TAMU-CC President and CEO Kelly Quintanilla, Ph.D., Giving Spring Commencement Address on May 10
Article by: Melinda Eddleman
The day Del Mar College “prospective” graduates have been waiting for is just around the corner. Spring 2019 Commencement is scheduled Friday, May 10, at the American Bank Center with the ceremony beginning at 7 p.m.
The College will award approximately 1,198 certificates and associate’s degrees combined to 980 prospective graduates this spring. More than 700 students have indicated they will participate during the ceremony.
Before they walk the stage, however, graduation participants and their family and friends will hear from keynote speaker Kelly M. Quintanilla, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Quintanilla assumed her current role at the “Island University” in August 2017. She joined the university’s faculty in 1994, having just earned her Ph.D. in Communication from Pennsylvania State University.
As a professor of communication for 16 years, Quintanilla taught courses in Business & Professional Communication, Teamwork & Leadership, Organizational Communication, Public Relations and Public Speaking. She also is the lead author of the book Business and Professional Communication, Keys for Workplace Excellence, which is in its 4th edition.
Quintanilla has worked as a consultant and corporate trainer in the Coastal Bend, assisting organizations such as H-E-B, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Corpus Christi Army Depot, the City of Corpus Christi and many others. She has received many awards for her teaching, service, advising and scholarship.
Prior to becoming president and CEO, Quintanilla served in multiple administrative roles at the university, including provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, director of the School of Arts, Media & Communication and chair for the Department of Communication and Theatre.
Quintanilla is active in the community with service as a board member for the Corpus Christi United Chamber of Commerce, Citizens for Educational Excellence, the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital, the Texas State Aquarium, the Art Museum of South Texas, the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra and the Harbor Playhouse.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.