Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr.

Usually held in May, Del Mar College held its venerable honors ceremony – Recognition Day – for the 2025-2026 academic year on Thursday, Sept. 3. Although a new school year has already begun, it’s never too late to celebrate the accomplishments of students committed to making the most of their time at DMC as well as recognize three outstanding faculty members selected by the student body to represent the campus where they teach.

Presented by the college’s Student Leadership & Campus Life, Office the 74th Annual Recognition Ceremony took place in Richardson Performance Hall on Heritage Campus.

Overall , the college honored 132 students across all four academic divisions––Division of Business, Entrepreneurship and Health Sciences, Division of Communication, Fine Arts and Social Sciences, Division of Industry and Public Service and Division of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Kinesiology and Education––with Outstanding Achievement Awards.

Prior to announcing the newest inductees to the DMC Hall of Fame, the Student Government Association recognized the three 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year, who are determined by students nominating and voting for their favorite faculty member on each DMC campus––Heritage, Windward and Oso Creek. With the votes counted, DMC’s 2026 Teachers of the Year are Professor of Biology Billy Bob Long with the Department of Natural Sciences on the Heritage Campus, Director of Dental Programs and Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene Eva Sepulveda with the Department of Dental & Imaging Technology on the Windward Campus and Associate Professor of Geology Sean Hurt with the Department of Natural Sciences, who teaches on the Oso Creek Campus.

The ceremony culminated with the induction of the college’s newest members into the Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor recognizing inductees’ leadership and participation in student organizations.

Founded in 1949, the three inductees joined the ranks of 428 Hall of Fame other members and include Elyda Vasquez, who earned an Associate in Arts in Art and Drama in spring 2026, Nurse Education major Isaiah Herrero and Education major Fabian Gonzales. Both Herrero and Gonzales are expected to graduate this December.

A familiar face around campus, Vasquez was an award-winning member of the Vocal Vikings speech team, earning multiple awards during performance events at speech tournaments. She was also named to the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association All-State Forensics Squad. Vasquez was also heavily involved with Del Mar Drama, building costumes and sets for multiple productions during her time on campus.

Herrero has also left a lasting mark on the college. He founded the Emergency Medical Services Club and currently serves as president as well as vice president for the Student Government Association. He is also the SGA Officer for the DMC Campus Advisory Board and is a Viking Vanguard Student Body Ambassador. Herrero was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society-Gamma Sigma Chapter in 2025 and made the President’s List that same year.

Gonzales also participated as a member of the Viking Vanguard and served as president of the Education Society. Last fall, he took part in the Turkey Bowl flag football game, which features two teams consisting of volunteer faculty, students and staff, and he also served as a keynote speaker during a DMC Graduates Dinner. Gonzales has been named to the Dean’s List and is involved with community organizations that include Educating Children’s Future, Junior Achievement and Reading Across America.

For the students and faculty who were honored Sept. 3, 2025-2026 was a banner year. And the college’s Recognition Day ceremony acknowledged their achievements.

Article by Melinda Eddleman

Nick Flores understands the financial challenges youth growing up in small San Patricio County towns face when they’re ready to pursue college. The chief executive officer of Coastal Bend LNG, a privately held energy infrastructure development company focused on redefining liquefied natural gas in Ingleside, grew up down the road in Portland.

And he is by establishing the Coastal Bend LNG Scholarship with the Del Mar College Foundation.

On Sept. 3, Flores and other company employees presented a $25,000 check to DMC Foundation representatives during a formal acknowledgement at the William F. White, Jr. Library on the Heritage Campus. The investment is providing selected students with a full scholarship toward completing the Del Mar College degree or program of their choice.

Already, eight Ingleside High School graduates have received a scholarship for this fall semester to pursue their associate’s degrees, including: Camryn Brasher (social work), Elexandria Casner (nursing), Eric Castaneda (business administration), Grace Gaytan (business administration), Masiela Pena (psychology), Bethany Ramos (Kinesiology), Seth Ruff (nursing) and Marissa Villarreal (respiratory therapy).
 

Flores noted, “For years, Ingleside and the Coastal Bend have exported their talent, but I want to invest in that talent locally by creating financial opportunities for our students to build successful futures right here in their hometown. Now that I’ve found success in my own career, it’s time to do my part and support students who were once just like me, looking for the opportunity to do something meaningful with the talent they have.”

By partnering with Del Mar College, Coastal Bend LNG recognizes that Ingleside High School students have the desire, drive and ability to pursue higher education. However, financial barriers can stand in their way. The scholarship will help remove this challenge and give students greater access to higher education and pathways to successfully reach their goals.

To access the DMC Foundation’s donor profile for Coastal Bend LNG, visit dmcfoundation.awardspring.com/AS/home/donor/CoastalBendLNG.

Article by DMC College Relations

Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a workshop beginning at 10 a.m. and their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development located at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map.

The college will also livestream audio and video during the workshop and regular meeting. Community members may access both by going to www.delmar.edu/webcast/index.html by 9:55 a.m. for the workshop and 12:55 p.m. for the regular meeting.

Copies of the Agenda Notices and Board Packets are available online as follows:

• 10 a.m. Workshop: https://www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/workshop-packet_9-8-26.pdf
• 1 p.m. Regular Meeting: https://www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regular-meeting-packet_9-8-26.pdf

Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the college’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.

Article by DMC College Relations Office

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold two called meetings for public hearings on the adoption of the budget and tax rate beginning at 11:30 a.m. and noon, respectively, along with a third called meeting at 12:30 p.m. Both public hearings and the called meeting will be held in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development located at 3209 S. Staples (78411). (Get online directions and map.)

The two public hearings and the called meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the hearings and meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 11:25 a.m. and 11:55 a.m., respectively, for the public hearings and 12:25 p.m. for the called meeting.

Access to the Aug. 25 Agenda Notices is provided online using the following links:

• Budget Adoption Hearing (11:30 a.m.): www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/public-hearing-packet-budget_8-25-26.pdf
  
• Tax Rate Adoption Hearing (Noon): www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/public-hearing-packet-tax-rate_8-25-26.pdf
  
• Called Meeting (12:30 p.m.): www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/called-meeting-packet-8-25-26.pdf

Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the college’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.

Article by DMC College Relations Office

Del Mar College (DMC) has named Elisa Olsen its new vice president of communication and marketing, bringing an experienced higher education communication and marketing leader to the college’s executive leadership team.

Olsen, who most recently served as director of communications for the City of Corpus Christi, will join Del Mar College on Aug. 24. In her new role, she will oversee the College Relations Office, which encompasses communication, marketing, events, student recruitment and enrollment.

With more than 27 years of experience spanning higher education, public-sector communications, media relations and strategic marketing, she brings extensive experience to the role. Her higher education career includes senior leadership positions as chief marketing officer at Lone Star College and assistant vice president of university relations at the University of Houston-Downtown as well as marketing and communications positions at Sam Houston State University and the University of Houston.

Her work has focused on strengthening institutional reputation, advancing enrollment priorities, engaging internal and external audiences and building meaningful connections between institutions and the communities they serve.
 

Olsen holds a bachelor’s degree in technology leadership from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Sam Houston State University. She has led teams recognized by the American Marketing Association for excellence in marketing, including Crystal Awards for online marketing and nonprofit event campaigns.

Article by Richard Guerrero, Jr.

If Robert Muilenburg’s service to Del Mar College (DMC) could be summed up succinctly in one word, that word would be an obvious one to the faculty and staff who have watched him tirelessly educate student journalists year after year––“impact.”

During DMC’s fall convocation Aug. 17, Muilenburg was recognized for his impact on the lives of his students as the college’s 2026 Dr. Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching Excellence recipient in front of faculty, staff and administrators at Richardson Performance e Hall on the Heritage Campus.

He is the 24th recipient of the coveted faculty award established for its namesake, the late Dean Emeritus of Arts and Sciences and English Professor Dr. Aileen Creighton. Each year after the nomination and selection process, the college community learns who the recipient is through the presentation of a special video and award of a medal and plaque during convocation.

Beginning with the fundamentals of mass communication in the classroom to role-oriented courses in basic news photography, media writing, editing and layout as well as related courses such as Principles of Advertising and Introduction to Public Relations, Muilenburg’s own role is to guide budding journalisms through diverse courses that prepare students for a variety of employment options.

Beyond coursework, the student lab is where much of the more nuanced learning about the world of journalism takes place with the production of the student newspaper, Foghorn News. As Adviser, Muilenburg manages the paper’s student staff, offering sage advice to those on deadline struggling with a dull headline or unsure about the quality of a photo in a news package in addition to handling more technical aspects of publishing each issue.

Muilenburg can point to his own experience as a photographer for The Foghorn in the mid-1990s shortly after arriving at Del Mar College following his enlistment in the U.S. Army. Learning and working under then-Journalism Professor Manuel Flores, Muilenburg also built a strong relationship that would prove fortuitous in the years to come.

The South Dakota native first finished DMC’s Journalism Program in 1997 after serving in the military as a photographer and then earned a bachelor’s degree in photography from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He later completed a master’s degree in journalism from Murray State University in Kentucky.

While fulfilling his educational goals and working, Muilenburg freelanced for major newspapers and area dailies, including the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and the Dallas Morning News as well as the Commercial Appeal in Memphis and The Tennessean in Nashville while working for the University of Tennessee as Photographic Services Coordinator.

In 2006, Muilenburg returned to South Texas and began teaching at DMC as a tenure-track Instructor of Journalism with the college’s Communications, Languages & Reading Department.

“Being The Foghorn Adviser for the past 20 years has been the most rewarding experience of my career. I enter each semester with a great deal of optimism about what the students can achieve, even this many years into it. It’s cautious optimism, but optimism, nonetheless,” he said.

In addition to his college duties, Muilenburg has held several roles for the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA), including as President in 2019-2020. He presently serves as Assistant Director of Events and Programming for TIPA.

His drive and expertise coupled with the hard work of his students have resulted in a heap of awards – at least 287 state and national awards during the past three years.

While many faculty members offered praise and support for Muilenburg as a candidate for the Creighton Award, it’s the alumni who attested to his impact in the most profound way.

Today, Bill Eaves is employed at KIII TV3 News as a Story Desk Editor. But it wasn’t so long ago that Eaves was a newly arrived student in search of a career through Del Mar College following enlistment in the U.S. Navy and a stint as an antiterrorism officer for the U.S. Army.

Fellow alumna Ana Alldredge also launched a successful career, and today, she is a Public Relations Associate for the Corpus Christi firm KCS Public Relations.

Her support letter states, “Professor Muilenburg will never fully know the depth of the impact he has had on my life; but I hope that one day when he looks out at everything his students have become, he understands that every dream we are living, every barrier we pushed through, and every moment we chose to keep going even when it was hard, had his name written all over it.”

And after today, that impact was honored as Muilenburg joined the 23 other Creighton Award recipients who preceded him.

Watch below the video used to announce Muilenburg as the 2026 Dr. Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching Excellence recipient:

Contributed by Phillips 66

Phillips 66 presented a $10,000 contribution to the Del Mar College (DMC) Foundation during an event on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. The contribution will fund scholarships for students enrolled in Del Mar College’s Process Technology and Instrumentation programs. This marks the second time Phillips 66 has supported the DMC Foundation through scholarship funding following a previous $10,000 contribution in 2020.

Isaac Hinojosa, a Del Mar College alumnus and Phillips 66 Coastal Bend Operations Supervisor, shared how the college's workforce programs shaped his path from student to industry leader and reflected on the direct connection between education and career opportunity in the Coastal Bend. Hinojosa earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Process Technology from Del Mar in 2014 and joined the Phillips 66 Coastal Bend facility in 2020.

Phillips 66's mission is to provide energy and improve lives, a commitment the company demonstrates through investments in education, workforce development and economic opportunity in the communities where it operates. By providing scholarships, the company helps reduce financial barriers for students pursuing technical education and career-focused training while investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.

Del Mar College enrolled 11,882 students in fall 2025 with nearly 80% of students working while pursuing their education. Career and technical programs continue to represent a significant portion of enrollment, including Welding Applied Technology, which accounted for 8.4% of students and ranked as the college’s fifth-highest enrollment program.

Recognizing the important role community and technical colleges play in preparing students for careers in energy, manufacturing, the skilled trades and other high-demand industries, Phillips 66 continues to support workforce development through partnerships with institutions like Del Mar College.

About Phillips 66

Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) is a leading integrated downstream energy provider that manufactures, transports and markets products that drive the global economy. The company's portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties, and Renewable Fuels businesses. Headquartered in Houston, Phillips 66 has employees around the globe who are committed to safely and reliably providing energy and improving lives while pursuing a lower-carbon future. For more information, visit phillips66.com or follow @Phillips66Co on LinkedIn.

View interviews with DMC and Phillips 66 representatives below:

Article by Melinda Eddleman

Did you know that 76 percent of Americans do not have an estate plan according to a 2025 Caring.com study? Creating a will helps protect loved ones, provides peace of mind and offers those planning their estate an opportunity to support causes that matter most to them. And if you “Google” to see what the average cost is to seek advice and services to create a will, the expense can range anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000.

The Del Mar College Foundation has a solution.

As part of Make-A-Will Month, the DMC Foundation is launching a new and free estate planning service in partnership with FreeWill, a legally valid online tool that provides individuals an easy way to create a will in about 20 minutes. The service is available at partner.freewill.com/dmcfoundation, allowing individuals to generate a legally valid estate plan at no cost that protects their family and records their wishes.

Current DMC Foundation supporters can register their existing gift at partner.freewill.com/record/dmcfoundation.

He adds, “A gift in your will to a nonprofit organization such as the Del Mar College Foundation will cost nothing but will have a lasting impact on educating our community for many generations to come.”

Individuals who choose to include Del Mar College in their estate plans will be recognized as members of the DMC Foundation’s new Legacy Del Mar Society, honoring their commitment to creating educational opportunities for future students.

Since 1983, the DMC Foundation’s mission has focused on providing scholarships, supporting educational programs and removing barriers for community members to reach their unrealized potential.

The “no cost” benefit of using FreeWill is possible due to support from hundreds of nonprofit partners. Users’ wills are valid in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and the site utilizes guidance from expert attorneys. Individuals using the online tool are assured their information is safe. The site encrypts all data, never stores sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and meets strict safety standards set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The DMC Foundation selected to partner with FreeWill to make the process simpler for supporters to help sustain Del Mar College’s educational opportunities among community members for years to come.

Learn more about FreeWill at their website: www.freewill.com/.

Questions for the DMC Foundation? Call 361-698-1317 or email foundation@delmar.edu.

Article by Melinda Eddleman
Video by Richard Guerrero, Jr.

In April, Del Mar College (DMC) announced that two students with the Baking/Pastry Program–– Mazzy Tagliaferro and Tina Walsh––were selected by the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Sister City Committee to travel to Agen, France, in Junel (read the posted release/watch pre-travels video). Both students are with DMC’s Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Department with Tagliaferro having already completed Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts studies and Walsh planning to complete her associate’s degree in Culinary Arts after finishing her Baking/Pastry training.

After learning they had been selected for the city’s inaugural Culinary Exchange Program in Agen, they were ready to pack their bags for an experience of a lifetime during nearly two weeks of immersion in another culture’s way of cooking.

On July 21, Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo and City Council members recognized volunteers with the Sister City Exchange Program and Del Mar College’s Culinary Arts & Hosp8itality Management Department and the two students for their participation in the inaugural Sister City Culinary Exchange Program and its success. Mayor Guajardo even read a proclamation as part of the recognition.

The two students’ travels ended nearly two months ago with their return to Corpus Christi, but the memories are still fresh. Watch the video below to learn more about Tagliaferro and Walsh’s experiences, along with Sister City representative Valarie “Val” Harbolovic sharing more about the program and Corpus Christi’s relationship with Agen, France:

Del Mar College’s Culinary Arts and Baking/Pastry Programs are accredited as “Exemplary” by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission. The Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Department offers:

• • Baking/Pastry: Associate of Applied Science degree, Certificate[RG1]
• • Culinary Arts (Chef Training): Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree
• • Hospitality & Tourism Management: Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree, Occupational Skills Award[RG2]

Interested individuals can also reach the main departmental office at 361-698-1856.

Corpus Christi’s Sister City Exchange Program also partners with four other cities––Keelung City (Taiwan), Toledo (Spain), Veracruz (Mexico) and Yokosuka (Japan)––giving both high school and college participants the opportunity to see another part of the world. Guided by Sister Cities International, the program focuses on four pillars: Arts & Culture, Business & Trade, Community Development and Youth & Education. Learn more by clicking on the following: Sister City Exchange Program.

Article by DMC College Relations

Tuesday, Aug. 11, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development located at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map.

The regular meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 12:55 p.m.

A copy of the Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available online using the following link:
www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regular-agenda-packet-8-11-26.pdf.

Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the College’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.

Article by Melinda Eddleman

Del Mar College’s “other” STEM-focused summer camp, known as #Code_IT Camp, has become a popular activity for underrepresented middle school-age youth with the West Oso Independent School District (ISD), along with other tweens from around Corpus Christi interested in learning all about coding. In fact, all 18 seats for the camp’s first week, which started July 20, and the 15 seats available the following week were filled early with a waiting list already set for summer 2027.

The camp gives sixth through eighth graders the opportunity to spend some summertime learning the principles of computer science, programming and coding; and on July 22, they participated during DRONE DAY, receiving instruction on how to program and then fly a drone.

The college offers the camp free to participants thanks to a $17,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant as part of their AI Program. The NSF’s program was developed as part of an overall goal to keep Texas and its workforce globally competitive in what is now a high-tech world.

Grant funds support DMC’s coding camps that address the state’s initiative to show young minds the possibilities that await them by encouraging participants to pursue high-tech STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.

Developed and conducted by DMC Computer Science faculty as a team-building experience, the #Code_IT Camp offers several levels of coding curriculum focused on spatial reasoning, computer programming, logic and design as well as text-based coding. Campers are exposed to computational thinking, and programming languages such as JavaScript and Python.

During the first week, campers learn programming and robot building––including Sphero Bolt Robots and GoPiGo with Raspberry Pi and CoDrone EDU, a programmable drone for learning and coding in Python. Students also engage in Artificial Intelligence-focused curriculum using online applications like Trinket and Google’s Scratch for CS First. Campers are then introduced to opportunities to join organizations like FIRST Robotics at their perspective ISDs by connecting them with a local FIRST Robotics team. Additionally, the highly successful competitive Collegiate High School Robotics Team teaches, demonstrates and conducts fun robotics exercises with the campers.

By the time the #Code_IT Camp ended on July 31, all participants had engaged in eight hours of classroom instruction each week and performed 32 hours of hands-on activities combined using four types of robots with advanced programming.

“Our hope is that camp participants are inspired and their passion ignited to pursue STEM studies, especially computer science,” noted Betz.

Attending this year’s #Code_IT Camp at Del Mar College put them one step in the right direction.

Article by DMC College Relations Office

Tuesday, July 28, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a called meeting beginning at 11:30 a.m. in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development located at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map.

The college will also livestream the called meeting. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 11:25 a.m.

A copy of the Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available online as follows: delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/bor-called-meeting-agenda-packet-7-28-26.pdf .

Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the college’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.

Article by Richard Guerrero, Jr.

When campers attended this year’s Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) at Del Mar College (DMC) need guidance to work through problems that arise during projects, they turned to someone who walked in their shoes before. TexPREP mentor Adriana Ayala Pascasio participated in the summer camp while she was a student at Kaffie Middle School between 2019 and 2021. The experience proved transformative for Pascasio.

Today, Pascasio is a sophomore studying computer engineering at Texas A&M University after graduating as the valedictorian of the Class of 2025 at the Collegiate High School at the college and earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in Liberal Arts from DMC. She’s just one of several TexPREP alumni who have returned to serve as mentors for the next generation of campers according to TexPREP Director and DMC Mathematics Professor James Shollenberger.

A longtime summer staple at the college, the Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program 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. TexPREP has been offered by DMC for 26 successful summers, and the program’s longevity has been made possible by the 14-year lead sponsorship from Flint Hills Resources with overall donations reaching nearly $300,000.

Shollenberger says this year’s program had 40 campers, including the largest Year 3 group ever with 14 students working on six different research topics.

“Campers participated in activities like bridge breaking, robot races, the Corpus Christi chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ project and multiple STEM research projects,” he said.

The college’s rigorous TexPREP is accredited by the Texas Education Agency. Students who complete each program year can earn one elective credit for every camp they attend. The coursework and projects become more advanced each progressive year that students complete.

Shollenberger noted campers can start high school with almost a half semester of credits by completing all three program years and even use those credits to graduate early.

The college’s TexPREP utilizes project-based learning that progresses as students continue their participation each summer. Bridge building introduces campers to civil engineering, robotics to mechanical engineering and computer programming and vehicle model building to electrical engineering and aerodynamics. Members of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects also teach and mentor second-year students as they build models while learning the principles behind designing such wonders.

As a mentor and TexPREP alumna, Pascasio said that she advises participants to take advantage of the programming that camp offers because they set the foundation for the challenges students will discover in advanced math and science courses in high school and college.

“I think that being in a college environment helps young students to become more focused. Once they get to high school, teachers there will see that TexPREP campers are more advanced and disciplined,” she said.

“These kids know that once they get to class, they’re expected to sit down, take notes and really understand what’s going on because they have to the homework and there’s no one that’s going to help them. So, it really does set you up for success. It teaches you the discipline as well as the topics that will help you get to more advanced classes once you get to high school,” Pascasio added.

Shollenberger could not agree more.

To learn more about the college’s TexPREP, visit www.delmar.edu/ccprep. And start thinking about enrolling your young genius next summer.

Article by Melinda Eddleman

The event is like taking a one-day trip that immerses participants in food, art, literature, music, history, community involvement, language and even politics that have shaped the local Mexican American culture’s identity. And this Saturday, July 25, you can take that journey during Del Mar College’s 12th Mexican American Studies (MAS) Summer Seminar, “Necesitamos Más, MAS,” to explore what makes this South Texas community unique.

The free educational and celebratory event, which provides insight into topics covered by the college’s MAS academic program, runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Solomon M. Coles Classroom Building on the Heritage Campus located at 101 Baldwin Blvd.,78404 (online directions/campus map). While registration is not required, participants who would like the light breakfast and lunch, sign up is available at events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1785011.

Questions? Contact Dr. Araiza at iaraiza2@delmar.edu or the Department of Social Sciences at 361-698-1228.

Ranging from keynote addresses to breakout sessions to an art exhibit featuring local young artists, the rundown of the seminar is as follows:

• 8:30 a.m.: Event opens with check-in/in-person registration
• 9 a.m.: Welcome/Opening Plenary
• 10 a.m.: Concurrent breakout sessions
• 11:50 a.m.: Light lunch/Mariachi performance
• 12:15 p.m.: Keynote address with Jenna Jasso
• 1:45 p.m.: Concurrent breakout sessions
• 3:15 p.m.: Closing discussion covering DMC Mexican American Studies Center/Raffle

A detailed schedule listing breakout session topics and more is available on the MAS Summer Seminar website at www.delmar.edu/degrees/mexican-american-studies/summer/index.html

As noted by Dr. Araiza, Jasso will provide a keynote address, which begins at 12:15 p.m. and titled Empowering Communities Through Connection to Place. “I had the opportunity to tour the food forest last summer, and the way that Jenna talked about the connection with land, culture, identity and history was so powerful,” she says.

“With a company she founded, Tierra Sagrada, Jenna has worked with schools, universities and colleges as well as the private sector and has designed outdoor spaces embracing native species with an eye toward responsible water use; so, given our recent water crisis, her work seemed like this powerful intersection of the mission of the MAS Summer Seminar coupled with addressing real on-the-ground issues we are facing,” Dr. Araiza adds.

In addition to Jasso’s work, the summer seminar features a morning panel discussing Tejano Radio and its role in community-building. Other morning sessions will focus on Mexican American art, literature and folklore. Afternoon breakout sessions will focus on justice-related topics—voting rights, Mexican American women as change-makers and young people exploring past and present issues in the community.

“It’s going to be a great seminar!,” exclaims Dr. Araiza, and she encourages everyone to mark their calendars for Saturday, July 25, to “Get more. Get MAS!” at Del Mar College and immerse themselves in a cultural learning experience right in their own backyard.

Learn more about the DMC Mexican American Studies Program as an academic opportunity at www.delmar.edu/mas.

Article by Melinda Eddleman

Their role is important for any employer who has mechanical equipment as part of their operation. These technicians “keep things running,” and many industrial-related employers across the Coastal Bend need these specialized employees to stay in business.

Who are they? They’re millwrights or industrial machinists. And they fix it all––ranging from pumps, steam turbines, gas turbines, wind turbines, gear boxes, blowers, fin fans and valves to mixers, conveyors, power plants, hydro-electric generators and even nuclear power plants––so if equipment rotates or reciprocates, millwrights maintain it.

The field is expected to grow 13% nationally between now and 2034 with over 54,000 positions needing to be filled annually according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Locally, Workforce Solutions for the Coastal Bend’s website indicates that the average earnings for the field is nearly $62,000 with annual job openings around 38.

As one of the Coastal Bend region’s industrial employers, leadership with ArcelorMittal Texas HBI understands the need for skilled workers such as millwrights. The company produces annually at its Portland facility over 2 million metric tons of high quality hot briquetted iron (HBI) as a sophisticated pre-material used to manufacture steel.

On Monday, July 13, DMC Foundation and Del Mar College leadership recognized and celebrated both the company’s partnership and commitment to the college and regional communities with a naming ceremony and plaque unveiling for the “ArcelorMittal Millwright Lab” located in the Workforce Development Center on the Windward Campus. As part of the event, the company’s leadership presented a commemorative oversized check for $737,700 to represent their commitment and investment for a well-trained workforce.

The company’s support has reduced financial barriers for students pursuing careers in the high-demand technical fields targeted through the ArcelorMittal Texas HBI Scholarship, serving as a pipeline of skilled workers not just for ArcelorMittal Texas HBI but also other Coastal Bend employers. Many scholarship recipients are building careers with leading regional employers, including ArcelorMittal Texas HBI as well as Steel Dynamics, Cheniere and other industrial partners throughout South Texas.

Since 2020, approximately 180 students have received an ArcelorMittal Texas HBI Scholarship, and the DMC Foundation anticipates awarding an additional 40 to 50 scholarships during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Of students receiving an ArcelorMittal Texas HBI Scholarship, DMC Assistant Professor of Industrial Machining Applied Technology and Millwright Dan Anderson noted, “I can honestly say that without this unconditional support, several of my students would not have graduated. These scholarships have changed lives!”

Since 2015, DMC’s Industrial Technology Department, which offers the Millwright Program and related training, has awarded a combined 103 Certificates and Associate in Applied Science degrees.

The plaque now designating Anderson’s training facility as the “ArcelorMittal Millwright Lab” will remind current students and generations to come of the company’s commitment to educational success, a highly skilled workforce and a strong economic investment built on partnerships to make South Texas and the Coastal Bend the best place to live.

View highlights of the July 13 event and segments of speakers’ remarks by clicking on the video below:

Editor's note: Pictured in the page banner are company employees, along with Del Mar College President and CEO Dr. Mark Escamilla (fifth from left) and Dr. Michael Spitz (white-rimmed glasses), CEO of ArcelorMittal Texas HBI, posing together in the newly named ArcelorMittal Millwright Lab after the July 13 naming and plaque unveiling ceremony. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

The clock is ticking. Tuesday, June 30, is the deadline for Del Mar College (DMC) District residents to request information and start the application process for the “Freedom to Dream 2.0” Tuition Waiver Program as part of the second cohort that will begin this fall semester.

As a first for DMC that began last fall, the innovative Freedom to Dream program is designed to expedite qualifying in-district students’ completion of an associate degree within a three-year period by attending full time after signing a commitment contract. However, the 2.0 version has been updated.

The college’s online inquiry and application process form for the revised program is still available through Tuesday for the 2026-2027 academic year. Freedom to Dream 2.0 addresses selected students’ college readiness to ensure success in reaching their goals is achieved.

To date, 1,853 in-district residents have applied for Freedom to Dream 2.0.

 She adds, “Freedom to Dream 2.0 continues our commitment to providing the pathway toward success for the next cohort of students, and we’re implementing upgrades that address student needs discovered with the first cohort.”

Dr. Benavides-Dominguez notes that focusing on college readiness and the addition of “Success Coaches” will keep students on track from the beginning to the end of their journey at DMC. “Our goal is successful student outcomes as we prepare all Freedom to Dream participants for the workforce or their next path in higher education, ” she says.

Success Coaches’ primary focus is to increase student retention, persistence and graduation rates for Freedom to Dream students. These individuals provide students with personalized coaching so that students meet tuition waiver program requirements, complete educational and transfer goals as well as connect to resources that support academic success.

Compared to the first iteration of Freedom to Dream, DMC’s revised Freedom to Dream 2.0 Tuition Waiver Program focuses on “college readiness” as a requirement along with other updates associated with this change:  

     • Applicants must demonstrate their preparedness for college-level courses by earning college
      readiness benchmark scores on the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) 2.0 test.
      See steps to take the TSIA test and readiness score requirements.

     • Freedom to Dream 2.0 will not cover tuition for developmental courses needed to bring 
       participants up to college level work in English, mathematics and reading.

Students can alternately pursue stackable “Marketable Skills Awards” offered through DMC Continuing Education (CE) programs that can count toward academic programs, build workforce skills and are considered by the state as “credentials of value.”

Qualifying individuals must live within the college’s taxing district, which includes the Corpus Christi, Calallen, Flour Bluff, Tuloso-Midway and West Oso Independent School Districts and parts of London and Robstown ISDs. 

Other criteria include:

     • High school graduates must be part of the Class of 2026, including General Education 
        Development (GED) recipients, and Dual Credit students, who are eligible regardless of the 
        number of credits they’ve earned.
     • Adult learners must have 12 or fewer semester credit hours completed and have attempted no 
        more than 18 semester hours at the time the fall 2026 semester begins, which is Aug. 24. 

Among other requirements original to the program are 1) enrollment as a full-time student with no less than 12 semester credit hours each semester (fall and spring) and 2) maintaining a minimum 2.0 grade point average to continue receiving the tuition waiver.

To learn more about qualifying criteria for Freedom to Dream 2.0 and to fill out an online request for information form, visit www.delmar.edu/freedom. 

Questions? Contact Del Mar College’s Student Enrollment Center at 361-698-1290 or enroll@delmar.edu.

Fall 2026 credit classes begin Monday, Aug. 24. Registration is already underway!

Del Mar College … where you can “own your dreams!”

If you have some extra time on your hands this summer and need to expand your skills for the local job market, Del Mar College’s Continuing Education Department is offering four classes at Rockport-Fulton High School this July to get started…FAST! Registration is already underway with one course beginning Monday, July 13.

The four courses range from four days to four weeks and include career training to become an administrative assistant as well as health care training to become an Electrocardiography (EKG) technician. And courses can lead to earning Marketable Skills Awards that can also count toward DMC academic credit programs down the road.
 

The high school where these courses are scheduled is located at 1603 Pirate Drive, Rockport, Tx. 78382.

Rockport-Fulton and surrounding area residents can complete the following as part of taking that next step:

• Administrative Assistant: Beginning Accounting for Administrative Assistants (ACNT 1001): Mondays and Wednesdays, July 13-24, 6 to 9 p.m., cost is $242, no books required.
• Administrative Assistant: Communications in Management and Business Administration (BMGT 1005): Mondays and Wednesdays, July 27 - Aug. 7, 6 to 9 p.m., cost is $362, no books required.
• Electrocardiography: Medical Law and Ethics (HPRS 1005): Monday-Thursday, July 13-16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., cost is $195.
• Electrocardiography (ECRD 1011): Mondays through Thursdays, July 16 - Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., cost is $273. This course requires a prerequisite course (HPRS 1006: Essentials of Medical Terminology).

Learn more about the CE Electrocardiography Technician Program and admissions requirements at  www.delmar.edu/ce/healthcare/ekg/index.html. Details covering the department’s Administrative Assistant training program are available online at www.delmar.edu/ce/training/admin/index.html.

To learn more about the registration process for Continuing Education students and to register, visit www.delmar.edu/ce/registration.html or contact the CE Office at 361-698-1328 or ce@delmr.edu.

Financial aid may be available to registrants who qualify.

Del Mar College … where you can “own your dreams!”

-DMC-

It’s never too early to begin developing career-oriented skills, especially if you’re a high school student in rural South Texas where job prospects can be often challenging for experienced workers. To help students learn skills that are a good fit for employers in the region, the Rural

South Texas Economic Development Corporation created Los Mesteños Career Academy in 2008. The academy works to create community and regional partnerships, including one with Del Mar College, to provide career-training opportunities that otherwise would not be available.

The Los Mesteños Career Academy sponsors rural high schools such as Rivera, Falfurrias, and Premont High School, providing students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at Del Mar College while earning a paycheck. Through the program, students develop carpentry skills and gain real-world work experience while earning a real-world credential.

Nicole Ramon, Del Mar College (DMC) DMC Program Manager-Industry Training, Continuing Education and Off-Campus Programs, says DMC’s Career & Industry Training department recently hosted 23 students from rural high schools, including Premont, Rivera and Falfurrias, at Windward Campus.

The program held a Recognition Ceremony on June 18 to celebrate the accomplishments of the cohort during the training period. Joshua Rojas, South Texas Regional Director for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, assisted in the presentation of certificates.

During their time on campus, students participated in hands-on construction training, gaining valuable practical skills and exposure to career pathways in the industry. In addition to this experience, students will earn an Industry-Recognized Construction Credential through the Home Builders Institute.

“Through this collaboration, Del Mar College provides students with early exposure to construction and technical career pathways, along with hands-on training, industry experience, and the opportunity to earn recognized credentials,” Ramon said. “This partnership strengthens the connection between education and workforce development while supporting student access to career-focused training opportunities.”

The program is managed by Crystal Ramirez-Garcia, LMCA Executive Director, and Rebecca Salinas, Director of Career and Industry Training. For more information, call 361-698-2163 or email nramon@delmar.edu.

Tuesday, June 9, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a workshop beginning at 10:30 a.m. and their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development located at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map.

The college will also livestream the regular meeting. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 12:55 p.m.

Copies of the Agenda Notices and Board Packets are available online as follows:

• 10:30 a.m. Workshop: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/workshop-packet-6-9-26.pdf

• 1 p.m. Regular Meeting: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regular-board-meeting-packet-6-9-26.pdf

 
Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the college’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html. 

The demand for dental hygienists is on the rise with employers generally part of the private sector in Texas. According to November 2024 data from the Health Professions Resource Center with the Texas Department of State Health Services, projections indicate that between 2022 and 2036 supply of dental hygienists is expected to grow by nearly 19% to 16,930 professionals in the field with a demand of over 19,640, leading to a shortage of more than 2,710 dental hygienists statewide.

Thanks to a grant awarded to the Del Mar College (DMC) Dental Hygiene Program, that workforce shortage is being addressed.

On Friday, May 29, DMC hosted the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) during a check presentation event recognizing Jobs & Education for Texans (JET) grant recipients to support career and technical education (CTE) training for South Texas high school students and occupational career training for college-level students. Among the two community colleges and four independent school districts (ISDs) that received oversized checks representing a combined $$1,819,053 were Del Mar College, Victoria College and Freer, Pettus, Sinton and Skidmore-Tynan ISDs (read Office of the Texas Governor release).

The Dental Hygiene Program, which is with the college’s  Dental & Imaging Technology Department, received a $306,834 JET grant check to provide training with optimal equipment.

The college also partners with three of the four ISDs that received the TWC’s grant, providing collaborative  training to their students in licensed practical and licensed vocational nursing (Freer and Skidmore-Tynan) and in electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians (Sinton).

The oversized check awards from the commission were signed and then presented to each school by TWC Chairman and Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. Additionally, some special guests attended the event, including Office of the Governor South Texas Director Juan Lopez; Community Outreach Director Cindie Gonzalez for Texas Legislative Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (Senate District 20); MK Walling, Northern District Director for Texas Legislative Senator Adam Hinojosa (Senate District 27); Texas Legislative Representative Todd Hunter (House District 32); TWC Chairman and Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza; and Albert Martinez, Northern District Director for U.S.  Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (House of Representatives, District 34). 
 

DMC’s Dental Hygiene Program has used the funds to purchase new equipment that provides majors with the most contemporary equipment and tools used in current workforce settings. Purchases included 12 each of the following:

• Ergonomic Dental Chairs – replaced outdated chairs originally purchased in 2006 to improve student performance and reduce risks associated with older high-maintenance equipment,
• Traditional Radius Delivery Systems – mounted to each dental chair to hold instruments required as part of dental hygiene treatment on patients,
• Assistant Instrumentation – mounted to each dental chair as set of controls for efficient patient care management, chair adjustments, instrument handling and more while ensuring safety during procedures,
• A-Dec Monitor Mount – computer mount at each chair for faculty/student monitoring procedures to prevent cross-contamination of biohazardous waste and accidents, and
• A-Dec 574L LED Dental Light, Central Cabin – overhead light that reduces maintenance costs and enhances patient and student experience,.

Additionally, the equipment vendor donated 12 Doctor’s Stools to the Clinical Laboratory used by the DMC Dental Programs, which also includes the Dental Assisting Program. To date, 43 students have been impacted by the purchase with successful use of the equipment as part of their training to become professionals in the dental field.

DMC Dental Hygiene students also directly serve the community through several initiatives, including:

• Mission of Mercy Presentations – second-year majors offer researched-based information to patients about the link between diabetes and oral health,
• School Outreach Programs – student-led interactive educational session and take-home hygiene kits for CCISD third and fourth graders, and
• Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation Collaboration – student-developed and led presentations connecting systemic and oral health as part of foundation’s support of Mission of Mercy patients.

As part of DMC Dental Hygiene majors’ required hands-on training, the program offers fall and spring semester Dental Hygiene clinics in the Windward Campus facility with FREE services covering sealants, fluoride applications, scaling and root planing, dental imaging and cleanings. These services equate annually to about $500,000 worth of dental hygiene work and prepare DMC students for employment that awaits them.

The program graduates 21 students annually. And according to Career Coach platform data for local dental hygienists, new processionals can start around $73,467 per year while the median salary at $91,456. Highly experienced dental hygienists can earn up to about $105,360 per year.

Del Mar College’s Dental & Imaging Technology Department offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene, along with a Level II Certificate and Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Assisting.

Known for its excellence, the college’s Dental Hygiene Program currently maintains a three-year average for the following:

• 86% Completion Rate
• 100% State Licensure Examination Pass Rate
• 90% National Board Examination Pass Rate

Details about the Dental Hygiene Program are available online at www.delmar.edu/degrees/dental-hygiene/index.html. Interested future dental hygienists can also contact the department at 36- 698-2858or dit@delmar.edu. 

 

Working in higher education can be rewarding no matter the position you fill. And at Del Mar College, “passion meets purposes” with employees serving students and the community as part of rewarding careers.

On Wednesday, June 3, individuals looking for work  can explore employment opportunities at Del Mar College during a DMC Human Resources Job Fair scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dress to impress and bring updated copies of your resume to the Retama Room (second floor) at the Harvin Student Center on the college’s Heritage Campus, located at 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404).

For directions and an online campus map, visit www.delmar.edu/becoming-a-viking/discover/tours/locations.html.
 

Ranging from college-level teaching positions to support staff jobs, DMC currently has nearly 380 employment opportunities available now and beginning with the fall 2026 semester. Individuals can explore job openings by visiting dmcjobs.delmar.edu/postings/search before attending or during the event.

Additionally, participants can:

• Meet with HR staff, recruiters and hiring managers to answer your questions,
• Receive personalized guidance on how to apply and stand out as a potential employee,
• Learn about benefits, growth opportunities and workplace culture, and
• Access on-site application assistance with computer availability.

Questions? Inquiries can be directed to the DMC Human Resources Office at 361-698-2178 or dmcjobs@delmar.edu. Individuals can also explore Del Mar College, its campus culture, program offerings and more at www.delmar.edu.

Del Mar College … where your career really starts!

If you have youth constantly asking, “What’s there to do?,” Del Mar College has the solution with a variety of summer youth camps and programming to keep them busy and your patience intact. Between the Music Department’s camps focused on fine tuning young area musicians’ talents and Continuing Education’s variety of age-appropriate camps designed to expand their minds through fun learning activities, there’s something to pique the interests of your youth between the ages of 6 and 18.

For more information about each scheduled DMC camp, click each link provided for camp description, cost, time and location and to register and pay online. Questions can be directed to the department/division offering this summer’s camps.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT CAMPS:
 

Del Mar College’s Music Department offers camps that provide young Coastal Bend musicians the opportunity to have fun while honing their talents. Campers gain experience with world-class educators on the college’s Heritage Campus while meeting new friends who share the same musical interests. Summer 2026 camps include:

• Viking Classical Guitar Summer Camp (Tuesday-Thursday, June 2-4):  Designed for young guitarists who can read music and are familiar with basic classical guitar techniques. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1486745
 

• Summer Orchestra Program (Thursday evenings June 4 -25): High school-aged string players ––including violin, viola, cello and bass––rehearsing and  playing with the DMC Chamber Orchestra as they prepare for their annual summer concert scheduled 7 p.m. on Friday, June 26.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1484126
 

• Viking Band Camp (Monday-Thursday, June 8-11, with June 4 registration/payment deadline): Daily music-making with DMC world-class faculty and area distinguished music educators with camp also including fun activities, such as Viking Moving Day, an ice cream social and dance as well as Band Olympics.
 Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1487325 
 

• All-State Choir Camp––Large Schools (Monday-Thursday, June 22-25 with June 7 registration /payment deadline): Designed to prepare choral students for the 2026-2027 Texas Music Educators Association’s auditions with full rehearsals and sectionals as part of an intense, fun-filled summer camp.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1487598
 

• All-State Choir Camp––Small Schools (Monday-Thursday, June 29-July 2 with June 7 registration/payment deadline): Designed to prepare choral students for the 2026-2027 Texas Music Educators Association’s auditions with full rehearsals and sectionals as part of an intense, fun-filled summer camp.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1501706 
 

Contact the DMC Music Office at 361-698-1211 or music@delmar.edu if you have further quartinos about this year’s camps.

CONTINUING EDUCATION SUMMER CAMPS:
 

Del Mar College Continuing Education offers a variety of summer camps––15 in all––that are separated into age-appropriate groups and designed for youth in first through twelfth grade. Each camp provides interactive learning experiences and exploration of potential hobbies or future career paths with activities that elevate campers’ skills while having fun and meeting new friends. Summer 2026 camps include:

• Theater Camp: Introduces young performers to the exciting world of acting, storytelling and stage performance. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1615636

• Grades 1-5: June 8-12 and June 22-26 (two separate camps)
• Grades 6-8: June 8-12 and July 13-17 (two separate camps)

• Electrical Boards Camp: Teaches foundational electronics with campers building working circuits, robots and interactive devices. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633802

• Grades 9-12: June 15-18
• Grades 6-8: June 29 – July 2
• Grades 1-2:  July 13-16
• Grades 3-5: July 20-23

• Adventures in Carpentry: Provides hands-on training in woodworking, tool safety and building techniques and designed for all learners. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1615760

• Grades 9-12: June 15-18
• Grades 6-8: June 29 – July 2
• Grades 1-2: July 13-16
• Grades 3-5: July 20-23

• Code Breakers Camp: Learn to build websites, create app and develop games using coding associated with different platforms. 
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633650

• Grades 1-2: June 15-18
• Grades 3-5: June 29-July 2

• Creative Writing Camp: Exploration of storytelling, poetry and personal expression using a variety of writing styles while drawing from young writers’ imagination and giving them voices.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633630

• Grades 6-8: July 6-10 from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. (two separate cams)

• Mad Scientist Camp: Hands-on mixing, building, experimenting and exploring that sparks curiosity and excitement about science.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633576 

• Grades 1-5: June 8-12, June 22-26 and July 20-24 (three separate camps)

• Once Upon a Camp: Imagination and adventure … activities bring stories to life through creativity, play and exploration.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1631586

• Grades 1-5: June 8-12 and June 22-26 (two separate camps)

• Industry Hot Jobs Camp: High school career exploration camp covering needed knowledge, soft and hard skills and necessary training for a variety of high-demand jobs in the Coastal bend’s industry sectors.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633746

• Grades 9-12:  July 20-24

• Cultured World Experiences Camp: Introduction among young learners to global cultures through immersive, hands-on experiences in art, music, dance, cuisine and storytelling as campers become “world travelers” without leaving home.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633570

• Grades 1-5: June 22-26 and July 13-17 (two separate camps)

• Junior Chef Camp: Introduction of essential kitchen skills, safety and cooking techniques with hands-on preparation of savory dishes in a professional culinary environment.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1615597

• Grades 3-5: July 6-10

• NextGen Chefs Camp:  Culinary experience for high school-aged campers in a commercial kitchen setting focused on foundational skills including safety, food preparation and much more.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1609929

• Grades 9-12: June 8-12, June 22-26, July 6-10 and July 20-24 (four separate camps)

• Roblox Makers Camp:  Teaches campers how to build, design and animate 3D worlds using Roblox Studio.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633712

• Grades 6-8: June 16-18 and June 29-July 2 (two camps)

• Career Exploration Camp:  Exploratory introduction for elementary students to the career possibilities they can pursue through role-playing activities and simple challenges that demonstrate what workers do in their jobs.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633742

• Grades 1-5: July 6-10

• STEM Careers Camp: Introduces youth to exciting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with hands-on interactive projects, experiments and team challenges.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633702

• Grades 1-5: July 13-17 (8 a.m. camp)
• Grades 5-8: July 13-17 (1 p.m. camp)

• Healthcare Career Exploration Camp:  Introduction of various health professions through hands-on skills activities, such as CPR, anatomy lessons and speaker panels with allied health professionals.
Details: events.delmar.edu/event/delmar.events.1633478

• Grades 6-12: June 8-12

Contact DMC Continuing Education at 361-698-2222 or fdavis8@delmar.edu if you have further questions about this year’s camps.

For the first time in Del Mar College (DMC) Continuing Education’s history, a collective pinning ceremony was held at the Hilliard Center to bring together 639 Dual Enrollment Health Care students from 13 Coastal Bend high schools on May 14. College officials with the Division of Continuing Education have attended separate pining ceremonies at each participating high school across the region in previous years; however, this year DMC opted to present its first regionwide Continuing Education Health Care Pinning in the center’s arena.

DMC Continuing Education offers four Dual Enrollment health care training programs, including Electrocardiography Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Patient Care Technician and Introductory to Basic Medical Assistant. To date, DMC has formed Dual Enrollment partnerships with 35 high schools in the Coastal Bend. Thursday’s ceremony was limited to 13 schools, so the remaining schools – 63 percent – will host on-site pinning ceremonies as in previous years.

For these bright and ambitious go-getters, they celebrated the special feeling of completing the requirements for their certification. In health care, a pinning ceremony signifies a significant transition from academic theory to practical application, and it represents students completing rigorous academic and clinical training, which validates these students’ proficiency in applying critical thinking skills as well as practical skills acquired through hands-on experience.

Students receive a pin for each certification that they earn, which positions them for successful pursuits in more advanced DMC programs, such as Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapist Assistant and Respiratory Therapy, among others offered by the college’s Allied Health Department, and Licensed Vocational Nurse and Registered Nurse Programs overseen by the Nurse Education Department.

The largest subset of the certification completers was from the Corpus Christi Independent School District with 514 participants from seven schools, including:

• Moody High School: 112
• Carroll High School: 107
• Veterans Memorial High School: 102
• Ray High School: 69
• King High School: 60
• Harold T. Branch Academy: 37
• Miller High School: 27

Additionally, other schools near or in Corpus Christi included Calallen High School with 76 participants, the School of Science & Technology with 21, St. John Paul Academy with 10 and Solomon Coles High School with 4. Outlying participating schools with students who received pins included Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School with 10 participants and Austwell-Tivoli High School with 4.

Rachel Benavides, DMC Dean of Continuing & Community Education, says that the college’s Continuing Education pinning ceremonies for high school healthcare students celebrate their hard work, perseverance and dedication to earn their certification.

“Over the years, our pinning event has grown significantly, leading us to transition from multiple individual celebrations to one unified ceremony that honors all schools together,” she notes. “This shared celebration brings our communities together while recognizing and highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of each and every student in our healthcare programs.”

When you look at Josiah Ponce’s accomplishments, you might not think a high school student would have a resume. However, he does with his educational experience currently being both a Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) Collegiate High School and Del Mar College (DMC) student.

Pursuing both high school and college at the same time takes being a “motivated” and “passionate” individual. Both these characteristics are listed on Ponce’s resume; and this coming weekend, he’ll receive first his Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts from DMC and then his high school diploma from CCISD.

This Friday, May 15, Ponce will “walk the stage” in the Hilliard Center arena with 923 other DMC “prospective” graduates as part of the college’s Spring Commencement. Overall, the Class of Spring 2026 includes nearly 1,250 “prospective” graduates with DMC awarding a total of 1,608 occupational skills awards, certificates, associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees combined. Among those planning to participate during the ceremony are over 75 Freedom to Dream students from the first cohort (2025-2026).

The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with participating “prospective” graduates providing family and friends with tickets for limited seating. For anyone unable to attend, the college will livestream the event with access on YouTube beginning 30 minutes prior (6:30 p.m.) to the ceremony using the following link: youtube.com/live/z-oFuDGaE1M?feature=share.

Before Ponce takes his next steps toward studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi as an Elementary Education major, he’ll first add another bullet to his resume as Del Mar College’s Spring 2026 Commencement keynote speaker and address other Dual Credit graduation ceremony participants as well as traditional age and adult learners alike. DMC is graduating about 330 Dual Credit students overall who are earning certificates or associate’s degrees and from partnering Coastal Bend high schools.

Ponce says that his message will focus on the potential of the Class of Spring 2026’s future while also celebrating the people who have supported them along the way. “It’s important to recognize the different paths each of us has taken to reach this milestone and the resilience it took to get here,” he notes.

Ponce’s most notable achievement has been involvement with the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE), serving as President (now a Past President) and in other leadership roles that earned him national recognition for his public speaking, conference presentations and peer mentoring, among other attributes. As a student leader, he has demonstrated his ability to inspire peer council members and other students to reach their potential.

When not in class, Ponce works as a sales associate at the Texas State Aquarium in the gift shop. He also has worked as a student intern for CCISD’s Director of Professional Learning, helping with

professional development initiatives for educators from across multiple district campuses and gaining hands-on experience in program management inclusive of tracking processes, evaluation and improvement efforts that drive successful outcomes.

In 2024 under the guidance and mentorship of a supervisory teacher, Ponce volunteered at the Texas State Aquarium to deliver structured one-on-one and group reading lessons to students attending Metro Elementary School of Design. He also assisted with classroom management to ensure students experienced a supportive, structured and focused learning environment leading to better literacy and confidence.

Ponce will receive his high school diploma on Saturday, May 16, during a ceremony scheduled at Veterans Memorial High School.

His goal is to someday become a Superintendent of Schools and says that his passion for education began at a young age.

“I would go home from kindergarten and ‘play teacher’ with a pretend classroom,” he says. “When I came to Collegiate, I had the opportunity to pursue the teaching pathway, which further strengthened my interest in education. I aspire to become a superintendent because I see myself as a leader who wants to create meaningful change while supporting both students and educators on a broader scale.”

Given his current path as a Dual Credit student at Collegiate High School, college student at DMC and soon-to-be graduate from both, he’s well on his way.

Tuesday, May 12, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in the Tres Grace Community Room (second floor) in the Culinary Arts Building on the Oso Creek Campus. The street address is 7002 Yorktown Blvd. (78414). Get online directions and campus map. 

The regular meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 12:55 p.m.

A copy of the Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available online using the following link:
www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regular-board-meeting-packet-5-12-26.pdf.

Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the College’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.

The numbers tell the story. Data from the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies indicates that by 2036 the state will have a deficit of nearly 56,400 registered nurses. Projections show that nearly 360,500 RNs will be needed but only about 304,100 will be available.

A new initiative called Viking Voyage to Nursing between Del Mar College and London Independent School District will help address the Coastal Bend’s shortage.

During London ISD’s State of the District today, April 30, both LISD and DMC leadership announced the first-of-its-kind regional initiative for London dual credit high school students to pursue a direct pathway into DMC’s highly competitive Registered Nurse Program after graduation. The initiative begins with the London ISD’s freshman class this fall semester.

During their freshman year, students’ first steps are to apply to Del Mar College and its dual credit program and take the TSI (Texas Success Initiative ) test for placement. They should also review the college’s Registered Nurse Program admissions requirements (www.delmar.edu/rn) before pursuing the  Viking Voyage to Nursing pathway and the rigorous pre-requisite college-level coursework needed for acceptance into the program.

Along with any core college coursework they may take, including recommended speech and philosophy classes, students must complete General Psychology, Anatomy & Physiology I and II and English Composition before applying to the program. Additionally, students must take the nurse education entrance test, called the Assessment Technologies Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) test, before formally applying to DMC’s Registered Nurse Program.

Participants will complete the Registered Nurse Program’s competitive application process by Jan. 31 of their senior year; and if they have met all eligibility requirements, seniors will receive notification of acceptance and can then enter the program either in the summer or fall after high school graduation. Their first courses as RN majors will include Introduction to Health Care Concepts and Professional Nursing Concepts.

A flowchart of students’ pathway into the Registered Nurse Program is provided/attached.

Overall,  Viking Voyage to Nursing participants will complete 14 semester credit hours in pre-requisites before officially entering the college’s program.

Del Mar College’s Registered Nurse Program is a two-year program with an optional exit point after three semesters if students choose to first practice as a licensed vocational nurse. After graduating from either the LVN or RN Program, students must then pass the NCLEX - PN to work as a licensed vocational nurse or NCLEX - RN to enter the workforce as a registered nurse.

The college also offers another option. RN graduates can take their associate’s degrees further and pursue DMC’s first bachelor’s degree, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing or RN to BSN degree, which the Nurse Education Department first launched in fall 2021.

Dr. Sramek added, “This partnership with London ISD creates a powerful, structured pathway that benefits students while directly strengthening the Coastal Bend’s health care workforce. By giving students, a clear, supported route from high school to a nursing degree, we are investing in local talent, supporting our health care industry and building a sustainable pipeline of nurses who are ready to serve our community.”

Denim Day, observed each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of challenging harmful myths surrounding sexual violence. The movement began after an Italian Supreme Court ruling overturned a rape conviction based on the survivor’s clothing, sparking a global campaign to combat victim-blaming. Today, wearing denim symbolizes support for survivors and a commitment to advocacy.

Del Mar College held its annual Denim Day event on April 29 in the outdoor breezeway between the White Library and the Music Building B on the Heritage Campus. The observance brought students, faculty and staff together in support of survivors who have experienced sexual violence while raising awareness and promoting access to resources.

Shakira Barnes, Counselor II with the Counseling Center at DMC, says attendees saw decorated jeans displayed with messages of encouragement while blank jeans and art supplies will be available for participants to create their own messages supporting survivors. The space also featured posters, photo opportunities with large DMC letters, and a visit from the college mascot, Valdar. Students and community members were encouraged to wear denim with purpose as part of the observance.

“Denim Day is important to the Del Mar College community because it breaks the stigma around sexual violence, challenges victim-blaming myths and shows solidarity with survivors,” Barnes said. “It reminds students they are not alone and connects them with meaningful support.”

Barnes says local data underscores the importance of continued awareness efforts. According to recent Corpus Christi Police Department statistics featured in a KRIS TV 6 News report, there were 165 reported sexual assaults in 2024, following 176 in 2023 and 175 in 2022. Over the past five years, more than 1,200 rape offenses have been recorded in the area with a significantly smaller number of cases resulting in clearance. These figures highlight the ongoing need for education, prevention and survivor support services within the community.

Several campus and community organizations set up information tables as part of the college’s Denim Day observance. The Purple Door domestic violence shelter provided information about its services and resources, and the American Association of University Women student organization distributed water, coloring pages, crayons and ribbons to encourage participation and support.

Also, the college’s Counseling Center offered information about free and confidential services available to students, faculty and staff, which includes counseling sessions, consultations and referrals to local support networks. The DMC Title IX Office provides reporting options for those experiencing discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct.

Denim Day at Del Mar College relaunched in 2017 as an opportunity to connect the global movement for sexual assault awareness with our local campus community, according to Barnes. What began as a small initiative among faculty and staff soon expanded into a full campus-wide event the next year.

They haven’t packed their bags, yet, for the adventure that awaits them in France. The trip is  just a little more than a month away.

Currently enrolled as Del Mar College (DMC) Baking/Pastry majors with the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Department, Mazzy Tagliaferro and Tina Walsh were selected to represent Corpus Christi this summer through the Sister City Culinary Exchange that’s overseen by the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce.

The two students will experience an immersive exchange in the city of Agen and throughout the surrounding area that builds on their current culinary skills.

“Experiences like this broaden perspectives, build confidence and bring back knowledge that benefits our local economy and community,” Arreola adds.

Corpus Christi’s Sister City Exchange Program also partners with four other cities––Keelung City (Taiwan), Toledo (Spain), Veracruz (Mexico) and Yokosuka (Japan)–– giving both high school and college participants the opportunity to see another part of the world. Guided by Sister Cities International, the program focuses on four pillars: Arts & Culture, Business & Trade, Community Development and Youth & Education.

The nearly two-week exchange with a June 1arrival to and June 12 departure from Toulouse will immerse the two DMC students in the gastronomy, culinary traditions and agricultural heritage of the Lot-et-Garonne region of southwest France where Agen is located.. The exchange combines hands-on kitchen training with leading chefs, visits to local producers, educational presentations and cultural experiences organized by the Agen Sister City Committee.

Tagliaferro is no stranger to the culinary world, having grown up around food with her father owning since 1987 the popular restaurant Island Italian located on Padre Island. And she has already earned associate’s degrees through the college’s Hospitality & Tourism Management and Culinary Arts Programs.

Of her upcoming culinary exchange experience in Agen, she says, “It’s exciting. I’ve never left the country, and I never thought about going to France. We’re going to get to do a lot like working in actual French restaurants, visiting a cheese farm, attending agricultural-type classes and giving demos [featuring American food for both high school and elementary students],”

In fact, highlights of Tagliaferro and Walsh’s experience will include:

• professional kitchen rotations at Restaurant Le Bistronome inAgen and Auberge LePrieuré in Moirax,
• visits to regional producers including vineyards, cheese makers, oyster farms and prune producers,
• cultural and historical visits in Agen, Bordeau, and the surrounding countryside,
• giving culinary demonstrations in local schools, and
• exchanges with members of the Agen Twinning Committee.

Walsh , who plans to pursue her associate’s degree in Culinary Arts next, currently serves as the Culinary Arts Club  secretary. She says that the community-minded student organization engages in activities such as fundraisers, food drives and other events such as KEDT’s annual fundraising events, the  Food and Wine Classic and Classic Brew, with students serving culinary samples that club members have prepared..

She first had reservations about applying for the Sister City Culinary Exchange Program but then told herself, “No, I’m going to go for it!”

Walsh notes that the process included submitting the online application, providing a video showing the preparation of a recipe, holding the required grade point average and then sitting through an in—person interview with the selection committee.

Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Department Interim Chair Lisa Pollakis notes, “Del Mar College’s partnership with the Sister City Culinary Exchange Program celebrates more than food.––it celebrates cultural connection, an opportunity to learn global techniques and traditions and the power of hospitality to bring communities together across borders.”

Pollakis adds, “The program shows current and future students what’s possible in our Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry, and Hospitality & Tourism Programs and elevates the educational experience while creating momentum and greater student interest and enrollment.”

Del Mar College’s Culinary Arts and Baking/Pastry Programs are accredited as “Exemplary” by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission. The Culinary & Hospitality Department offers:

• Baking/Pastry: Associate of Arts degree
• Culinary Arts (Chef Training): Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree
• Hospitality & Tourism Management: Certificate and Associate in Applied Science degree

Interested individuals can also reach the main departmental office at 361-698-1856.

For those who have visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the emotional intensity of the moment is simply unforgettable. The scene often consists of visitors rubbing an etched name onto paper, hands touching the letters of a loved one’s name or the sound of quiet sobs as visitors work through raw emotions brought to the surface by such a visceral experience. 

Many Americans simply cannot make that journey, whether past or present, so to share the healing influence of the memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund commissioned in 1996 the creation of a three-quarter scale replica named The Wall That Heals, which is designed to travel to communities all over the country.
 

The traveling exhibit honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, bearing the names of the 58,281 men and women who were killed in action or went missing in Vietnam The exhibit includes The Wall replica and a mobile Education Center.  

But to reach its different destinations each year, organizers need assistance to transport the exhibit from one community to another, including this year’s 31 community tour with two in Texas––Del Rio (April 16-19) and Ranger (April 23-26).

For a second year in a row, Del Mar College’s Transportation Training Servicers program took to the road, again, to transport the exhibit to Ranger on April 20. While steady rain affected plans to provide a send-off from the full campus community, a small group of DMC were on hand to send off the driving team. DMC Instructors and State Examiners Alvin Amador and Ralph Guerra left campus in a college rig with trailer in-tow for the roughly 385-mile trip to the small Eastland County community of about 2,300 residents, where they were greeted and participated in a parade on April 21. The exhibit opened to the public in Ranger on April 23.

Last year, Transportation Training Services faculty transported The Wall That Heals to Laredo after its visit in Corpus Christi at Veterans Memorial High School March 27-30. 

Tim Tetz, Director of Outreach for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, said that since the dedication of the replica in 1996, the traveling exhibit has visited more than 800 communities in 49 states and three countries. Accordingly, the organization relies heavily on a network of colleges and trucking schools to transport the exhibit from point to point – many of which are repeat volunteer teams who offer their services free of charge.

Following The Wall That Heals time in Ranger, the exhibit will visit communities in Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, Montana and Connecticut, to name a few. See the full schedule at www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals/2026-The-Wall-That-Heals-Tour-Schedule/. 

Additional information about The Wall That Heals is also online at www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals/. 

Fifty years ago, the Del Mar College (DMC) Stone Writing Center (SWC) first started as a one-room English Learning Lab in the English Building on what was known as the East Campus. Several moves over the past five decades included occupying a former girl’s dormitory repurposed for academic needs, taking over the fourth floor of White Library due to demolition work to make room for a new four-building complex as part of a capital improvement project, relocating from White Library for renovations that brought the facility into the 21st century and then moving back to its home on the library’s second floor.

The name also changed a few times, but the purpose, mission and dream of the late Dr. Virgina Stone has held steady––to serve students to become better and more confident writers, a communication skill needed for their academic work but also required by many employers.

On April 15 that included a musical kick-off by Mariachi Del Mar, SWC staff, the college community and any former students who used the facility recognized the Stone Writer Center’s impact on student success and marked its Golden Anniversary with a come-and-go celebration as the beginning of the next 50 years. The center is located on the second floor of White Library on the Heritage Campus.

Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jonda Halcomb added to those sentiments, “The Stone Writing Center has proven to be an invaluable service to our students, and over the past five decades has seen has seen many changes, including locations, faculty and staff and technological advancements, but the center has never wavered from their original mission.”

The Stone Writing Center has served multitudes of students since 1976, and recent available data from SWC staff shows that nearly 98,000 online and on-campus 30-minute tutorial sessions were provided between fall 2015 and fall 2025.

One student’s anonymous response to the SWC’s 2023 Student Satisfaction Survey says it all. They submitted, “The Stone Writing Center is my home away from home, and I always recommend the tutor lab to fellow students. The degree of assistance I get there plays a critical role in my academic development.”

Offering a range of assistance with compositions and essays, punctuation and grammar, literary elements, course-specific writing and forms of writing style, along with other resources–resume writing, application essays and peer reviews, the SWC serves students on all three DMC campuses and utilizes the latest technology that coincides with today’s communication skills needed for success. (Oct. 9, 2025 “Innovation Using Technology” Blog).

In fact, the SWC is known for its innovation, including:

• piloting online instruction for one-hour writing labs in 1995 before the DMC was online,
• SWC faculty teaching one-hour writing labs using dial-up from their homes,
• implementing in fall 2025 SWC Online, an online tutoring program housed in Canvas, and
• already having a robust online tutorial program with well-trained tutors ready to offer continuous assistance when the world shut down and DMC went virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The concept of assisting students with their literacy and writing skills at DMC began with Dr. Stone, who between 1948 and 1985 served as an English Professor, English Department Chair, Dean and Special Assistant to the President. She is credited along with her colleague––the late Dr. Aileen Creighton––with beginning in the 1960s one of the first curricula in the nation for remedial English classes, an initiative unheard of at that time.

Additionally, DMC was the first U.S. college to establish an English Learning Center in the Southwest, making the Stone Writing Center one of the oldest in country.

Chronological Stone Writing Center History (provided by SEC staff as factsheet):

The 70s
In 1976, the concept of a writing center began in one room of the English Building. This resource soon expanded to include a second room, more staff, and text and audio-visual materials, formally becoming The English Learning Center (ELC). This center fulfilled the late Dr. Virginia Stone’s dream that Del Mar College provide a place and the staff for students to get one-on-one instruction, supplemental to the classroom, in English skills. For the remainder of the 1970s, development of self-paced, diagnostic, and tutorial instruction was initiated in the ELC.

The 80s
Throughout the 1980s, the ELC’s reputation as an innovative educational facility continued. Because of increased demand for services, the ELC moved into the English Annex building, which was renamed the English Learning Center. It then housed the Stone English Learning Lab. Emphasis was on hiring professional tutors, purchasing computers—TRS80s—for computer-assisted instruction, and expanding the focus to include all aspects of the writing process.

The 90s
The 1990s were characterized by a focus on technology and diversification of services. The ELC began teaching newly-required One-Hour Labs for English courses. This resulted in upgrading of computers and infusion of internet technology in the lab curriculum. Alternative delivery methods, such as virtual labs and a comprehensive website, were also created. The ELC also began serving as a distance learning testing center for the College and offering tutoring services to all academic disciplines, not just English. These changes ultimately instigated a shift in name from the ELC to the Stone Writing Center (SWC) to better reflect its broader services.

The 00s
In the 2000s, SWC continued to build upon the milestones from its past, while paving the way for future innovations. What began primarily as a pencil-and-paper, grammar-based, drill-and-practice, self-paced resource has evolved over a quarter of a century into a more technological, professional, and instructional center.

The 10s
The 2010s ushered in a period of exciting changes. In 2012, the SWC moved to the 4th floor of the White Library due to the expansion of the Music building. The One-Hour English Labs were discontinued in 2014, and the SWC became a stand-alone area. The online writing tutoring program was expanded and housed in Canvas.

The 20s
In 2020, the SWC easily pivoted to operating completely online due to the pandemic. Tutoring was available 24/7 via Canvas in SWC Online. Workshops were conducted via Teams, and online resources were shared with students and faculty via email. Student questions were answered via a new service called Ask a Writing Tutor, which allowed students to call and speak with a SWC writing tutor during posted hours. Once the College reopened the campuses, the SWC offered on-campus tutoring on all three campuses (Heritage, Oso Creek, and Windward) in addition to its online tutoring program.

 In 2025, the SWC moved to the 2nd floor of the newly-renovated White Library on the Heritage Campus. SWC’s redesigned website, with expanded research and writing resources, was also launched in 2025.

Currently, the SWC provides one-on-one and small group writing instruction to help students from all disciplines develop and strengthen their writing skills. Students can meet with a tutor on campus, or they can submit their work to the Stone Writing Center Online in Canvas. SWC offers spaces, devices, and other study areas for students to use individually or in groups. Much has changed in the 50 years the Stone Writing Center has been open. Yet, it has never lost sight of its original mission...to help students become better writers and lifelong learners.

###

They came from all over Texas to compete – from Wylie to Weslaco. In April, for the past few years now, high school and some college students across the state have converged in Corpus Christi to compete during the SkillsUSA Texas State Leadership & Skills Conference. This year, Del Mar College was one of many contest sites throughout the city facilitating contests with competitors at the Windward Campus April 9-10, as they competed for top spots at the national competition in June in Atlanta, Ga.

After a rigorous display of technical prowess during SkillsUSA Texas District Level Leadership & Skills Conferences earlier this spring, top-performing students were set to elevate their game at the state level. DMC hosted district-level competitions in February and hosted over 600 contenders last week.

Overall, organizers say that over 6,500 students from approximately 200 high schools, along with some college students, competed in over 150 state-level hands-on skills and leadership contests scheduled around the city. The ninth through twelfth graders and college students represented Texas’ regions from Laredo to the Panhandle, and those who competed on the Windward Campus engaged with DMC programs ranging from EMS and health sciences to robotics, architecture and welding––all high demand jobs the Coastal Bend region and across the state.

Two featured contests that were held on April 10––EMS and firefighting––focused on student competence by demonstrating rapid trauma assessment and life-saving treatment like hemorrhage control or airway management while communicating effectively under pressure. Students also will be judged on their speed and accuracy while donning full “turnout” gear as they handle fire hoses, tie specialized knots and climb ladders. DMC Windward Campus features specialized training towers and fire grounds where students can demonstrate these skills in a controlled, professional setting in addition to facilities that provide realistic simulation labs where students work with advanced medical manikins and real ambulance equipment.

Dara Betz, DMC Corporate Services Director of Workforce Programs, says that Del Mar College has hosted district- and state-level competitions for more than a decade and notes the competition gives students from across Texas a first-hand look at the college’s degree programs and state-of-the-art labs while also creating a direct networking link between students and DMC faculty and potential future employers among industry partners serving as judges during the competitions.

“The SkillsUSA Texas competition equips students with essential skills and leadership qualities for successful careers,” Betz says. “With the expertise among Del Mar’s faculty and strong connections to regional industry leaders, both high school and college competitors receive rigorous, high-quality assessments that prepare them for Texas' workforce and the high-demand job skills needed now and in the future.”

The competition closed with an awards ceremony April 11 at Hillard Center Arena.

SkillsUSA is a national career and technical student organization that serves more than 395,000 high school, college and middle school students and professional members enrolled in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. Given its immense size, the state of Texas is broken up into three SkillsUSA Texas regions that encompass 13 districts.

It’s a celebration of creative expression and Mother Earth! On Tuesday, April 21, the Del Mar College Communications, Languages and Reading Department’s Languages Program, the Center for Mexican American Studies and the DMC Libraries will host “Nature’s Voices: Poetry and Planet” for a morning of exploration of both Spanish and English poetry and the environment as part of National Poetry Month and Earth Day 2026.

During the FREE three-hour celebration, participants can discover the beauty of the Spanish language, poetry and the natural environment during readings, panel presentations and an interactive poetry translation workshop. Activities include student-led discussions connecting Earth Day (April 22), language and community action to make our planet a better place to live.

Additionally, local artist Kaleigh Glover Ardoin, whose paintings reflect her fascination with the creatures and colors found in nature, will display some of her work during “Nature’s Voices.” You can learn more about the Bay City, Texas native who now lives in Corpus Christi by visiting her website at www.kaleighglover.com/.

“Poets, translators, students and local environmental groups are coming together to inspire and connect through language, art and performance,” says DMC Professor of Spanish Javier Morin, who is moderating the event program. “’Nature’s Voices” is a way to experience the beauty of expression and our connection to the Earth, and the event celebrates the creativity and voices of our community.”

“Nature’s Voices: Poetry and Planet” runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 218 of White Library on the Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404). Get online directions and campus map. Questions can be directed to Morin at jmorin@delmar.edu or 361-698-1582.

Programming for the event is as follows:

• 9:30-9:40 a.m. - Welcome
• 9:40-10:05 a.m. - Featured poetry and translation
• 10:05-10:20 a.m. - Student poetry
• 10:20-10:45 a.m. - Panel 1: Poetry & Nature
• 10:45-11 a.m. - Refreshment break
• 11-11:30 a.m. - Panel II: Earth Day & Community
• 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. - Translation Workshop
• 12:15-13:20 p.m. - Closing remarks

So, whether you appreciate poetry and art or feel the forces of Mother Earth, “Nature’s Voices: Poetry and Planet” promises a morning of connection and celebration of both.

Be sure to warm up those vocal cords in the shower before joining in during Del Mar Drama’s Spring production, “Return to the Forbidden Planet,” starting mid-April! The high-energy musical plays over the course of two weekends, including Friday and Saturday, April 10-11, and Thursday through Saturday, April 16-18. 

Blending Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” with campy Sci-fi movies from the 1950s, along with plenty of classics from the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll, ‘Forbidden Planet’ is sure to provide loads of fun as you blast off on a routine flight and crash into the planet D’Illyria, where the adventure unfolds to a soundtrack of nostalgic AM gold, such as “Great Balls of Fire,” “Good Vibrations,” “Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “Teenager in Love”  and even that good ole’ Halloween chestnut “Monster Mash.” 

Each performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Bartlett Theatre located in the Fine Arts Center on the Heritage Campus (101 Baldwin Blvd., 78404). Get online directions and campus map. Tickets range from $5 to $15 and are available online at delmardrama.ludus.com/ or at the Drama Box Office beginning at 6:30 p.m. before each night. 

The April 16 performance is “Student Night – students can get one free ticket when presenting a valid current high school/DMC/Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi ID at the box office. In addition, there will be post-show receptions on April 10, 11 and 16.

“Return to the Forbidden Planet” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. Patrons are advised the production may contain mature content that may not be suitable for younger audience members. 

Questions? Contact the DMC Art & Drama Department Office at 361-698-1216 or email drama@delmar.edu. 

Loosely riffing on The Tempest, the musical follows a dashing space captain, a brainy scientist, his sheltered daughter and a robot with more personality than half the crew. They’re zipping through the galaxy when—surprise!—they end up stranded on a mysterious planet where strange forces, questionable decisions and unresolved emotional baggage start wreaking havoc. Add in a jukebox of classic rock ‘n’ roll hits, and suddenly existential dread comes with a dance number.

Things escalate quickly: jealous monsters, love triangles with all the subtlety of a white-hot guitar solo and a lot of dramatic staring into space with the scientist’s inner demons literally taking center stage, proving that therapy might’ve been cheaper than interstellar research. Meanwhile, the plucky robot steals scenes, hearts and probably some spare pa
 

He adds, “The cast and crew is looking forward to staging a musical that may not be familiar to local audiences, and singing along with the cast is encouraged.”

Casting for the planet’s inhabitants includes Brennen Bellows as the sinister scientist Dr. Prospero, Finley Hobar as his delightful daughter Miranda and Kallyn Garcia as the faithful robot Ariel. For those crashing on the forbidden planet, the crew is played  by Grant Sykora as Captain Tempest,  Natalie Palacios as the Science Officer, Paul Farias as Cookie,  Rett Hobart as the Navigational Officer and Ricky Syrre as Bosun, along with the Ship’s Crew/Puppeteers played by James Buck, Keanu Domini, Arayanna Flore and Spencer Lopez. 

In addition to the production’s actors, other students are providing technical support from the set construction/lighting class (DRAM1120) and the costume and makeup practicum class (DRAM 1121).

“To help bring the production to life, about 15 students collectively provide the technical support, along with part-time student shop assistants,” Yowell says.

Whether you fancy classic rock n’ roll, 1950s B-flick Sci-fi or the chance to sing along with the cast, Del Mar Drama’s production of “Return to the Forgotten Planet” may prove to take you far beyond you ever thought you could go … and all in one fun-filled evening!

Tuesday, April 7, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in The Tres Grace Community Room (second floor) in the Culinary Arts Building on the Oso Creek Campus at 7002 Yorktown Blvd. (78414).  Get online directions and facility map. 

The regular meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 12:55 p.m.

A copy of the Agenda Notice is available online as follows: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/supplemental-notice-of-meeting-ua-4-7-2026.pdf.

Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the College’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.

We may be late to the party, but when it comes to March Madness, Del Mar College (DMC) decided to get in on the fun with a brand-new hardwood matchup of its own! The college held its inaugural March Madness Showdown on March 27 in the Gymnasium on the Heritage Campus. The game was free and open to the public.

The Helm Holders were helmed by the fearless pairing of Associate Professor of Kinesiology Dr. Kristi Urbick and Associate Professor of Speech Dr. Dale Anderson, while the relentless Valdar’s Warriors were led by master tacticians Dr. Kelly Vinson, Assistant Professor of Sociology, and History Professor Dr. Erinn McComb. 

Each team featured at least 15 players ready to leave everything on the hardwood, backed by 25 to 30 volunteers who served as part of the water crew, on the cheer squad or contribute as sign makers, way finders and commentators. 

There was plenty of staff talent on the Warriors team: Kayla Lopez, DMC Associate Director of Financial Aid, Hameen Reynolds, Digital Content & Social Media Specialist, and Alex Puente, IT Executive Director of Infrastructure and Tech Support, to name a few. Add to that list a few notable faculty players like Dr. Misty Parker, DMC Assistant Professor of Political Science, and even a VP – Dr. Sydney Saumby, DMC Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Academics, and you’ve got a pretty solid squad.

Not to be outdone, The Holders boasted plenty of faculty talent in Dr. Steve Gulding, DMC Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Paul Gottemoller, DMC Professor of Political Science, and Paula Kenney-Wallace, DMC Assistant Professor of Math. They got help from staff team members Blas Ibanez, Tutor Support Services Coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Armentrout, College Veterans Center Director, and Valton Stinson, DMC TRIO Director, to name a few. 

“Our group includes beginners, recreational basketball players, former high‑school and college athletes and everything in-between,” says Dr. Urbick, referring to the Helm Holders. “As the coach, my job is to put everyone in positions where they can be successful but most importantly have fun.”

For her part, Dr. Vinson was cagey when sharing details about Valdar’s Warriors prior to the game. 

“A good coach never reveals their game plan,” she says. “The Warriors are always ready to play, and we have a team of 15-star Vikings who are all ready to dominate.” 

The Showdown began with a spirited Free Three contest – despite some heavy competition, winner Andres Garcia with the Math Learning Center sank eight shots in 30 seconds and walked away with a $100 H-E-B gift card provided by an anonymous donor. Following the Free Throw contest, the game began in earnest with each team looking to gel quickly and “make it rain” to assert dominance on the court. From the get-go, the Helm Holders proved to be the more effective team and managed to pile up the points despite the best defensive efforts of Valdar’s Warriors.

Going into halftime, it appeared that the Holders would run away with the game in the second half. But Vinson and her Warriors had other plans as they rallied fast and furiously in a bid to catch up to the Holders. It was a valiant effort – but alas, when clock read 0:00, the final score was 32-20, a clear sign that the Holders were determined to hold its lead all the way to the very end. Holders standout Gabriel Franco of the Math Learning Center was named MVP for his impressive performance during the game.     

Of the college’s first March Madness Showdown, Dean of Student Engagement and Retention Rita Hernandez says, “We’re excited to continue cultivating Viking Spirit, camaraderie and teamwork that faculty and staff demonstrate in their roles every day. This event is a fun way to showcase that same energy and connection outside of the workplace while bringing the campus community together.”

As the spring semester moves into high gear, the thoughts of high school upperclassmen are undoubtedly focused on what comes next. For the undecided, Del Mar College has them covered with an information awareness initiative called “Discover Del Mar” that’s offered each fall and spring semester so that South Texas high schoolers can explore their options. 

This semester, nearly 850 high school juniors and seniors from 27 South Texas public, private and charter schools visited the college’s Windward Campus on March 26. Among students attending, DMC officials visited with 39 students from Banquete High School, 25 students from Odem High School, 56 students from Hebbronville High School, and 24 students from Por Vida Academy in Corpus Christi, just to name a few.

Veronica Barbosa, Student Enrollment Specialist with the Student Enrollment Center, says 12 DMC departments provided breakout sessions for the visiting students.
 

She added that the DMC team sent school counselors a short video on what to expect when the students arrive on campus.

“Discover Del Mar creates a meaningful bridge between high schools and higher education, giving students direct access to college resources and opportunities while helping Del Mar College build connections, showcase its programs and inspire future enrollment through real, on-campus experiences,” Barbosa said.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company—the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance—has awarded a $100,000 grant to Del Mar College (DMC) to support workplace safety training. The funding will strengthen safety programs offered through DMC’s Continuing Education and Workforce Programs & Corporate Services Departments, providing valuable training for area employers and their employees, along with the broader community.

2026 marks the 13th consecutive year that Texas Mutual has awarded a $100,000 grant to support safety training courses targeting several workforce sectors in the Coastal Bend.

Over the past year, Texas Mutual’s grant funding supported DMC safety training for nearly 700 students. These individuals took 78 classes that totaled more than 1,520 course hours.

The college’s comprehensive safety training is designed to meet diverse workforce needs. Courses emphasize both prevention and preparedness that empower participants to identify hazards, apply best practices and respond confidently in critical situations.

Safety training addresses the needs of several employment sectors ranging from construction, healthcare and industrial to equipment operations, maritime, energy and food service.

DMC provides industry-recognized safety and certification training, including the OSHA 30-Hour course, healthcare CPR and AED instruction, mariner safety techniques and heavy equipment operator training.

In many instances, these courses are offered at little to no cost by using Texas Mutual funds to support the college’s safety training programs. The grant removes financial barriers among individuals and employers, especially underserved populations and small businesses, giving them access to essential safety education that otherwise might be out of reach.

Learn more about Del Mar College’s safety training offerings by visiting delmar.edu/ce/index.html.  For more information on Texas Mutual and its work in the community, visit texasmutual.com.

-###

About Texas Mutual Insurance Company

Austin-based Texas Mutual Insurance Company is the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, serving nearly 40% of the market and over 80,000 businesses. Since 1991, Texas Mutual has provided stable, competitive coverage, exceptional service and industry-leading safety resources to help build a stronger, safer Texas. Texas Mutual is also the parent company of Texicare, a health affiliate dedicated to providing innovative solutions that increase access to more affordable, easy-to-use, quality healthcare for Texas businesses, employees and families. With nearly $4.8 billion paid to policyholders in general dividends and $100 million invested in organizations strengthening our community, Texas Mutual is committed to the future of Texas.

Del Mar College’s (DMC) Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Program is changing lives. A first for DMC, this innovative program is designed to expedite qualifying in-district students’ completion of an associate’s degree within a three-year period by attending full time after signing a commitment contract.

The college has now launched the online inquiry and application process for its revised version, Freedom to Dream 2.0, for the 2026-2027 academic year. The web page includes updates that address selected students’ college readiness to ensure their success in reaching their goals. The deadline to apply is April 30.

To date, over 1,815 in-district residents have applied for Freedom to Dream 2.0.

And, for anyone living within the Del Mar College taxing district but hesitant about beginning a journey in higher education, ask 31-year-old Pamela Mangum about how her life is changing as a participant in the program.

The 2013 Tuloso-Midway High School graduate “signed the dotted line” last year and is among more than 1,700 in-district students enrolled at DMC through the Freedom to Dream initiative. The program is supporting her journey to complete her associate’s degree in computer programming, a dream that might have gone unfulfilled without that assistance.
 

Like many individuals’ experiences, Mangum started college right after high school but then dropped out when mounting family obligations and challenges took precedence. In her case, the birth of her daughter with a medical condition requiring round-the-clock care, her husband’s full-time job and apprenticeship to become an electrician as well as living and medical expenses leading to a paycheck-to-paycheck existence put her college education on hold.

Now she can reach her goal through DMC’s Freedom to Dream initiative, and so can a new cohort of in-district students for the 2026-2027 academic year with “Freedom to Dream 2.0.”

She notes that focusing on college readiness and the addition of “Success Coaches”  will keep students on track from the beginning to the end of their educational journey at DMC. “Our goal is successful student outcomes as we prepare all Freedom to Dream participants for the workforce or their next path in higher education that they choose to take, ” Dr. Benavides-Dominguez adds, noting the persistence rate among the first cohort between this year’s fall and spring semesters is 82 percent compared to the college’s original goal of 70 percent.

Success Coaches’ primary focus is to increase student retention, persistence and graduation rates for Freedom to Dream students. These individuals provide students with personalized coaching so that students meet tuition waiver program requirements, complete educational and transfer goals as well as connect to resources that support academic success.

“Freedom to Dream has a requirement that I attend two advising meetings each semester, and I’m extremely grateful for this because my advisor consistently gives me information about scholarships, pathways to check out and easier ways to help me succeed,”  Mangum notes.

Compared to the first iteration of Freedom to Dream that Mangum is completing, DMC’s revised Freedom to Dream 2.0 Tuition Waiver Program focuses on “college readiness” as a requirement along with other updates associated with this change:  

     • Applicants must demonstrate their preparedness for college-level courses by earning college
      readiness benchmark scores on the Texas Success Imitative Assessment (TSIA) 2.0 test.
      See steps to take the TSIA test and readiness score requirements.

     • Freedom to Dream 2.0 will not cover tuition for developmental courses needed to bring 
       participants up to college level work in English, mathematics and reading.

Students can alternately pursue stackable “Marketable Skills Awards” offered through DMC Continuing Education (CE) programs that can count toward academic programs, build workforce skills and are considered by the state as “credentials of value.”

Qualifying individuals must live within the college’s taxing district, which includes the Corpus Christi, Calallen, Flour Bluff, Tuloso-Midway and West Oso Independent School Districts and parts of London and Robstown ISDs. 

Other criteria include:

     • High school graduates must be part of the Class of 2026, including General Education 
        Development (GED) recipients, and Dual Credit students, who are eligible regardless of the 
        number of credits they’ve earned.
     • Adult learners must have 12 or fewer semester credit hours completed and have attempted no 
        more than 18 semester hours at the time the fall 2026 semester begins, which is Aug. 24. 

Among other requirements original to the program are 1) enrollment as a full-time student with no less than 12 semester credit hours each semester (fall and spring) and 2) maintaining a minimum 2.0 grade point average to continue receiving the tuition waiver.

When Mangum completes her journey at Del Mar College, she will be the first in her family to graduate from college.

She adds, “This waiver has changed the course of not only my life but my children’s as well.”  

To learn more about qualifying criteria for Freedom to Dream 2.0 and to fill out an online request for information form, visit www.delmar.edu/freedom. 

Before the April 30 application deadline, interested “in-district” residents can also attend a Freedom to Dream 2.0 information session scheduled at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday for the remaining dates and campuses:

     • March 18: Main Central Building, Oso Creek Campus, 7002 Yorktown Blvd. (78414)
     • April 15: Coleman Center, Windward Campus, 4101 Old Brownsville Road (78405)

Questions? Contact Del Mar College’s Student Enrollment Center at 361-698-1290 or enroll@delmar.edu. 

 

When it comes to cybersecurity training, the Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute, or CyManII, is focused on creating technical innovations that drive a cybersecure and energy dominant U.S manufacturing enterprise and workforce. CyManII is based at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and includes the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security, the Institute for Cyber Security and the Cyber Center for Security and Analytics.

As part of the organization’s outreach initiatives, CyManII has unveiled its Mobile Training Vehicle (MTV), a state-of-the-art learning lab on wheels. The MTV provides all the advantages of the organization’s classroom and learning lab – the Cyber Range – but in a remote capacity, which gives manufacturers and university students the opportunity to detect, identify and effectively mitigate cyber threats.

On Feb. 26 and Feb. 27, Del Mar College students, faculty and staff got a chance to step inside and explore cutting-edge cyber technology the MTV houses, meet CyManII experts and see real-world cybersecurity tools in action. The public is invited to stop by, get inspired and discover how DMC is connected to the future of cyber innovation through its Computer Science Program while meeting with faculty!
 

Xu adds: “It also highlights the strong Network Administration and Information Security (NAIS) programs we offer at Del Mar College, where we prepare learners for high‑demand careers. We encourage everyone to stop by, engage with the technology, and see how cybersecurity skills impact every industry.”

Tuesday, March 3, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and facility map. 

The regular meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 12:55 p.m.

A copy of the Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available online as follows: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/agenda-packet-3-3-26.pdf.

Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the College’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.

If you’ve thought about attending college this coming fall but believe the cost makes that dream impossible … think, again. It’s possible! Not only has Del Mar College launched the updated “Freedom to Dream 2.0” Tuition Waiver Program for in-district residents, the DMC Foundation is also currently accepting online scholarship applications from ALL students for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Applicants are required to submit only one application; the Foundation’s scholarship portal will then automatically match them to every scholarship for which they qualify. For more information and to complete the quick 7- to 15-minute scholarship application, go to delmar.edu/scholarships.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the DMC Foundation awarded over $2.85 million  in scholarships to more than 1,430 students.

Students attending DMC with a minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester and with a minimum 2.0 grade point average or a GED equivalency are eligible to apply. Essays are not required.

The DMC Foundation administers donor-funded scholarships, both direct and endowed. Funds help students pay for tuition, fees, technology, books or whatever is needed to start and successfully complete their education at Del Mar College. 

In-district students are also eligible to apply for the “Freedom to Dream 2.0” Tuition Waiver Program and DMC Foundation scholarships; and if accepted by both programs, they can use scholarship funds for everything beyond tuition costs. As a first-in funding program, the Freedom to Dream initiative has received $500,000 each year for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years from the DMC Foundation with the Board of Trustees’ approval to use these funds previously donated for the Viking Promise Program. 

“The DMC Foundation and its Board of Trustees proudly support the Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver program and partner closely with the college to ensure students receive the maximum financial assistance possible, helping them graduate sooner,” notes Busby, adding: “Students are encouraged to apply for both the Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver program and DMC Foundation scholarships for additional support throughout their academic journey.”

The Foundation’s scholarship program offers awards to both part-time and full-time students. Eligible students may receive scholarships without regard to federal or state financial aid eligibility. 

Don’t wait to apply! The DMC Foundation scholarship application deadline is April 30!

Questions? Contact the DMC Foundation at foundation@delmar.edu or 361-698-1317.


 

Valentine’s Day is not just a day for romantic love. For area Scouts this year, it was a perfect day to showcase their love of the values and learning adventures, along with a deep esprit de corps, that’s gained as part of the Scouting life.

On Feb. 14, Del Mar College once again hosted the annual Merit Badge College at the Windward Campus. Troops with the South Texas Council Scouting America (STCAS), formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, spent the day during this skills-building event completing classes taught by about 60 DMC faculty and staff to earn highly prized Merit Badges for their sashes.

Nearly 140 Scouts from throughout the 17-county area of the South Texas Council, along with others from surrounding councils, attended morning and afternoon sessions.

Merit Badge College Chair Mike Jones, DMC Professor of Speech and Scoutmaster, says that there are currently 141 Merit badges in the Scouts BSA catalogue. As of January 2026, over 80 merit badge requirements have been updated to reflect modern careers, outdoor ethics and safety.

“A new program in Scouts BSA is the Merit Badge Test Lab where prospective badges are offered, and Scouts can help pilot new offerings,” he notes. “Scouts receive a certificate upon completing the test badge; and if the National Council decides to make the badge official, the Scouts receive the badge, too.” 

Current test badges are Auctioneering, Wildland Fire Management, Life Skills, Physics, Sewing & Needlework, Dance and Psychology.

Scouts were also able to earn more than one badge in a single class, which includes Aviation, Communication, Public Speaking and Crime Prevention and Fingerprinting where they can earn two badges.

Scouts pursuing the Welding badge spent the whole day receiving instruction at DMC’s Metals Technology Building. Additionally, Scouts also had the option to earn two new badges that were introduced during this year’s Merit Badge College––Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity–– with the badges focusing on responsible technology use and practical skills.

The full list of 26 classes offered during Merit Badge College 2026 included:

·      Architecture  
·      Artificial Intelligence (AI)  
·      Automotive Maintenance  
·      Aviation  
·      Citizenship in Society
·      Communication
·      Crime Prevention
·      Cybersecurity  
·      Digital Technology  
·      Drafting  
·      Electronics  
·      Emergency Preparedness  
·      Entrepreneurship  
·      Farm Mechanics  
·      Fingerprinting
·      First Aid  
·      Health Care Professions  
·      Moviemaking  
·      Personal Fitness  
·      Personal Management  
·      Programming  
·      Public Speaking  
·      Salesmanship  
·      Traffic Safety
·      Truck Transportation
·      Welding

Jones says Merit Badge College is a great way to accomplish two goals.

“The Merit Badge College is an amazing opportunity to serve area youth in Scouting while at the same time showcasing higher education,” he says. “These youth take classes with Del Mar College faculty who are specialists in their fields; and for many of them, this is their first visit to a college campus and their first interaction with faculty, inspiring many to inquire further about career opportunities.”  

It’s that time of year when high school students converge in Corpus Christi to compete in the Skills USA Texas District 12 Leadership and Skills Conference. This year, Del Mar College (DMC) hosted hundreds of competitors Feb. 5-7, as they competed for top spots for statewide competition later this spring.

Organizers anticipated over 500 students competing at the district level, demonstrating their skills not only at DMC facilities at the Windward and Oso Creek campuses and Center for Economic Development but also other locations around the city.

High school students from grades 9-12 representing 15 counties across South Texas––even as far away as Laredo and Crystal City––demonstrated their skills during a variety of contests ranging from architectural drafting to cabinet making to firefighting to robotics to video news production.

Area competitors represented high schools with the Corpus Christi Independent School District––including Carroll, Miller and Ray high schools and the Harold T. Branch Academy––along with students from Alice, Beeville, Bishop, London, Robstown, Rockport and Tuloso-Midway ISDs.

Among this year’s competitions were two themed contests. The Commercial Baking Job Exhibit Competition and the Nail Art Competition featured a thematic focus on “Cosmic Horizons: Reaching for the Stars” so that competitors could base their designs on rockets, spaceships, planets or other space-related elements.

Overall, the 2026 USA Skills Texas District 12 conference included approximately 96 different categories with DMC faculty and staff, along with industry partner representatives, serving as judges.

The competition wrapped up with an awards ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 3 p.m. in Wolfe Recital Hall on the college’s Heritage Campus.

Winners will now advance to state competition, which will also be held in Corpus Christi at the Hilliard Center and other city venues across the city. High school students from across Texas will compete here April 8-11 before winners advance to national competition in Atlanta, Ga., in June.

SkillsUSA is a national career and technical student organization that serves more than 395,000 high school, college and middle school students and professional members enrolled in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. Given its immense size, the state of Texas is broken up into three SkillsUSA Texas regions that encompass 13 districts.

Nicole Kindzirsky, DMC Industrial Technology Department Instructor and 2025 District 12 Leadership & Skills Conference Contest Coordinator for SkillsUSA Texas, says Del Mar College has hosted district- and state-level competitions for more than a decade, noting that the competition gives students an opportunity to meet and interact with DMC’s experienced and highly dedicated instructors as well as compete in the college’s classrooms and labs. 

She says, “In a sense, these District 12 students can feel what it’s like to be a DMC Viking while competing at the college’s facilities. Many of the pathways they have started in high school can lead directly into those we offer and allow them to complete certificates, an associate degree and even a bachelor’s degree as a DMC student.”

Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and facility map. 

The regular meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 12:55 p.m.

A copy of the Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available online as follows: 
delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/regular-agenda-packet-2-3-2026.pdf

Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the College’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.

It may be a little too early for “spring cleaning.” However, it’s never too early to have your teeth cleaned! Or maybe you need X-rays taken and a review of your dental history.

This spring semester, the Del Mar College (DMC) Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs are offering services at “no cost”  as part of students’ clinical training while they provide Coastal Bend residents a healthier smile and wallet.

The Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting clinics combined provide a variety of services, including medical history reviews, blood pressure screenings, intra-oral examinations, dental preliminary assessments, periodontal assessments, dental hygiene education, oral cancer screenings, radiographs (X-rays), fluoride treatments (as needed), selective polishing, conservative periodontal therapy, dental hygiene therapy and dental sealants.

Services are underway and run through early May. However, now is the time to sign up due to an extended commitment from patients for some services that are student-provided by the Dental Hygiene Clinic.

The Dental Assisting Clinic is held every Thursday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. The Dental Hygiene Clinic is scheduled Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. and only 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Clinics will not be held the week of Del Mar College’s Spring Break (March 9-14).

The Dental Hygiene Clinic gives students the training and required hours needed to complete the program. Students performing procedures are under the supervision of program faculty, and patients’ care usually requires more than one visit.

Patient selection is based on the educational and clinical requirements of students. DMC faculty will determine acceptance of patients after a “qualifying appointment.”  

For full details about patient selection, appointments and other pertinent information, visit the clinic web page at delmar.edu/offices/dental-clinic/index.html.

The Dental Programs Clinic is in Room 125 of Health Sciences Building 1 on Del Mar College’s Windward Campus at 4101 Old Brownsville Road (78405). Access directions and the online campus map.

To schedule a “qualifying appointment,” call 361-698-2854 or email dentalclinic@delmar.edu.

Del Mar College’s (DMC) Cain Gallery not only pays tribute to the late Joseph A. Cain, the facility also keeps his vision alive. Cain, who served as Chair of the Art Department from the mid-1960s until his passing in 1980, dreamed of a juried art show that would annually attract some of the best contemporary artwork created by local artists as well as those from across the state and country.

Now celebrating 60 years of his vision, the Art Program with the DMC Art and Drama Department will commemorate his vision with an opening reception for the 2026 CAIN National Art Show on Friday, Feb. 13. This year’s guest juror is Brooklyn artist Tabitha Whitley, who will also provide a free Art Talk on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. in Richardson Performance Hall while she’s visiting Corpus Christi.

The free reception is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. in Cain Gallery and features the 55 pieces selected by Whitley. The event also includes complimentary catered hors d’ oeuvres from Citrus Bistro and a cash bar. Additionally, the Art Program purchases artwork for its Permanent Collection each year, and those winners will be announced during the event.  The reception is supported by an anonymous donor, Del Mar College’s Art faculty and the City of Corpus Christi Arts & Cultural Commission.

The CAIN National Art Show runs weekdays Feb. 16 through April 17 with free public viewing Mondays through Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays, except during DMC’s  Spring Break closing March 9-14.

The Fine Arts Center (Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery) and Richardson Performance Hall are on the DMC Heritage Campus located at 101 Baldwin. Blvd. (78404). Get online directions and campus map. Questions can be directed to the DMC Art Program at 361-698-1216 or art@delmar.edu.

This year’s CAIN National Art Show attracted 985 entries with 55 selected for exhibition, including 25 sculptures and 30 two-dimensional artworks from artists representing 18 states.

“As an artist, I have spent much of my career on the applicant side of art competitions, so I understand how meaningful an opportunity like this can be,” said Whitley, noting she was honored to serve as this year’s guest juror. “With that in mind, I gave careful consideration to each of the nearly 1,000 works submitted.”

Whitley noted that while reviewing entries, she “sought works that were not only visually compelling but also grounded in a well-developed concept, and I was particularly drawn to pieces that told human stories.”

Whitley’s own work delves into themes of identity, heritage and our interconnectedness with nature. Her pieces have been widely exhibited with notable shows, including a prestigious group show at the Brooklyn Museum — Brooklyn Artist Exhibition — and a solo show at Gracie Mansion — From Roots to Radiance: Embracing Her Soft Era. Whitley’s art has also garnered attention in esteemed publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian. 

Currently residing in her native Brooklyn, New York, Whitley continues to pursue her studio practice, creating art that reflects her deep engagement with personal and universal themes. 

She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2009 followed by her Master in Fine Arts degree in the same medium from the New York Academy of Art in 2011, where she also served as the President of the Alumni Association and on the academy’s Board of Trustees. Learn more about the artist and her work by visiting her website at www.tabithawhitley.com/.  

Regarding her final thoughts about the CAIN National Art Show, Whitley said, “As the accepted works came together, a cohesive exhibition began to emerge; and while the show was not required to have a unifying theme, I found reflections of my own story within it.”

“As a native New Yorker born and raised in Brooklyn, I grew up immersed in a rich mix of cultures, languages and identities, so the diverse group of artists, [who represent] a wide range of cultural backgrounds and gender identities, reflects the communities that shaped me as both an artist and a person,” she said, noting: “This exhibition mirrors the inclusivity I hope to see more widely embraced within the art world.”

Visit the Cain Gallery web page at delmar.edu/offices/art/gallery.html. 

Due to extreme winter weather conditions, Del Mar College will shift to remote operations and instruction tomorrow, Monday, January 26.

Students should watch for guidance from faculty regarding online classes and assignments. DMC understands that some students may have limited access to technology, and faculty will work with students as needed.

Supervisors should contact their staff members to provide guidance on meetings and work assignments.

During remote operations and instruction, all Del Mar College physical campuses will be closed. Employees and students are asked to not attempt to come to campus on Monday.

Normal operations will resume Tuesday, January 27.

The health and safety of our students, employees, and guests remain our top priority. Please continue to monitor the Del Mar College website, email, and official social media channels for weather-related updates.
 

Del Mar College (DMC) has appointed Dr. Gerald F. Napoles as its next Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, following a national search. He will step into the role this spring, succeeding longtime DMC leader Lenora Keas, who is retiring this January.

Dr. Napoles brings more than two decades of leadership across Texas, California, and Kentucky community colleges and currently serves as Vice Chancellor of Student Success at Lone Star College in Houston. His portfolio includes systemwide initiatives in student success, enrollment services, strategic planning, technology modernization focused on collaboration and the student experience.

Throughout his career, Dr. Napoles has built meaningful partnerships with K-12 school districts, economic development boards, industry, and nonprofit organizations to expand workforce training, dual credit access, transfer pathways and student support. He’s known for community-focused leadership and aligning college initiatives with regional needs.

His leadership at Lone Star College includes roles as President of the North Harris campus, Interim President at CyFair, CEO of System Office–University Park and Special Assistant to the Chancellor. Previously, he served in Kentucky as Senior Vice President of Student and Organizational Success and Vice President of Student Affairs at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College.

Dr. Napoles has served as an accreditation liaison and reviewer with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the accrediting body for both Del Mar and Lone Star College. Nationally, he served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges and has worked with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development NISOD, the Center for Community College Student Engagement and Achieving the Dream, leading national organizations focused on student success and institutional excellence.

A first-generation college student, Dr. Napoles began his journey at Dallas College-Richland Campus. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University, a master’s from the University of North Texas and a doctorate in Education Administration with a focus on community college leadership from The University of Texas at Austin. In 2024, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Dallas College.

Dr. Napoles will officially begin his new role at Del Mar College in early April.

On Thursday, Jan. 15, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a called meeting beginning at 5 p.m. in Room 106 of the Center for Economic Development at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map.

The meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 4:55 p.m.

A copy of the Agenda Notice is available online as follows: 
www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/called-meeting-1-15-2026.pdf .

Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html.

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the College’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.

He could have been a welder all his life, but the lure of the stage proved irresistible to retired Del Mar College (DMC) theatre educator Michael “Kim” Frederick. He chose to leave behind a lucrative career and start down the path toward teaching back in 1979. 

But it wasn’t just the performing bug that bit him. Frederick fell in love with teaching from the very first day and never looked back. 

Recently, college officials announced the conferral of the title Professor Emeritus of Drama to Frederick, recognizing his career defined by passion, service and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of the arts. He was awarded the distinction during the DMC Board of Regents regular monthly meeting on Dec. 9. 

“Emeritus” status is among the highest honors the college can bestow and is reserved for faculty whose careers reflect distinguished service, meritorious teaching and significant contributions to higher education. For more than 36 years, Frederick embodied those ideals on the stage, in the classroom and throughout the community.

As a Professor of Drama, Frederick served as an exemplary educator and mentor, teaching a wide range of theater courses, developing new curricula, and directing more than 50 productions. His work supported the college’s earliest Dual Enrollment students and helped generations of learners discover confidence, discipline and voice through theater. His dedication to teaching excellence was recognized statewide when the Texas Association of Theatre Educators named him Community College Educator of the Year in 2017.

Beyond the classroom, Frederick’s leadership shaped the growth and national standing of Del Mar College’s Drama Program. He served for more than two decades as Drama Program Coordinator and later as Chair of the Art and Drama Department. Through thoughtful assessment and continuous improvement, he was instrumental in achieving national accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Theatre—a milestone that elevated the Drama Program and its students. Frederick also championed the creation of new art and drama facilities, including the Sue Finley Theatre, which opened in 2012 and remains a cornerstone of campus cultural life.

DMC Professor of Drama Carl Yowell was by Frederick’s side for nearly three decades as a colleague and reflected on the experience as he spoke in favor of the designation during the board’s meeting.

“Kim inspired all of us, his colleagues, to put in the extra time beyond our teaching load and our typical production loads to come and do this in service to the college,” Yowell said. “He was the Pied Piper in our merry band.”

Frederick’s influence extended well beyond Del Mar College. A lifelong advocate for the arts, he served on the City of Corpus Christi Arts and Cultural Commission and led a team of community leaders in crafting the presentation that earned Corpus Christi the prestigious “All-America City” designation in 2003. Known for his clarity, humor and unmistakable directorial presence, Frederick brought artists, educators, civic leaders and students together—always meeting people where they were and inviting them to rise higher.

DMC President and CEO Dr. Mark Escamilla, noted that Frederick’s passion for the college was an inspiration to him as he was getting his bearings during the early days of his own tenure. 

“You've been a guide for so many, a mentor for so many. Your spirit and your love for theater and everything – all things arts, all things Del Mar – resonates all throughout the community. It still does. It always will,” Dr. Escamilla said. 

Even in retirement, Frederick’s commitment continues. Through the Kim Frederick Endowed Drama Scholarship Fund, which awarded its first scholarship in spring 2025, he is investing in the future of Del Mar College students and the art form he loves.

By unanimously approving “emeritus” status, the Board of Regents acknowledged not only Frederick’s professional accomplishments but also the personal legacy he leaves behind: a mentor whose passion was unmistakable, a colleague whose leadership inspired extra effort and deep loyalty and an educator who chose purpose over comfort while never looking back.

“This college has a great legacy of recognizing service. If you look at Heritage Campus, look at the names: Coles, Venters, Heldenfels, Anzaldua, Creighton, Garcia, St. Clair, Wolfe, Bartlett, Richardson, Finley and Cain,” Yowell said during the Board meeting. “These are not donors. These are people who gave the minutes, hours, days and years of their lives in service to this institution and its community. And Kim is among that number–the minutes and hours and days and years of his life [that he gave to us all].”

Upon the Board’s conferral, Frederick said that his greatest relationship was with DMC and noted that even through many changes over the years, his passion for the college’s theater program only grew with time. He urged regents to champion the performing arts going forward. 

“I hope that we all see behind or ahead of the curve on what is a major of consequence or a major of value, and the majors that our students want to study is of consequence and of value,” he said of fine arts, adding of his new title: “I am so blessed. This a great honor.”

Professor Emeritus… Frederick’s new title says it all…his life’s work that enriched students, strengthened programs and forever shaped artistic and educational legacies at Del Mar College.