Article by Melinda Eddleman If you have ever viewed the artwork selected for Del Mar College’s CAIN National Art Show, you can expect a stellar exhibit encompassing pieces purchased by the college for its permanent collection. The variety of 2- and 3-D artwork is one to be envied. Leading up to the 60th anniversary of the juried national show, which will open in February 2026, the Art Program with the DMC Art & Drama Department will offer an exhibit, “Selections from the Permanent Collection,” that features 43 pieces––20 drawings and 23 small sculptures–– purchased from each CAIN National Art Show for nearly six decades. You now have the chance to see these works. A free opening reception is scheduled Friday, Sept. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. in CAIN Gallery, located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Center on the Heritage Campus (101 Baldwin Blvd., 78404). Get online directions and campus map. The event also features a cash bar and free hors d’ oeuvres. “Selections from the Permanent Collection” runs through Friday, Oct. 31. Galery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday and viewing is free.  For more information about the opening reception and fall show, contact the DMC Art Office at 361-698-1216 or art@delmar.edu.  The CAIN National Art Show attracts annually artists from all over the country who submit their 2- and 3-D artwork for consideration by well-known jurors. Each spring, three pieces among the national show also are selected for Purchase Awards for the college’s Permanent Collection.  The fall 2025 show features some of these purchases, including works by renowned artists such as Ron Koehler, local artist Greg Reuter and Danville Chadbourne. Additionally, current DMC Assistant Professor of Art Nathan Ditzler is included among artists featured in the exhibit with work selected for the Permanent Collection before he was hired to teach at the college.  “Selections from the Permanent Collection” celebrates the legacy of the late Joseph A. Cain and the national art show that he founded. Don’t miss the exhibit as Cain Gallery lights shine on some of the best artwork available for viewing this fall.   Editor's note: Shown in the banner is artist Margit Iika’s painting titled” 1908’s No. 1.”  Click on the other two artwork photos for cutlines and to download the JPEG.  

Article by Melinda Eddleman If you’ve planned to attend Del Mar College (DMC) credit classes this fall but haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late! One last opportunity, Eleventh Hour Registration, is scheduled for in-person registration and other assistance this Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Harvin Student Center on the Heritage Campus (101 Baldwin Blvd., 78404). Online registration for individuals with complete admissions files is available, too. Tuition and fees payment is due by 6 p.m. Aug. 26. Fall credit courses begin Monday, Aug. 25. Classes include 8-, 12-, 15- and 16-week sessions that provide students with scheduling options to fit into busy work, family, and life schedules. Both current and prospective students can view current course offerings in preparation to register. Additionally, current students can use WebDMC to check their financial aid status, review their degree plan and find other information. Prospective students needing to complete their admissions file can get more information about the process on the Admissions web page. Contact the DMC Student Enrollment Center at 361-698-1290 or enroll@delmar.edu about fall registration or visit www.delmar.edu/registration. Thinking about a career in hospitality? It’s BIG business in the Coastal Bend region, and no one knows that more than the professionals who work in the industry. In recent decades, Corpus Christi has ramped up its reputation as a coastal must-visit destination for fellow Texans in landlocked locales looking to get away for a bit as well as road-tripping visitors who hail from neighboring states. Because of anticipated growth, DMC has created a separate Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Department. In the Coastal Bend, the Texas Workforce Commission projected an employment increase from 2022 to 2032 of 8.5% for chefs and head cooks, nearly 8% for food service managers and 13.6% for lodging managers, and salaries are competitive as well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in Texas the median annual salary (MAS) for a chef or head cook is $56,520 while the MAS for a food service manager is $61,310 and $62,000 for a hotel manager in the Lone Star State. According to Visit Corpus Christi, tourism is the second-largest industry sector in the city and employs more than 24,000 people. Service-minded talent ready to make the most of their skills can now major in the department’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Programs. Additionally, the department is offering two new Occupational Skills Awards (OSAs) in Cook/Baker and Hospitality and Tourism. The Associate of Applied Science degree in Hospitality Management and Level II Certificates have also been updated to Hospitality and Tourism Management with two new classes in Convention and Meeting Management and Dining Room Service.   Have questions about a career in the hospitality industry and current training at Del Mar College? Contact the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Department at 361-698-1856 or visit their web pages at www.delmar.edu/offices/cahm/index.html.   This fall is a good time to start that career in the industry … even if you’re registering at the “eleventh hour.” Del Mar College is where you can “own your dreams.”  

Article by Melinda Eddleman On Friday, Aug. 8, Del Mar College (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. Among the two community colleges and five independent school districts (ISDs) that received oversized checks representing a combined $1,692,417 were Del Mar College, Victoria College and Banquete, Calhoun County, Corpus Christi, George West and San Diego ISDs (read Office of the Texas Governor release). The oversized check awards from the commission were signed and then presented to each school by TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. DMC received a $313,833 JET grant for its Automotive Applied Technology Program with the Department of Architecture, Aviation and Automotive. The college also partners with four of the five ISDs that received the TWC’s grant to train their students in health care (Banquete, George West and San Diego) and in electronics (Corpus Christi). The JET grant funds DMC received were used to purchase high-tech training equipment to prepare students as technicians for modern vehicle repairs and maintenance in the automotive industry. That equipment includes:             - Consulink Cruze 1.4L Engine Trainer includes new GDI and start/stop technology              that allows students to perform a basic “road test” and engine diagnostics within the              classroom. This trainer also teaches engine diagnostics.             - Consulab Fuel Injection & GM Engine Management System is used to teach engine              management technologies found in modern day vehicles.             - Consulab Ohm’s Law and DC Circuit Trainers (Classroom Set) is a self-contained education             learning system designed to assist instructors with teaching basic electrical and electronic theory and             Ohm’s Law basics, covering fundamentals using the latest electrical components found in modern             vehicles.           - Consulab Engine Starting Test Traction, which is a bench used for teaching mechanical engine repair            using OEM components that provide students with additional skills in engine diagnosis.            - AC System Trainer with H-block is a complete A/C system with unique features designed to enhance            the instruction of air conditioning physics.           - Double-sided Automotive Lighting Trainer is a totally functional vehicle CAN bus trainer based on a           Honda vehicle platform and includes all operational OEM vehicle systems, such as a functional multiplex            and CAN Bus system, with a total of 11 system modules.           - Consulab Advanced Electronics Moduponent Kit is a versatile, adaptable advanced           electrical/electronic training series that allows student to build complex electronic circuits and provides           instruction covering the use of multimeter and other testing equipment.  The need for skilled automotive technicians and mechanics continues to grow and will exceed 60,000 nationally by 2032 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Texas’ Coastal Bend region shows high demand among employers to fill local positions in part due to a growing population generating increased vehicle registrations, along with a growing number of experienced technicians retiring from the field. DMC’s Automotive Applied Technology Program not only trains college-age students but also currently partners with three ISDs in CTE training––Corpus Christi (Miller High School), Calallen and Gregory-Portland––to fill the area’s employment gap in this field. The collaboration to prepare these future technicians is part of the college’s Dual Enrollment Program through Memorandums of Agreement. Students earn college credits toward the Suspension, Driveline, Brake Specialist Level I Certificate, which are stackable credentials that allow them to proceed with earning the Automotive Applied Technology Program’s Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. For employers, finding automotive repair and maintenance technicians with the right skill sets is a growing challenge as vehicle complexity increases. The equipment purchased using the JET grant has allowed the college to upgrade its program’s training lab to meet the highest standards and produce well-trained technicians that industry employers seek for repairs and maintenance among today’s vehicles. Recently, the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation awarded its nationally recognized Program Training Accreditation to DMC’s Automotive Applied Technology Program. Students who earn their ASE certification are considered prime candidates for hire in the automotive repair industry. The college’s Automotive Applied Technology Program offers Level I and II Certificates in addition to the AAS degree. Curriculum and hands-on lab skills training provide for entry-level employment and prepares students for Automotive Service Technology entry-level ASE certifications.  More details about the college’s Automotive Applied Technology Program are available online at www.delmar.edu/degrees/automotive-applied-technology/index.html. View highlights of speakers' remarks below:

Article by College Relations Office Tuesday, Aug. 12, 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 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 at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regular-board-meeting-packet-8-12-25.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 If you missed it, don’t worry! Even though Del Mar College (DMC) held its last One Stop Saturday on Aug. 2 with nearly 650 participants completing the admissions process, speaking with advisors and financial aid staff and registering for Fall 2025 credit courses, other opportunities are still available throughout August to “take care of business.” Fall credit courses begin Monday, Aug. 25. Classes include 8-, 12-, 15- and 16-week sessions that provide students with scheduling options to fit into busy work, family and life schedules. Further opportunities to register for DMC’s fall semester include: • Currently through Monday, Aug. 18: ongoing Online and On-Campus Registration and Advising at Student Enrollment Centers and academic department offices during normal business hours. • Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 19-20: Online and On-Campus Registration with extended facility hours from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuition and fees payment is due by 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20. On-Campus Registration and Admissions assistance (online directions and campus maps) is available on all three DMC campuses at the following facilities: • Heritage Campus – Harvin Student Center, 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404) • Windward Campus – Coleman Center, 4101 Old Brownsville Rd. (78405) • Oso Creek Campus – Main Center Building, 7002 Yorktown Blvd. (78414) A final Late Registration Saturday is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Harvin Student Center on the Heritage Campus. Tuition and fees payment is due by 6 p.m. Aug. 25. “Just as we conducted our last One Stop Saturday, DMC faculty and staff will assist current and potential Vikings with any eleventh-hour needs they have to get started the following Monday as the semester begins,” noted Martinez of the Late Registration opportunity. “We’re excited and ready to begin this next academic year and to welcome everyone beginning the next path to reaching their goals and owning their dreams by attending Del Mar College.” Both current and prospective students can view course offerings, which are frequently updated throughout the registration process. Additionally, students can use WebDMC to check their financial aid status, review their degree plan and find other information. Current students also need to contact the department of their declared major for specific instructions (access the Academic Advisor Directory). Prospective students needing to complete their admissions file can get more information about the process on the Admissions web page or contact the DMC Student Enrollment Center. To learn more about registration opportunities, payment deadlines and other pertinent information, visit www.delmar.edu/registration or contact the DMC Student Enrollment Center at 361-698-1290 or enroll@delmar.edu  about fall registration. View visual highlights of the Aug. 2 One Stop Saturday by clicking on the video below:

Article by Melinda Eddleman On July 24, De Mar College (DMC) Automotive Applied Technology majors demonstrated why the college recently received the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation’s Training Program Accreditation. The accreditation runs through May 1, 2030. Enrolled in the Engine Repair and Automotive Engine Performance Analysis class this summer, the 10 students showed off their hands-on skills using Consulab trainers to practice diagnostics system testing in a controlled lab setting as well as applied other skills on actual fleet vehicles for assessment to ensure they can perform real-world automotive service and repair tasks that meet ASE standards. The need for skilled automotive technicians and mechanics continues to grow and will exceed 60,000 nationally by 2032 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Locally, the Coastal Bend region shows high demand among employers to fill these positions in part due to a growing population generating increased vehicle registrations, along with a growing number of experienced technicians retiring from the field, according to Paul Creacy, Del Mar College (DMC) Interim Chair of the Architecture, Aviation and Automotive Department. ASE accreditation acknowledges that a training program meets industry-recognized standards for quality and prepares students for successful careers in the automotive service field. The accreditation ensures students’ training aligns with the skills needed for ASE certification testing. In a letter from the ASE Education Foundation, President Mike Coley stated, “We compliment you for attaining the level of excellence recognized by the ASE Education Foundation. Both the educational and automotive communities should be proud of your commitment to [offering a] quality automotive training program.” The foundation also sent a plaque. “Employers recognize ASE accreditation as a mark of quality and consistency, increasing the employability and earning potential of our graduates,” said Creacy. “It confirms that our students are trained on up-to-date vehicles, technologies and diagnostics and have been taught by instructors with real-world expertise.” Creacy also noted, “Our students are employed across a wide range of dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet services and government agencies.” Examples include AutoNation, General Motors, Hicks Automotive and Mike Shaw dealerships; the City of Corpus Christi’s Fleet Services; the Nueces County Maintenance Department and the Corpus Christi Independent School District’s Transportation Department, among others. To become ASE certified, individuals must meet certain qualifications and pass a series of online tests, including those covering brakes, steering/suspension, engine repair, electrical systems, heating/air conditioning and automatic transmissions. The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE for short, conducts testing at Prometric Testing Centers across the country in a controlled environment with a certified proctor, and ASE certification is directly awarded to applicants who successfully complete each test. The Corpus Christi Prometric Testing Center is located at 6001 S. Staples. DMC Automotive Instructor Duane Beadle said, “We encourage our students to take exams at the appropriate time as they complete relevant courses.” On average, the DMC Automotive Applied Technology Program serves 20 to 30 students per semester with approximately 5 to 10 graduating annually, earning either Level 1 or 2 Certificates or their Associate of Applied Science degree. Creacy says these numbers are steadily increasing as the program continues to expand its dual credit offerings to high school students and engages in outreach and recruiting events at their schools. In the Corpus Christi area, the typical starting pay for entry-level automotive technicians is between $16 and $20 per hour. Experienced ASE certified technicians earn $25 to $35-plus per hour depending on their specialization.  To become an ASE accredited program, the process is rigorous and comprehensive. Over several months, DMC faculty and staff compiled and submitted documentation covering the following: Curriculum alignment with ASE standards, Instructor credentials and ASE certifications, Advisory committee feedback and industry input, Facility, tool and equipment inventory, Student learning outcomes and job placement rates, and Classroom safety procedures and lab practices. Additionally, an on-site evaluation was conducted by a team of industry professionals who verified that the program met national benchmarks in all required areas. To learn more about DMC’s Automotive Applied Technology Program, learn more by visiting www.delmar.edu/degrees/automotive-applied-technology/index.html or contacting the Architecture, Aviation and Automotive Department at 361-698-1725 or pcreacy@delmar.edu. Fall 2025 registration is currently underway with classes beginning Monday, Aug. 25. Learn more by visiting www.delmar.edu/registration or contacting the DMC Student Enrollment Center at 361-698-1290 or enroll@delmar.edu.