DMC News
- Del Mar College Names Matthew Busby as Vice President of Development and Donor AdvisingArticle by DMC College Relations Office Del Mar College (DMC) officials recently announced that Matthew Busby has been appointed as Vice President of Development and Donor Advising. He will lead the DMC Foundation team, focusing on building philanthropic support and meaningful engagement among donors, alumni and supporters of the College. Busby joined the College in January 2019, serving most recently as Associate Vice President of Development and providing leadership and strategic vision to fundraising efforts. More than $18 million has been donated to the College with multiple record fundraising years after Busby became a member of the DMC Development Office. Additionally, nearly $11 million in scholarships has been awarded to more than 8,400 students; and, more than $540,000 has been awarded to students facing emergency situations, allowing them to stay on-track with their education. He added, “I look forward to increasing our listening and support of students, faculty, staff and supporters. Together with our community partners, we will take philanthropy to greater heights in striving for excellence and innovation.” Busby has 16 years of experience with Texas community colleges. He previously served in a fundraising position at College of the Mainland in Texas City and in fundraising, academic advising and financial aid positions at Hill College. He is a Past President of the Texas Association of Community College Foundations and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi. He holds an Associate in Arts degree from Temple College, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Baylor University in Waco and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University. Busby also holds the professional credential of Certified Fund Raising Executive. About the Del Mar College Foundation Established in 1983, the Del Mar College Foundation is people helping people. The Foundation provides scholarships, supports educational programs and works with other organizations to help remove barriers for students. We identify and develop resources that help solve problems in our community. Ninety percent (90%) of Del Mar College students come from the local area and remain in the community. As students join the local workforce, the credentials they earn at Del Mar College increase their earning potential, empowering them to become productive, contributing citizens. Their lives and the lives of their families are forever changed by the newfound prospect of financial stability. The Foundation’s goal is to provide the resources needed for all students to have the ability to achieve their educational goals. Learn more about the DMC Foundation at www.delmar.edu/foundation. (Editor's note: click on photo to enlarge and download.)
- DMC Volunteers Take Over, Teach Junior Achievement Principles at West Oso ISD’s JFK Elementary School as Part of “JA in a Day”Article by Melinda Eddleman For 15 youngsters in kindergarten teacher Flor Elizondo’s class, learning life’s lessons about “needs” and “wants” was a major part of their curriculum on Wednesday, April 17. The lesson plan was taught by Del Mar College (DMC) volunteers as part of the Junior Achievement (JA) of the Coastal Bend’s “JA in a Day” at the West Oso Independent School District’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School. Overall, 34 volunteers participated in the teaching experience, including 29 from DMC, who followed research- proven curricula focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career and workforce readiness. Lessons were tailored to the kindergarten and first grade students whose classes that the volunteers were assigned to cover age-appropriate materials in a day. “We are excited to have Junior Achievement at JFK Elementary because it is never too early for our students to learn about the importance of saving and giving and the benefits of working hard to succeed in life,” said Principal Roxanna Martinez prior to Wednesday’s “JA in a Day.”. The mission of “JA in a Day” is all about imparting “possible,” and for Junior Achievement USA, the organization dedicated to inspiriting and preparing America’s youth for success in what is now a global economy, engraining concepts focused on education and career pathways, financial confidence and even business ownership can never come too early as part of preparing young participants for their future. Dr. Sramek and fellow College employee Cynthia Soliz, Health Sciences Advisor, served as the two teaching volunteers in Elizondo’s kindergarten class. All “JA in a Day” volunteers received training and materials to cover lessons tailored to their assigned grade levels, which included: • Kindergartners: JA Ourselves uses storybook characters in read-aloud and hands-on activities to introduce the role people play in an economy. Through engaging, volunteer-led activities, young students learn about individual choices, money, the importance of saving and giving, along with the value of work. • Frist Graders: JA Our Families (first grade) explains how family members’ jobs and businesses contribute to the well-being of the family and the community. The program introduces the concept of needs and wants and explores the ways families plan for and acquire goods and services. Students analyze their own skills to determine ways they can support their families. Junior Achievement USA’s proven lesson plans align with national and state educational standards and are delivered by educational partners and local community volunteers to millions of students across the country. The organization’s website notes that “research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success and have started a business as an adult.” “These JA volunteers dedicated their time to introduce important topics such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career-readiness to help students better understand business and economics,” said Ezra Moreno, JA of the Coastal Bend Program Manager, of volunteers’ efforts today. “It is not every day that Junior Achievement is able to reach every K-5 student in a district;. However, today’s volunteer day marked our reaching goal of teaching Junior Achievement curriculum to all 44 elementary classrooms throughout West Oso ISD.” DMC volunteers taught grade-focused curriculum last fall to youth attending both JFK and West Oso Elementary Schools, which included kindergarten through fifth graders.
Foghorn News
- Elevate361 now officially openCity of Corpus Christi officials celebrated the opening of a new West Side community center for a program aimed at empowering young people through mentorship, education resources, and career development opportunities. The new building for the program, Elevate 361, which first had its ‘soft opening’ in Oct 2023, located on Morgan Avenue and will serve young people between the ages of 16 and 24 years old who want to finish their education or finding employment. “When it comes to the future, for any community, especially for Corpus Christi, it is all about our youths.” Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo said…
- Cast shares their thoughts on upcoming showThe drama department’s upcoming musical performance, “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee,” excites more than just the cast according to its various student performers. “This is the kind of show where there’s no real fourth wall, so if you’re sitting in the audience, you’ve come to the spelling bee and I’m going to look at you and I’m going to talk to you because I can and do see you,” cast member Mia Dobbins explained. She also mentioned the musical’s built-in audience participation moments as one of her most favorite aspects. Dobbins plays the role of Olive Ostrovsky, who she…
CampusWell
- Stressed about the state of the planet? How to cope with climate anxietyClimate change-related events can cause stress, fear, and anxiety—but connecting with community can build resilience and give you the strength to navigate these difficult feelings. Learn more about climate anxiety and how to manage it. The post Stressed about the state of the planet? How to cope with climate anxiety appeared first on Gavilan College.
- Break out of chore inertia with this easy cleaning hackRepetitive chores, like the dishes or laundry, can feel never-ending—and difficult to even start. Envisioning these tasks as a cycle—instead of an infinite to-do list—can help you get more done. The post Break out of chore inertia with this easy cleaning hack appeared first on Gavilan College.