginning with their first class all the way to graduation.

Additional Information:

Program Location: Venters Business Building, Del Mar College Heritage Campus,101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Web link: www.delmar.edu/offices/cseat/index.html 
Phone: 361-698-1299 (department)
             361-698-1112 (Dr. Phillip Davis)
Email:  pdavis@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: LIZA TORRES

Instructor of the Dental Assisting Program
Dental & Imaging Department

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

 A: Technology has completely transformed how we teach and support Dental Assisting students. The Dental Assisting Program uses learning management systems, instructional videos, digital simulations and interactive platforms so that students can learn and review skills before they ever touch a patient. As a result, they come into lab more confident, prepared and ready to focus on hands-on mastery—not panic. 

On the clinical side, the program uses Trajecsys to manage externships, track hours, monitor competencies and streamline communication between students, faculty and dental offices. The technology keeps everyone accountable and eliminates guesswork. In clinic, Roam cameras allow faculty to observe and record student performance during evaluations and then review footage together with students to identify strengths and areas for growth—real coaching, not guesswork. Students also train with intraoral scanners, learning to take accurate 3D impressions alongside traditional methods so that dental offices don’t have to train graduates from scratch. The bottom line is simple: technology helps faculty meet students where they are while maintaining high standards and real-world expectations. 


Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve? 

A: One of the most impactful innovations the Dental Assisting Program has implemented is the Trajecsys externship tracking platform. Previously, everything was paper-based—attendance, evaluations and documentation—which often led to delays, missing paperwork and miscommunication. Moving to a digital platform streamlined the entire process. Students can clock in, log experiences and submit required documentation in real-time while clinical sites can complete evaluations quickly and easily. This solved a major organizational problem and significantly reduced stress for everyone involved.

An added benefit that truly impacts student growth is immediate feedback. When an instructor or externship site submits an evaluation or comment in Trajecsys, students gain instant access to that feedback. They don’t have to wait days or weeks for paperwork to circulate or questions to be answered. Instead, students can immediately see what they’re doing well and where they need to improve, allowing them to adjust and grow in real-time. That immediacy creates accountability, clarity and confidence; and it keeps learning continuous rather than delayed. 


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

 A: This innovation has made students more accountable, organized and confident. They can clearly see what’s expected of them, track their progress and receive feedback without confusion. Because instructors can monitor activity in real-time, we can step in early if a student is struggling rather than waiting until the end of the rotation. It also mirrors the digital systems students will use in dental offices, helping them build professional habits before they graduate. Students feel more supported and less overwhelmed, which directly impacts completion rates, confidence in clinical settings and overall readiness for employment. 


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: Technology has made collaboration much easier with local dental offices and clinical partners. Digital platforms allow faculty to communicate expectations clearly, share schedules and evaluations as well as maintain consistent standards across sites. Employers appreciate efficiency and transparency, which encourages them to continue hosting student and often hire them after graduation. These partnerships ensure our curriculum stays aligned with real workforce needs. By graduating students who are trained on current technology and workflows, we’re helping meet local demand for skilled dental assistants and supporting the overall growth of healthcare services in the region. 


Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need? 

A: Looking ahead, advancements in digital imaging, 3D scanning, electronic health records, AI-assisted scheduling and teledentistry will continue to reshape the dental field. As these technologies become standard, future dental assistants will need to be highly adaptable and comfortable learning new systems quickly. Strong digital literacy, attention to detail and the ability to navigate software platforms will be just as critical as hands-on clinical skills. Communication, professionalism, teamwork and an understanding of data privacy will also be essential in technology-driven practices. 

At Del Mar College, our Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Programs consistently stay a step ahead. We actively research emerging trends, collaborate with industry partners and pay close attention to what dental offices will need next to ensure our students are prepared before those expectations become the norm. Students already train with advanced 3D imaging, intraoral scanners and digital workflows, so as technology evolves, they will continue to sharpen these skills. Our goal is simple: developing graduates who are confident, adaptable and ready to grow with the profession they’re investing in. 


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service? 

A: If I were talking to a prospective student, I’d highlight three key things right away: quality, opportunity and long-term value. Del Mar College’s Dental Assisting Program is one of only seven accredited programs in Texas by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and that distinction matters. CODA accreditation sets a high standard for education, patient safety, ethics and clinical competence. Students receive in-depth training in head and neck anatomy, infection control, radiology and patient care—training that goes far beyond what short-term certificate programs offer.

 The Dental Assisting Program also serves as an excellent foundation for students who may be exploring the dental field. Some students begin in Dental Assisting and later decide to pursue Dental Hygiene. Others discover they want to become dentists and go on to earn a biology degree at a university before applying to dental school. That flexibility makes this program a strong starting point, not a dead end.

Del Mar College is the only option in Corpus Christi where students can earn an Associate of  Applied Science in Dental Assisting degree. Furthermore, students can also build upon that degree once earned by continuing their education and transitioning into Del Mar College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership, which costs a fraction of what they would pay at a university. At every step, the college and the Dental Assisting Program’s faculty focus on student success, career mobility and long-term growth.
 

Additional Information:

Program Location: Health Sciences Building 1, Del Mar College Windward Campus,4101 Old Brownsville Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78405
Web link: delmar.edu/degrees/dental-assisting/index.html  
Phone: 361-698-2858
Email: dit@delmar.edu 

You can also learn about the DMC Dental Hygiene Program online at 
delmar.edu/degrees/dental-hygiene/index.html.

 

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: RACHEL JENNISCHE, Ed.D.
 

Assistant Professor. Radio, Television and Digital Media
Department of Communications, Languages and Reading

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: The leap from analog to digital technology has really improved access in the media industry overall. What once took hundreds of thousands of dollars in machines can now be done with a phone. Because technology now changes so quickly, we must be constantly ready to adapt to the latest industry standard. The basics of good ethical and impactful storytelling, steady shots and engaging visuals are still there – but how they are captured changes.
 

Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A:  Just a few years ago, this program was still primarily running analog technology. Students were utilizing VHS tapes in classes but didn’t use that at home or in the industry. Thanks to some great people at the DMC Foundation, community donations and the DMC Information Technology Department, students now have access to a fantastic computer lab, a podcasting studio and a digital broadcast control room. This was a game changer for the program.
 

Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: Students can truly emulate what it is like to work in the media field. Yes, they can use their phones for some basic projects – but to truly be professionals, they need access to professional tools. Local employers are excited that our students leave their classes as skilled editors, designers, cinematographers and writers. Their hands-on projects mirror the expectations of the media business and get them ready for university transfer and industry employment.
 

Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: Because our technology mirrors professional standards, I can say “yes” when exciting opportunities arise for our students. This fall, we partnered with the Coastal Bend Day of Giving and KIII to provide news stories about nonprofits in South Texas. Students learned about giving back and got to see their work featured on local network television. I am proud to say that our students played a small part in raising more than $4.5 million for the Coastal Bend. The students learned a lot from this experience and have a new line to put on their resumes.
 

 Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: AI is impacting creative industries faster and in different ways than anyone could have imagined. While it is easy to be dismissive and think it won’t impact us – that would be foolish. AI can generate video and graphics rapidly, but at this point, it doesn’t necessarily mean anyone wants to watch it in its original form. The 2025 Coca Cola holiday commercial utilized AI; their ad team had 100 people cull through more than 70,000 generated video clips before they could find something acceptable for use. While AI might be able to create, human oversight is still necessary to define what the audience wants to see… and to ensure hands and faces look normal. I think that AI will play a part in the creative process, but primarily, employers will still want the originality of human-created content that is reliably and consistently good. A lot of people who rely on AI spend a lot of time fixing AI content. We use AI as a tool in our creative process. We create the original footage, content and graphics, but we use AI to organize files and transcribe interviews. This is how most professional creators are using it. DMC students have access to the entire Adobe Creative Suite while they are Mass Communication students.  This places their AI tools in their hands so that they learn how to use them while they are here to develop expectations about what is possible and what is ethical. As far as what digital technology comes next… I have no idea.  But we will be ready for it when it happens!
 

Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: I think our biggest benefits are the hands-on opportunities and technology available to students. If they need a camera – they can get one and take it home. If they need a computer – our lab is equipped for editing massive files. Their projects are utilized outside of the classroom in The Foghorn and with local media outlets. Their work regularly earns state and national recognition for storytelling and creativity. When our students graduate, they have a body of work that demonstrates they have learned what it takes to be successful in this industry.

We are constantly working with our employer and transfer partners to make sure students are ready to go on to a university with all their credits or enter the professional workforce.  This is a unique degree that prepares students for whichever avenue they are ready to take.

Additional information

Program Location: Fine Arts Center, Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Web link: delmar.edu/degrees/digital-media/index.html and delmar.edu/degrees/radio-and-television/index.html 
Phone: (361) 698-1534  
Email: rjennische@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: DR. DAIYUAN “DAISY” ZHANG

Program Director and Professor of Biotechnology
Natural Sciences Department

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A:  Biotechnology is a field constantly changing and improving. To provide students with remarkable opportunities faculty are actively involved in grant, workshops and training certification, and  curriculum is updated constantly to match industry requests and research focus. Students are provided with paid internships, certification workshops and conference presentations. These efforts help our students see pathways ranging from learning to application in the workplace and builds the pipeline of skilled workers in our economy.  
 

Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: Over the last 10 years, the Biotechnology Program has demonstrated unique and impressive student outcomes from the HHMI-SEA Program compared to traditionally instructed courses. All SEA Phage students successfully isolated novel phage viruses and characterized their virus with faculty noting elevated levels of student excitement and engagement compared to the traditionally mentored science labs.  HHMI-SEA students have been voluntarily working on their viruses on weekends and have taken ownership of their isolated bacteriophage viruses. Several students’ novel phage viruses have been selected and the genome (DNA) completely sequenced. During the spring semester the virus genomes (DNA) were completely annotated and submitted to the “Gene-Bank,” including students’ names as authors. Students also entered the name of their phage into the phage database and obtained electron microscopy images (TEM) of their isolated phages. 
 

Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: More than 100 DMC Biotechnology students have had the opportunity to travel outside the South Texas region, providing them with life experiences outside of their communities while gaining valuable work experiences as interns. These experiences have also led to future job opportunities. Additionally, these students show improved communication and professional skills with some  placing in regional and/or national conferences. Some have even published in peer reviewed journals, so the college’s Biotechnology team continues to collaborate with industry, government agencies, project partners and academia [to give students optimal opportunities that will impact their future.]
 

Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: The Biotechnology Program has built a complete educational pathway starting with high school outreach to stacked and latticed certificates and degrees to smooth transition into a bachelor’s degree at one of several public universities based on our articulation agreements.  There are several points where students could exit into industry or re-enter the program, depending on their circumstances and life challenges. There is also a new emphasis on biomanufacturing, and the curriculum fundamentally differs from research-based “biotechnology” taught by most colleges. The discipline leads directly to employment in a career that provides a livable wage and potential for upward mobility in Industrial Biotechnology. 
 

 Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: Relocation of the program to the Oso Creek Campus was a great move. Course enrollment has increased 20 to 30 percent since the move, and the bigger space has allowed more students to register for our hands-on classes. Articulation with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and collaboration with the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing (NCTM) in College Station are beneficial for both the Biotechnology Program and our students. New skills that focus on bio-manufacturing and a quality control component are all we need to incorporate into several biotechnology courses. Industry employers value the undergraduate research experience we offer students, and they understand students can pursue a different focus on their career path. But, employers appreciate seeing the research experience and industrial certificate listed as core courses in the program’s degree plan.
 

Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: Research-based courses, internship opportunities, our certification program and workshops, connection with future industrial employers, opportunities to travel and present research posters at state and national conferences and the chance to win awards are the key factors that our students will tell you as to why you should enroll in the college’s Biotechnology Program. Most of all, students will develop better soft skills, including teamwork and communication, people and critical thinking skills.

Additional information

Program Location:  Room 325, STEM Building, Oso Creek Campus, 7002 Yorktown Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78414
Web link: delmar.edu/degrees/biotechnology/index.html
Phone: 361-698-1484
Email: dzhang@delmar.edu
 

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.  

PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVERS:

• Amy Alvarez, Assistant Professor of Cardiac Sonography and Program Director
• Veronica Pena, Associate Professor of Diagnostic MedicalSonography and Clinical Coordinator
• Christin Vega, Professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Program Director

Department of Dental & Imaging Technology

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

Advancements in technology have transformed how we teach Sonography at Del Mar College. Our students train on six state-of-the-art Philips ultrasound machines that mirror the systems used in local hospitals and clinics. From day one, they perform live scans on prospective student volunteers and on each other, gaining hands-on experience with anatomy, image acquisition and patient interaction. This practical approach bridges classroom learning with real-world practice, building confidence and helping students refine their skills alongside their clinical rotations.


Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

Our biggest game-changers have been adding SonoSim ultrasound simulation software, Cardiac and OB/Gyn mannequins and a scan trainer to our curriculum. These tools give students realistic scanning practice without relying solely on live patients or lab time. Students can use them anywhere, including at home, to work through real pathology cases they might not encounter in class or clinical rotations. The instant feedback helps students build confidence, refine their skills and connect classroom learning to real-world clinical situations.


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

Technology strengthens our partnerships with local hospitals and imaging centers while giving students hands-on, real-time lab-based scanning experience with volunteers and peers, along with at-home simulation practice. This approach not only keeps our curriculum aligned with industry standards but also helps students learn to become integral members of the teams they are training with and will likely work alongside after graduation. In our community, most practicing sonographers are graduates of Del Mar College’s program, and all faculty and adjunct instructors are alumni, demonstrating the program’s lasting impact, effectiveness and commitment to serving the region’s healthcare workforce. We’re ensuring that graduates enter the workforce with the skills and experience needed to meet the growing demand for diagnostic imaging professionals.


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth?

Technology plays a key role in strengthening our partnerships with local hospitals and imaging centers, allowing program faculty to collaborate more effectively and stay closely connected to the healthcare community. At the same time, Technology gives our students both hands-on lab experience and at-home simulation practice, providing flexible, real-world learning opportunities. This integration ensures our curriculum stays aligned with evolving industry standards and prepares graduates to enter the workforce confidently, fully equipped with the skills needed to meet the region’s growing demand for highly trained diagnostic imaging professionals.


Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are rapidly becoming integral to everyday diagnostic imaging, transforming how sonographers capture, analyze and interpret data. Advanced tools that assist with image analysis and automate measurements promise to enhance both accuracy and efficiency, allowing clinicians to focus on higher-level decision-making. To thrive in this evolving landscape, DMC graduates will need strong critical thinking skills to interpret AI-generated results, maintain their clinical judgment and seamlessly adapt to emerging technologies—all while continuing to provide the compassionate, patient-centered care that lies at the heart of the profession.


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program?

One of the unique opportunities the college Sonography program provides students is gaining hands-on experience scanning live volunteers, many of whom are prospective students earning extra points toward program admission. These volunteer exams give our students a safe, supportive environment to practice, refine and perfect their scanning skills while building confidence and professionalism. It’s a win-win: Students get invaluable real-world experience, and volunteers receive personalized attention and insight into the program. Adding to this experience, all our faculty are program alumni, which brings an emotional personal touch that strengthens connections, mentorship and the overall learning environment.

Additional information

Location: Health Sciences Complex, Windward Campus, 4101 Old Brownsville Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78405

Web links:  
Cardiac Sonography: www.delmar.edu/degrees/cardiac-sonography/index.html 
Diagnostic Medical Sonography: www.delmar.edu/degrees/diagnostic-medical-sonography/index.html 

Dental & Imagining Technology Phone Number: 361-698-2858
Email: dit@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.  

PROGRAM REP: LAURA WRIGHT BIENEK, AIA,RID, NCARB, LEED AP

Program Director and Associate Professor of Architectural/Drafting Technology
Department of Computer Science, Engineering, and Advanced Technology, STEM Division

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: Advancement in technology is greatly enhancing how those of us practicing in Architecture deliver our services. Producing a complete set of Construction Documents is one of the primary duties of an architect. Developing the drawings and specifications for construction is a long, complex process. In the last few decades, the development of AutoCAD programs and then Building Information Modeling programs like Revit have greatly allowed the industry to produce those documents even faster. [These programs] also have allowed us to view how various building systems come together in the model in real time to lessen the number of errors and omissions and detect any issues with the convergence of these systems early on. The advancement of 3D modeling design tools such as Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, and Sketchup have allowed us to more easily model more complex, organic forms digitally and quickly advance the level of architectural design. Now, our imaginations are unhindered by our abilities to recreate in a 3D model what we can dream up. Today, advancements in AI technology are allowing us to speed up long arduous tasks and even help us to implement design scenarios and test them digitally before construction, which saves a lot of money by allowing us to explore new possibilities before it becomes brick and mortar structures.


Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: Architects can easily visualize a structure and the types of spaces we can create. Visualization of three-dimensional space or forms is not so easy for a layman such as a client or user of a building to see. So, advancement in technology such as animation software and VR (virtual reality) technology help us to show the client so they too can envision future space. We have begun implementing this technology in our programs to help students learn how to better communicate to their clients.


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A:  There are numerous tools we have at our disposal. We are trying to make as many of those tools available to the students as much as possible. These various digital tools have allowed students to realize their designs in many ways, using as many as needed to create the models, views and other forms of output to express their ideas. A good example is a student can develop free-flowing forms in Rhinoceros and then import the model into Revit to develop a formalized floor plan. The student can then import the digital model into Lumion and apply materials, lighting and people to set the scene for still images shown in magazines or fly through animations to make their designs appear more realistic. As students learn more about these tools, they can generate their final deliverables quicker and easier for final presentations.


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A:  The Architectural/Drafting Technology program has a strong relationship with the local building industry. We surveyed all aspects of the industry to see what software local firms use predominantly so we could train students in all technology they would most likely encounter in the workforce. Our close partnerships with industry have kept open lines of communication so that we consistently garner feedback on what the latest industry trends and needs are. We strive to provide a fully trained workforce to meet those needs and then some, and we also have been training students on new technology to give them a leg up in the workforce to be more marketable with additional skills. Some of our students have been hired because they had skills in animation and rendering and/or 3D printing technology that firms may not have had.  [Developing these skills among our students] has created a close, symbiotic relationship between academia and practice locally.


 Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A:  The building industry in South Texas is booming. Our students will be the future design and building professionals of this economy; and with the new Bachelor of Architecture partnership between Del Mar College and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, we look to build an Architecture school that focuses on innovation in construction technology, sustainability and resiliency. We’ll train strong project managers and leaders in the building industry, so we look to tighten the gap between school and practice by training students to collaborate between disciplines much like architects, engineers and contractors do in practice.


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A:  The Architectural/Drafting Technology Program has a strong connection with industry. We can help students prepare for the workforce and be a highly marketable asset to future employers. Also, with the new Bachelor of Architecture partnership between Del Mar College and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, we will be providing a seamless, turnkey pathway toward architecture licensure without having to leave the Coastal Bend.

Additional information:

Program Location: STEM Building, Oso Creek Campus, 7002 Yorktown Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78414
Web link:  https://delmar.edu/degrees/architecture/index.html
Department phone: 361-698-1739
Email: lwright15@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.  

CENTER REP: MARY LUTTRELL

SWC Online Coordinator
Stone Writing Center Learning Resources

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: Supporting student access to our services requires perennial adapting. The Stone Writing Center (SWC) is always seeking new technology that enhances our instruction and connects us to students. While the SWC also utilizes familiar software, including word processors, Canvas, and internet browsers, we recognize that the way students use these technologies has changed, especially since the pandemic and with increased usage of mobile devices. With the help of Patricia Jones in IT, we recently redesigned the SWC homepage. Because students primarily access content on their phones, we created material with a mobile-first approach to ensure seamless navigation. Our goal is to help students quickly find what they need and discover valuable resources they might not have known were available to them. We are committed to ensuring students feel as welcomed in our digital spaces as they do at our on-campus locations.
 

Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: The SWC’s early adoption of online instruction has been our most impactful innovation. In 1995, the SWC piloted online instruction for dual-credit labs before Del Mar College was online. By 2015, the center established online tutoring via Canvas while honing our process to ensure that tutors spend about half-an-hour on detailed, written tutorials. Our accessible platform and efficiency positioned us to provide roughly 13,700 tutorials during campus closure due to the pandemic, offering uninterrupted writing instruction.

Because our center is homegrown, our writing instruction is carefully tailored to DMC’s student population. The SWC recently initiated an in-house developmental education program to more deeply understand and better serve the writing needs of students in dev-ed courses. We’ve found that a notable percentage of students visiting SWC Online are among this population, and we are proud that our online instruction plays a positive role in their academic journeys and experience of campus community.
 

Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: Our unique use of Canvas for asynchronous online writing tutoring ensures students can submit their writing for feedback 24/7, allowing us to stay open even during holiday breaks, including Spring Break and Thanksgiving. The submission process takes no more than five minutes, which helps us remain accessible to students with a busy schedule. Moreover, students can submit multiple drafts of their work through Canvas, as often as needed, which honors the recursive and collaborative nature of the revision process via an easy-to-use, student-friendly platform.
 

Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: Our writing tutoring, both online and on-campus, is available to high school students enrolled in Dual Credit and Early College courses through DMC, contributing to the college’s supportive relationship with Corpus Christi and the surrounding community. When students in local high schools use our services, we have an opportunity to further their instruction on college-level writing and career readiness. When students have the resources to successfully acquire college credits early—and potentially graduate college early—the likelihood that they’ll contribute to the region’s innovating sectors increases.

Meanwhile, our workshop program is open to all DMC courses, including hybrid and online classes. We collaborate with Nurse Education and Physical Therapist Assistant faculty to offer field-tailored workshops on professional documents, such as resumes and cover letters. The SWC also provided workshops on README files for Computer Science students. We are always excited to help foster the professionalization of our students!
 

 Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: Given the rapid development we’ve witnessed with various emerging technologies, [ranging] from artificial intelligence to biotechnology, DMC graduates will need to be equipped with the skill of lifelong learning—the ability to not only teach themselves but also discern where to focus their skill-building. Other cognitive strengths, including critical thinking and adaptability, will also serve them in the ever-evolving landscapes of their chosen industries. Writing center andragogy emphasizes student agency and independence, and while we may not be able to teach students about technology that will be relevant in five years, the time students spend with us in the SWC fosters their ownership of their choices and intellectual contributions. Ultimately, we want DMC students to know their voices (in writing or otherwise) to belong in the conversations of tomorrow.
 

Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: The SWC is a friendly, warm environment staffed with caring, skilled tutors and instructors who are happy to provide feedback on any type of writing assignment at any point in the writing process. We assist students with all writing concerns, no matter how big or small. Our staff prioritizes students’ comfort with sharing their writing because we understand how nerve-wracking it can be to ask for writing help, regardless of skill level! We also foster students’ confidence in their ability to improve their writing with practice, ultimately becoming more independent writers. While writing is often associated with communication with an audience, it is also a profound vehicle for the writer’s own thinking. When our students apply themselves to writing, they nourish their very cognition.

Additional information

Program Location: Second Floor, Willilam F. White, Jr. Library, Heritage Campus 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Web link: delmar.edu/offices/swc/index.html
Phone: 361-698-1364
Email: swc@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community. 

Center Rep: Herminio Blas Ibanez

Tutor Support Services Coordinator
Student Success Center

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: [The Student Success Center is] moving from “click through five systems” to “get one clear, trusted answer.” Our co-developed faculty/advisor facing AI assistant puts vetted policies, placement rules and how-to steps at instructors’ and advisors’ fingertips. IT and College Relations provide a secure integration and data governance [as well as] help translate policy into an accessible, student-friendly language. At the Student Success Center, we then model and share these tools so frontline teams spend less time hunting links and more time with students. Technology shortens the path to clarity; people use the saved time to teach, coach and connect. 


Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?A:

A:  It’s a faculty/advisor AI companion that centralizes official information and answers plain-language questions. IT and College Relations ensured a single source of truth (SSO, permissions, auditing) so that answers are accurate and secure as well as shaped responses that are readable, accessible and on-brand. Now a faculty member asks, “What qualifies this student for MATH 1314?” and gets a concise, citable answer with next steps. It reduces friction and frees time for high-value human interaction.


Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: It’s still too early to tell, but we hope [the AI assistant] will make things easier for advisors and students to make the time spent helping the student even more meaningful.


Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth?

A: [This technology] has allowed us to build stronger connections with other departments at the college. With A&P (Anatomy & Physiology), the center has a Virtual Reality model for the anatomy models, allowing us to help more students [by providing] access to that information. With Computer Science we teamed up to foster innovation and creativity with a Gam Jam project, which can translate into workplace skills in the future.


Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: Technology and AI literacy [because they’re tools] that have the potential to lift our students up if they learn how to make the most of them and bolster their creativity and curiosity.


Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A:   Student Success Center staff are always looking to see what new ways we can help the students become successful and more complete learners. We will continue to embrace tech and resources to make sure we meet the students where they are. 

Additional information:

Program Location: Venters Business Bldg., Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Web link: www.delmar.edu/offices/ssc/index.html
Phone: 361-698-2259  
Email: ssc@delmar.edu

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.  

Program Rep: Paul Creacy

Interim Department Chair and Instructor of Air Conditioning Applied Technology
Department of Architecture, Aviation and Automotive

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A: Automotive technology changes every year, and our instruction must keep pace. Vehicles today are built with advanced electronics, computer-controlled systems, and hybrid technology that require new methods of teaching. In our labs, students train on modern diagnostic scan tools, computerized alignment systems, and electronic service platforms that replicate what they’ll see in the workforce. These advancements allow us to move beyond just mechanical repair and ensure students gain the diagnostic and problem-solving skills that are critical in today’s industry.
 

Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: The most impactful innovation has been achieving Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation accreditation for the Automotive Applied Technology Program. Accreditation sets a national benchmark for curriculum, equipment, and instructional quality. Before accreditation, there was no formal assurance among employers that our students were being trained to industry standards. Now, accreditation validates our labs, tools, and teaching method and, gives employers confidence and students a credential that carries weight across the country. Accreditations and our advanced training equipment solved the credibility problem and ensures our students’ training is nationally recognized.
 

Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: ASE accreditation has raised expectations and outcomes across the board. Students now graduate from a program that employers trust, which helps them secure jobs more quickly and often at higher wages. Our accreditation achievement also drives us to continually update equipment and training methods so that students are always learning on current technology. That connection between classroom learning, lab practice, and industry standards has built confidence in our students and improved retention, completion, and job placement results.
 

Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: Technology has made it easier to keep employers engaged and ensure our program stays aligned with workforce needs. Through advisory boards and industry feedback, we adapt our labs to include the newest diagnostic tools and electronic repair processes. By producing graduates who are job-ready on day one, we help local employers fill critical positions and strengthen the overall workforce and economy of our region.
 

 Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: Our graduates will need strong skills in electronics, computer software troubleshooting, and high-voltage safety in addition to traditional mechanical knowledge. The ability to adapt and keep learning will be essential because technology in this field changes quickly. Looking ahead, we will continue investing in lab upgrades and new equipment so that our students are prepared for the vehicles of tomorrow and can remain competitive in the workforce.
 

Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: The Automotive Program offers hands-on training with modern equipment, national ASE accreditation, and direct pathways into high-demand careers. Students learn in fully equipped labs that replicate real-world shop environments, guided by faculty with extensive industry experience. Employers in our community are actively looking to hire our graduates, and the demand for skilled technicians continues to grow. The program not only prepares students for immediate employment but also gives them a foundation for advanced certifications and long-term career growth in the automotive industry.

 

Additional information:

Program Location: Windward Campus, 4101 Old Brownsville, Corpus Christi, TX 78405
Web link: www.delmar.edu/degrees/automotive-applied-technology/index.html
Phone: 361-698-1725  
Email: pcreacy@delmar.edu