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Del Mar College Announces Dr. Robert H. Vela, Jr. as Keynote Speaker for Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremony Scheduled Dec. 13 (Updated: Video)

Mon, Dec 9, 2024

09

December

2024

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16:49 PM

Europe/Amsterdam

Texas A&M University-Kingsville President to address 526 “prospective” graduates attending ceremony at American Bank Center; 784 total prospective graduates earning 996 occupational skills awards, certificates, associate’s degrees and bachelor's d combined

Article by DMC College Relations
(Updated Dec. 12, 2024: graduate and award figures)
(Updated Dec. 18, 2024: Dr. Vela's commencement address video)

Texas A&M University-Kingsville President Dr. Robert H. Vela, Jr

Texas A&M University-Kingsville President Dr. Robert H. Vela, Jr

But, before DMC’s prospective graduates take the spotlight, Texas A&M University-Kingsville President Dr. Robert H. Vela, Jr. will provide the keynote address.

Dr. Vela is the university’s 22nd President and began serving in that role on June, 15, 2022. His career has been dedicated to promoting access and opportunity to higher education across the state.

 Previously, Dr. Vela served as President of San Antonio College, one of the largest community colleges in the nation, from 2014 to June 2022. Under his collaborative leadership, he developed a strategic plan that advanced the Alamo Community College District’s goal of transforming San Antonio College into the best community college in the United States. In 2021, the college earned the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, which is the nation’s premier recognition of achievement and performance among America’s community colleges.

Dr. Vela has also served in leadership roles at San Jacinto College and Coastal Bend College.

He launched his career in higher education at A&M-Kingsville in 1997, serving in various roles that included Upward Bound Program Coordinator and Director of the Teacher Development Center.

In 2021, Dr. Vela joined the Board of Directors of Excelencia in Education, an organization accelerating Latino student success in higher education to address the U.S. economy’s need for a highly educated workforce and civic leadership.

As a nationally recognized leader in higher education, Dr. Vela has also served as the President of the National Community College Hispanic Council and on the American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors. Additionally, his credits include receiving the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award in 2018.

Dr. Vela has taught courses in higher education administration and leadership, educational leadership and counseling throughout his 20 years in higher education.

 A native of Alice, Texas, he earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from A&M-Kingsville, and in 2015, Dr. Vela received the Javelina Distinguished Alumni Award.

Watch Dr. Vela's commencement address given on Friday, Dec. 13: 

About Del Mar College

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.

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