Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr.  It’s one thing to receive recognition for your research project at the state level, which is a major accomplishment. But going the distance in the nation’s capital and receiving an award in front of representatives from more than 240 community colleges is definitely the next level. Del Mar College students Megan O’Shaughnessy and Kristen Waddell, both Biology and Biotechnology majors, recently experienced the honor. Led by DMC Natural Sciences Department faculty member and mentor Dr. Daiyuan “Daisy” Zhang, Professor of Biotechnology, and accompanied by Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jonda Halcomb, the Viking pair attended the 32nd National Advanced Technical Education (ATE) Principal Investigators’ Conference held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 29-31. During the conference, O’Shaughnessy presented her research poster examining whether the extracellular vesicles (EVs) found in the blood of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and the Virgina opossum could protect these animals from rattlesnake venom. Her results show that the EVs from the snake and the opossum did weaken the venom, making it less able to break down fibrinogen, which helps blood clot, and gelatin, which is like the material found in tissues. O’Shaughnessy, who graduated from Kingwood High School and the Texas Connections Academy in 2022, said her favorite experience during the trip was presenting her research poster to a range of professionals working in STEM fields. “Being able to break down my poster to people at different levels definitely increased my confidence in my knowledge of my project and made me a better presenter,” O’Shaughnessy said. “Del Mar College has provided me with so many opportunities and experiences that have made a big difference on my confidence as a student.” Waddell’s poster focused on a very local and critical area of concern––environmental pollution in Baffin Bay. Baffin Bay and the creeks that flow into it are used for ranching, farming, fishing, bird-watching and other outdoor activities.  But some of these waters have a problem. They contain too much fecal bacteria, which can come from humans or animals, which pollutes the environment.  Scientists are already studying where this pollution comes from—cows, pigs, humans and birds. And in this project, researchers have added another tool to help track pollutants: a special gene called Class 1 Integron-Integrase gene, or intI1. This gene is important because it is often found in bacteria that carry antibiotic resistance that can be harmful. Including Waddell, researchers collected 142 water samples from Baffin Bay and three nearby creeks. The gene was present in every test site with some places having more than others. San Fernando Creek had the most, followed by Los Olmos Creek, Petronila Creek and then the bay. The amount of the intI1 gene also increased when there were more signs of poop from humans, cows and pigs. This means the intI1 gene is a good clue for spotting pollution caused by people and their activities. Adding this gene to water-testing studies will help scientists better understand how fecal pollution and antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread in the environment. Waddell, who graduated from Veterans Memorial High School in 2023, said she especially enjoyed having a meaningful conversation with a Florida researcher who was interested in the genetics side of her research. “I loved hearing how his lab approached the same techniques I was using as they were incredibly innovative and inventive,” Waddell said. “This conversation was inspirational, and I saw the significance of continuing research in this area.” Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President and CEO of co-sponsor American Association of Community Colleges, noted that 800 National Science Foundation grantees attended the conference and remarked that the conference provided students and faculty with remarkable opportunities to share their work and learn from others. “Helping students see pathways from learning to application in the workplace builds the pipeline of skilled workers in our economy,” Pollard said, adding: “Since economic stability drives further innovation in businesses, these are investments in our shared futures.” For O’Shaughnessy and Waddell, attending this year’s ATE Principal Investigators’ Conference is one step among many toward bringing their own innovation to STEM professions that will benefit us all.

Article by Melinda Eddleman The program keeps growing. Data shows that credit student participation in Del Mar College’s Dual Enrollment Program has grown nearly 40 percent from fall 2020 to this semester, increasing from 2,628 to 3,671 Coastal Bend high school students who are well on their way to a brighter future through access to higher education. In fact, regional Dual Enrollment students make up over 31 percent of the college’s fall 2025 credit enrollment, which totals 11,700 students overall (preliminary enrollment*). Additionally, another 1,390 high school students are taking Continuing Education courses leading to Marketable Skills Awards or licensure in certain offerings. * The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will certify figures this month for final fall 2025 enrollment figure, which is subject to change from today’s reporting. Currently, 51 independent school districts (ISDs), parochial schools and charter schools combined, along with home schooled students, participate with the Dual Enrollment Program. Last year, the number was 43. On Nov. 18, DMC officials, superintendents from partnering Coastal Bend ISDs and other guests met for the second annual Superintendent Symposium scheduled at the Oso Creek Campus to cover the progress the college’s Dual Enrollment Program has achieved over the past year and what the next steps will be. The symposium targeted the impact the Dual Enrollment Program provides in preparing students for either additional workforce training or transferability to the university level and how Del Mar will continue progressing forward through ISD partnerships to make higher education attainable for Coastal Bend high school students. Presenters, including students and faculty, highlighted the Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Program and “next steps” as college officials prepare for another cohort in fall 2026. Additionally, Flour Bluff ISD Superintendent Chris Steinbruck provided an address focused on his district’s partnership with the college and other area entities to prepare students for regional high demand job opportunities. Listen to KEDT Radio’s Nov. 19 broadcast of interviews with Dr. Escamilla and Steinbruck conducted during the symposium: The Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Program focuses on transitioning not only graduating seniors who participated in the college’s Dual Enrollment Program but also graduating seniors who may not have taken DMC credit courses while in high school. Data shows that 232 students who were Dual Enrollment seniors this past year enrolled in the program while 662 spring 2025 high school graduates without college credits enrolled. Together they make up nearly 50 percent of this fall’s Freedom to Dream cohort. DMC’s Dual Enrollment Program offers students in the ninth through twelfth grades attending high schools that partner with the college the opportunity to take courses whether they’re through Continuing Education programs to earn industry credentials or Marketable Skills Awards in healthcare, construction, welding or process technology or through the college’s academic programs for workforce preparation with Level I and II Certificates or associate’s degrees or for core course completion for university transfer. In fall 2023, the college rolled out the Dual Credit Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) Program with funding administered through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. A part of House Bill 8 (HB 8), the Dual Credit FAST Program provides greater accessibility to higher education at no cost for students defined as educationally disadvantaged, specifically those who qualified for free or reduced-priced lunch during any of the four school years prior to enrolling in an eligible dual credit course. Del Mar College chose to expand “no cost” tuition and fees to all high school students, including those considered non-qualifying FAST dual credit students who are taking eligible credit and Continuing Education courses and attending one of the partnering ISDs, parochial schools or charter schools in the region. Dual Enrollment allows high school students to start earning college and industry-specific credentials in one of nearly 110 DMC certificate and degree programs among eight career pathways, including: – Architecture, Aviation and Automotive – Business Administration and Entrepreneurship – Communication, Fine Arts and Social Sciences – Health Sciences – Industrial Technology – Kinesiology and Education – Public Service – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics   Dr. Rivera said that it’s never too early to introduce youth to the concept of attending college and notes that DMC began familiarizing middle school-age students, specifically eighth graders, and their parents with the college’s Dual Enrollment Program to encourage participation when they reach high school.  “We’re student-centric and a leading force in building the Coastal Bend’s workforce for today and in the future,” he noted. “With new initiatives in place and more to come, we’re ensuring students have choices to earn the credentials they need for successful academic and career pursuits that impact their own lives and everyone living in the Coastal Bend region.” The Superintendent Symposium concluded with a video produced onsite featuring a few of the area’s superintendents providing quick remarks about what is the most exciting achievement occurring in their district now, along with a special message from retired West Oso ISD Superintendent and current DMC’s Superintendent in Residence Conrado Garcia, who emceed the event: