DMC’s TexPREP Summer Camp Empowers Underserved, Potential First-generation College Students for STEM Careers
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2024
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Europe/Amsterdam
College-minded campers demonstrated competencies during Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program’s 2024 Media Day on July 17; program supported by 12-year Lead Sponsor Flint Hills Resources
Article by DMC College Relations and Flint Hills Resources
Symbolic logic, problem solving, physics and linear coding…those are subjects you don’t normally think sixth and seventh graders would spend time covering during the first part of their summer break. In fact, those subjects sound more like what upper-level high school or college students would take during summer semester courses. But for 55 area middle school youth, that’s exactly how they’ve spent the past six weeks as participants with the Del Mar College (DMC) Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program or TexPREP.
Architecture Designs_TexPREP Media Day 2024
Del Mar College’s (Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) utilizes project-based learning that progresses as students continue their participation each summer. Members of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects teach and mentor second-year students as they build models while learning the principles behind designing such wonders. During TexPREP Media Day 2024, held July 17 the models were judged as part of three competitions held to wrap up the six-week summer camp targeting underserved, first-generational youth who demonstrated a strong aptitude in mathematics. Fifty-five sixth and seventh graders participated after completing the highly competitive application process. (Credit: DMC Media Relations)
TexPREP 2024_Robots
During Media Day on July 17, middle school students attending the 2024 Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) at Del Mar College engaged in competitions to demonstrate their acumen in skills learned during the six-week camp focused on expanding their foundation in mathematics and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) areas. Among the competitions were robot races that allowed TexPREP campers to demonstrate their design and coding skills using kits supported by a donation eight years ago by Flint Hills Resources, the program’s lead sponsor for the past 12 years. (Credit: DMC Media Relations)
Bridges Constructed of Straws and Hot Glue_TexPREP 2024 Media Day
Del Mar College held its 2024 Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) Media Day on July 17 to showcase the skills and knowledge that 55 area sixth and seventh graders developed over the past six weeks. The event includes three types of competition, including bridge building techniques that use plastic drinking straws and hot glue to test their strength under pressure. The annual summer camp is free and offered through a competitive application process to students demonstrating strong academic aptitude, especially in mathematics. (Credit: DMC Media Relations)
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Del Mar College’s program is designed for motivated, high achieving students with ‘A’ averages in all of their core courses and the desire to work with new ideas. Our philosophy is to prepare these students to excel while attending college, not to just get into college. Historically, students who have completed the College’s TexPREP camp earn at least a bachelor’s degree, and several of our past participants have eventually earned graduate degrees.
James Shollenberger, TexPREP Co-director and DMC Professor of Mathematics
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FHR_Stack_Color
TexPREP is a statewide initiative that began in 1979 at The University of Texas at San Antonio to encourage middle school- through early high school-age students to pursue studies and careers in fields related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Del Mar College introduced TexPREP to its summer youth programming in 2000.
Additionally, the program’s longevity has been made possible by the 12-year lead sponsorship from Flint Hills Resources (FHR) with overall donations reaching approximately $225,000.
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Our long-standing partnership with Del Mar College is a testament to our shared vision and impact we’ve been able to make on students throughout the years, and it’s a privilege to watch young people in our community flourish with TexPREP. We continue to be committed to empowering a new generation of leaders and supporting STEM education in Corpus Christi.
Andy Saenz, Public Affairs Director with Flint Hills Resources
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Andy Saenz_Flint Hills Resources Public Affairs Direct0r_TexPREP Media Day 2024_Credit FHR
During the Del Mar College Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program’s Media Day on July 17, Public Affairs Director for Flint Hills Resources Andy Saenz addressed the 55 sixth and seventh graders who attended the six-week camp to expand their skills and knowledge in mathematics and other STEM-focused areas to build a foundation for college and careers in the future. Flint Hills Resources has served as the lead sponsor for DMC’s program for the past 12 years and has donated approximately $225,000 to support TexPREP, which is offered free to participants each year. (Credit: Flint Hills Resources)
Andy Saenz_Public Affairs Director_Flint Hills Resources_TexPREP Media Day 2024_Credit DMC
During the Del Mar College Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program’s Media Day on July 17, Public Affairs Director for Flint Hills Resources Andy Saenz addressed the 55 sixth and seventh graders who attended the six-week camp to expand their skills and knowledge in mathematics and other STEM-focused areas to build a foundation for college and careers in the future. Flint Hills Resources has served as the lead sponsor for DMC’s program for the past 12 years and has donated approximately $225,000 to support TexPREP, which is offered free to participants each year. (Credit: DMC Media Relations)
Prepping the Robot_TexPREP Media Day 2024_Credit Flint Hills Resources
Two female campers, who participated during Del Mar College’s 2024 six-week summer Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP), prepare their robot for the race competition held during Media Day on July 17. The free camp offers sixth and seventh graders the opportunity to expand their foundation in mathematics and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) areas once accepted through a competitive application process for college-minded and underrepresented youth with an aptitude for the sciences. The program is largely supported by lead sponsor Flint Hills Resources, who over the past 12 years has donated approximately $225,000 to keep the summer program at Del Mar College running. (Credit: Flint Hills Resources)
On Your Mark_TexPREP Media Day 2024 Robot Race_Credit Flint Hills Resources
2024 Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program participants watch as one of the programmed robots makes its way through the obstacle course during Del Mar College’s Media Day on July 17 at the Oso Creek Campus. This summer 55 sixth and seventh graders spent six weeks attending the project-based learning experience that progresses as students continue their participation each summer. Robotics introduce campers to mechanical engineering and computer programming and vehicle model building to electrical engineering and aerodynamics. (Credit: Flint Hills Resources)
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.
Latest DMC News
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- It’s that time, again! Del Mar College Dental Hygiene Program offering clinical services “at no cost” this fall semesterArticle by Melinda Eddleman You’ve been putting off getting your teeth cleaned for quite some time … maybe because the cost of everything else is making it difficult to stretch your budget or maybe because you don’t like going to the dentist. Either way, Del Mar College’s (DMC) Dental Hygiene Program is offering some ways to help Coastal Bend residents smile a little brighter while keeping a little more green in their wallets by offering clinic hours and services at no charge during the fall semester. The Dental Hygiene Clinic offers a variety of services including medical history reviews, blood pressure screenings, intra-oral examinations, dental preliminary assessments, periodontal assessments, dental hygiene education, oral cancer screenings, radiographs (x-rays), fluoride treatments (as needed), selective polishing, conservative periodontal therapy, dental hygiene therapy and dental sealants. Services begin Sept. 9 and run through December, but now is the time to sign up due to an extended commitment from patients receiving student-provided services. The clinic gives Dental Hygiene students the hands-on experience and required hours needed to complete the program. Students performing procedures are under the supervision of program faculty, and patients’ care usually requires more than one visit. Patient selection is based on the educational and clinical requirements of Dental Hygiene students. DMC faculty will determine acceptance of patients after a “qualifying appointment” is conducted. For full details about patient selection, appointments and other pertinent information, visit the clinic web page at www.delmar.edu/offices/dental-clinic/index.html. The facility is located in Room 125 of Health Sciences Building 1 on Del Mar College’s Windward Campus at 4101 Old Brownsville Road (78405). Access directions and the online campus map. Operational hours are Mondays and Tuesdays 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. as well as Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Appointments are required. To schedule a “qualifying appointment,” call 361-698-2854 or email dentalclinic@delmar.edu. Sepulveda noted, “DMC’s Dental Programs have trained professionals for more than a century, and our graduates have staffed dentists’ offices and clinics all over the region. I’m confident that you can walk into any dental care office today and meet a dental care professional who trained at Del Mar College.”
- DMC Board of Regents holding public hearings and called meeting on Aug. 27 at College’s Center for Economic DevelopmentArticle by DMC College Relations Office The Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold budget and tax rate public hearings and a called meeting beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27, in Room 106 of the College’s Center for Economic Development located at 3209 S. Staples. (Get online directions and map.) The public hearings and called meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the hearings and called meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 11:25 a.m., 11:55 a.m. and 12:25 p.m., respectively. The public hearings and called meeting are scheduled as follows: • 11:30 a.m.: Budget Public Hearing • Noon: Tax Rate Public Hearing • 12:30 p.m.: Called Meeting Access to the Aug. 27 Agenda Notices for the budget and tax rate hearings and the called meeting are provided online using the following links: • Budget Hearing: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/ph-budget-packet-8-27-24.pdf • Tax Rate Hearing: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/ph-tax-rate-packet-8-27-24.pdf • Called Meeting: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/called-meeting-packet-8-27-24.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 COVID-19 guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.
- Del Mar College Biology Professor Bob Long named 2024 recipient of Dr. Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching ExcellenceArticle by Richrd Guerrero Del Mar College (DMC) Biology Professor Bob Long remembers the day he had a heart attack with great clarity. He recalls that while it was minor, he experienced chest pain. Beyond his own health concerns, Long says what he remembers most about that experience is the extended team who helped that day in the hospital. Long quipped, “Who would think that having a heart attack would be your fondest memory? But it’s one of my fondest memories at Del Mar – that the people who took care of me were the people I trained.” Long was announced as the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching Excellence during Fall 2024 Convocation, the annual all-campus meeting for faculty and staff that traditionally kicks off the new academic year. He is the 22nd recipient of the prized faculty award named after the late Dean Emeritus of Arts and Science and English Professor Dr. Aileen Creighton. Creighton’s lengthy tenure – 42 years in total beginning in 1939 – along with her dedication to students and higher education serve as the benchmark for faculty who aspire to receive the nominated award. A Corpus Christi native, Long graduated from Mary Carroll High School with Honors in 1988. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 1992. He completed a Master of Science in Biology degree with an emphasis in Neurobiology two years later as well as worked toward a doctoral degree before a family tragedy forced him to return home. After a short stint in sales, he discovered the Surgical Technology program at Del Mar College and after graduation, Long worked as a surgical technician and as a first assistant to an orthopedic surgeon. In 1999, Long joined the faculty at DMC as an instructor and began to make an impact on the students who signed up for the Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II classes. His unique teaching style proved immensely successful and made his classes among the most in-demand on campus. In a support letter for Long’s Creighton Award nomination, one alumna recounts how he helped her overcome her initial self-doubts about her ability to pass the course. “Mr. Long helped me see the beauty in challenges, and how amazing it feels when you finally overcome them,” she wrote. “More than just teaching me anatomy and physiology, he taught me how to believe in myself and to know that I could do anything I put my mind to.” A nursing alumnus noted in his support letter that Long’s sense of empathy coupled with his unique approach to teaching motivated him to rise to the occasion and overcome the obstacles before him. “Professor Long employs innovative teaching methods in his classroom that cater to diverse learning styles. He integrates real-world applications into his lessons, ensuring that the material is understood and appreciated for its relevance to our future careers,” he wrote, adding: “His passion for the subject matter is contagious, making even the most challenging topics engaging and accessible.” His colleagues can also attest to the impact Long has had on his students. Science Advisor Cyrus Baker noted in his support letter that Long’s impact as a professor can be observed in the popularity of his classes. Surgical Technology Program Director Elda Garza says Long can differentiate education in a way where his students feel challenged yet supported. “His humble nature provides an environment of student engagement and motivation while delivering high-quality instruction,” Garza wrote. “His courses fill to maximum capacity on the first day of open enrollment; I do not know of any other instructor who is so sought after by students.” Long estimates he’s had over 15,000 students go through his courses, which include Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology and Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology, among others. He earned tenure when he was promoted to Assistant Professor of Biology in 2005; three years later, he was promoted to Associate Professor of Biology. In 2016, he was promoted to his current position – Professor of Biology. Long has been named the Student Government Association Teacher of the Year for the Heritage Campus six times beginning in 2008 and most recently in 2019. Long notes that he is able to draw from both his science background as well as his experience in the Surgical Technology program to provide a unique approach to teaching. “I have an intimate knowledge of what it takes on an academic, emotional and psychological level to help my students succeed in my class, future classes and in the professional careers,” Long wrote in his nomination letter. At convocation, Long’s emotions were readily apparent during his address. “For many of our students, Del Mar is the first opportunity to achieve upward mobility. But for some of our students, it’s their last best hope,” Long told the audience. “And that drives me more than anything – knowing that our students are dependent upon us to come through and provide a quality education so that they can change their family’s history and trajectory.”
- Association of Community College Trustees announces regional awardees, names DMC’s Dr. Bryan Edward Stone as 2024 Western Region Faculty Member Award recipient (UPDATE: VIDEO Added)Article by Melinda Eddleman and Michael Bratten (This article includes summarization of copy used in the nomination packet submitted to ACCT and prepared by Michael Bratten.) Word reached Del Mar College (DMC) officials the week of Aug. 8. And, during today’s annual Fall Convocation, DMC administrators announced that Dr. Bryan Edward Stone, History Professor with the College’s Social Sciences Department, was selected as the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) 2024 Western Region Faculty Member Award recipient. Dr. Stone was nominated for the award through the Del Mar College Board of Regents and the DMC Office of the President and recognized today by Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jonda Halcomb in front of colleagues and College employees as part of Fall 2024 Convocation. ACCT’s regional awards acknowledge the contributions that community college trustees, equity programs, chief executive officers, faculty members and professional board staff members provide to meet the needs of the communities they serve. The awards program is sponsored by Edamerica, one of ACCT’s Corporate Council members, and regional awardees will now move on to compete for the national award in their respective categories. Dr. Stone will compete for the 2024 William H. Meardy Faculty Member Award in October against other regional awardees from Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina and Washington. The recipient will be announced Oct. 25 during the Annual ACCT Awards Gala in conjunction with the association’s 2024 Leadership Congress in Seattle, WA. Among criteria ACCT considered in selecting regional Faculty Member Award recipients were: • demonstrated excellence in teaching, • innovative program development, • technical or special program committee service work impacting community colleges on a local, state or national level, • leadership in problem-solving community college challenges, • affiliation with state or national associations supporting post-secondary education through leadership, and • awards recognizing nominees’ leadership. Dr. Stone’s nomination to meet these criteria is summarized as follows: The History Professor imparts on his students a style of learning that is simultaneously exciting, complex, thought-provoking and deeply relevant with students walking out of class ready to engage in pressing issues with the skill set to not only excel in further history coursework but also to succeed outside the educational environment. As a thoughtful, insightful and highly successful educator, Dr. Stone’s in-person and online United States History courses are always in great demand and fill as soon as they open for registration. Recognized by both students and peers for his efforts, Dr. Stone was awarded the Dr. Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching Excellence in 2019, the highest teaching honor at Del Mar College. In 2021, he was voted Teacher of the Year by his students; and this May, he received the prestigious statewide Piper Professor Award from the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation, an invitation-only nomination process. Dr. Stone consistently distinguishes himself among his students as a cut above and is not content to design a course once and allow his material or methods to atrophy. He constantly updates his teaching and evolution as an educator. And even when the COVID-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of higher education and teaching, Dr. Stone, who had never intended to teach online, rose to the challenge and created one of the most well-designed, appealing, organized and intuitive course shells at Del Mar College. As the first among DMC History faculty to adopt an Open Educational Resources (OER) textbook, his implementation of the digital resource made life easier –– and college more affordable –– for his students who no longer had to purchase printed versions from publishers. Dr. Stone’s leadership in this small but important initiative influenced others in the College’s History Program to follow in the same direction. Dr. Stone’s commitment to quality education does not stop at the classroom. He has supported history education in the community through numerous presentations, including at Congregation Beth Israel and through his service on the Corpus Christi Landmark Commission. He also has presented his research at numerous conferences, symposia and talks across the state, bringing attention to historical issues that are particularly relevant to Corpus Christi and South Texas. Dr. Stone’s commitment to leadership and solving challenges at the College has been extensive, including but not limited to directing the History Program and chairing both the DMC Curriculum Committee and Faculty Council. He recently chaired the History Program’s Five-Year Review Committee, an important and very labor-intensive project. Besides teaching duties consisting of 15 credit hours of U.S. History class assignments each semester, Dr. Stone also advises History and Social Science degree students. Dr. Stone’s work on these vital committees has helped establish and enhance institutional policies directly related to the faculty constituency and academic standards. Dr. Stone was among the College’s first History faculty to think seriously, read broadly about and develop a course philosophy related to the use of generative artificial intelligence in student work. Rather than avoid the issue of artificial intelligence or respond punitively to its use, he chose to confront this technology and develop ways to make it useful for students. Dr. Stone has been a member and supporter for nearly 20 years of the Texas Community College Teachers Association and also has been a member of the DMC’s branch of the American Association of University Professors for many years. Additionally, Dr. Stone received in 2013 a research grant from the Texas Jewish Historical Society and in 2008 and 2013 a project completion grant from the Southern Jewish Historical Society. In addition to receiving the Piper Professor Award and Creighton Award, the College’s student body elected Dr. Stone as the 2021 Teacher of the Year Award recipient for the Heritage Campus, adding to many previous credits he already received. Additionally, Dr. Stone served as the honorary keynote address speaker during the 2023 Southern Jewish Historical Society’s Annual Conference, and he was the Southern Jewish Historical Society Book Prize winner in 2011. The Association of Community College Trustees is a nonprofit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,000 community, technical and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. For more information about ACCT, go to www.acct.org. UPDATE: Watch the video clip with Vice President and Chief Academic Office Dr. Jonda Halcomb announcing Dr. Stone's receipt of both the Piper Professor Award and the ACCT Western Region Faculty Member Award:
- DMC Board of Regents holding regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 13Article by DMC College Relations Office On Tuesday, Aug. 13, 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/agenda-packet-8-13-24.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 COVID-19 guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.
