DMC Veterans Services receives TVC “Gold” Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award, U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud’s office presents Congressional acknowledgement during Board of Regents regular October meeting
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October
2025
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17:04 PM
Europe/Amsterdam
College’s commitment to serving veteran students and families recognized among 33 public institutions by Texas Veterans Commission and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in early September
Article by Melinda Eddleman
VEERA Gold Award Logo
They served our country, and now Del Mar College (DMC) is honored to serve them. Acknowledgement of DMC and its Veterans Services staff’s commitment to veteran students and family members who attend the college came as a 2025 “Gold” Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) in early September and announced by Gov. Greg Abbott (online release).
The college is one of 33 two- and four-year public higher education institutions to receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze award based on criteria set forth by the TVC and outlined in the Governor’s release. This year’s award is the second for DMC, receiving a Bronze Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award in 2022.
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Accessing higher education is an important next step for Del Mar College’s veteran students and their beneficiaries, so Veterans Services’ receiving a Gold Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award is an incredible acknowledgement of the support that our office provides everyone who walks through our doors to begin their new journey,.
Dr. Jennifer Armentrout, Sergeant Major, USMC (ret) and DMC Veterans Services Director
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Veterans Services Recognition_2025 Gold TVC Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award Recipient
Del Mar College Dean of Student Engagement and Retention Rita Hernandez (at the podium) introduce and recognizes DMC Veterans Services staff and representatives from U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud’s district office during the Oct. 14 Board of Regents regular meeting. Veterans Services received a 2025 “Gold” Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award from the Texas Veterans Commission with Rep. Cloud and others acknowledging the accomplishment with a Congressional Recognition. Along with Veterans Services staff, in the foreground is veteran student Sergio SanMiguel, former U.S. Army Specialist and President of the DMC Chapter of the Student Veterans Association. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
Veterans Services Staff and Rep Cloud Office Reps
During the Del Mar College Board of Regents Oct. 14 regular meeting, representatives from U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud’s district office presented a Congressional Recognition to DMC Veterans Services staff for receiving a “Gold” 2025 Texas Veterans Commission Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award for the staff’s commitment and support of the college’s veteran students. Pictured for a group photo from left to right are DMC Director of Veterans Services Dr. Jennifer Armentrout, Sergeant Major United States Marine Corps (ret.); Carrie Moore, Field Representative from U.S. Rep. Cloud’s district office; DMC Veterans Affairs Specialist Christopher Arcega, U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer (ret.); DMC Daniel Esparza, former U.S. Army Private First Class; Scott Bauer, District Director with U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud’s office; DMC Veterans Affairs Assistant Robin Romero, U.S. Army spouse; DMC Veterans Specialist Nanette Ayala and DMC Veterans Affairs Assistant Matthew Antonetz, former U.S. Marine Corps Corporal. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
A Higher Purporse_Supporting DMC Student Veterans_TVC Award
Using one of the tables in the Veterans Services Resource Center located in the Harvin Student Center on Del Mar College’s Heritage Campus, Director Dr. Jennifer Armentrout (left), Sergeant Major USMC (ret.) leads a meeting with staff members Veterans Affairs Specialist Christopher Arcega, U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer (ret.); Veterans Affairs Assistant I Daniel Esparza, former U.S. Army Private First Class; and Administrative Assistant and U.S. Army spouse Robin Romero. These staff members are part of the overall Veterans Services team who serve the college’s student veterans and their dependents through commitment and support to ensure their journey in higher education is successful. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
Here to Serve_Veterans Services_Robin Romero and Jennifer Armentrout
Veterans Services Office Administrative Assistant Robin Romero (left) helps student veterans and their dependents connect with members of Del Mar College’s Veterans Affairs team led by Dr. Jennifer Armentrout, Sergeant Major USMC (ret.), who is Director of Veterans Services. DMC provides Veterans Services offices and Veterans Resource Centers on all three campuses––Heritage, Windward and Oso Creek––and was recently named among 33 public colleges and universities as a recipient of a 2025 “Gold” Texas Veterans Commission Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award for staff members’ commitment and support of the college’s student veterans. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
Working Together_Resource Center_Veterans Services and TVC Award
Daniel Esparza (seated), a Del Mar College Veterans Affairs Assistant I, works on a project with colleague and DMC Veterans Affairs Specialist Christopher Arcega in the Veterans Resource Center located in the Harvin Student Center on the Heritage Campus. DMC provides Veterans Services offices and centers on all three campuses and was recently named by the Texas Veterans Commission as a 2025 “Gold” Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award recipient for the college’s commitment and support for student veterans’ success as part of their journey in higher education and beyond. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
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Veterans Services staff are very honored to be among those institutions recognized for supporting those who have served our country. Our mission is to ensure they access educational opportunities they’ve earned and succeed in their studies no matter if these students are Veterans, Active Service Members or dependents. We’re here to serve them.
Dr. Jennifer Armentrout, Sergeant Major, USMC (ret) and DMC Veterans Services Director
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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 currently offering clinical services “at no cost”Article 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 currently offering some ways to help Coastal Bend residents smile a little brighter while keeping their wallets a little “greener” by providing clinic hours and services at no charge during the fall 2025 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 are underway and run through early 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.” For full details about patient selection, appointments and other pertinent information, visit the clinic web page at delmar.edu/offices/dental-clinic/index.html. The clinic 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 with appointments required. To schedule a “qualifying appointment,” call 361-698-2854 or email dentalclinic@delmar.edu. Sepulveda noted, “For multiple decades, Del Mar College has prepared dental care professionals who now serve patients across the Coastal Bend. Chances are, when you visit a dental office in our community, you’re being treated by a DMC graduate.”
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- After 43 years of transforming workforce and community partnerships, Del Mar College Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas to retire in January 2026Article by DMC College Relations For more than 40 years, Lenora Keas has helped shape Del Mar College’s growth and strengthen its role as a partner to students, employers, and communities across the Coastal Bend. As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, she has collaborated with faculty, administrators, industry leaders, and community partners to expand opportunities that change lives and move the region forward. Her journey from instructor in 1982 to professor, department chair, vice president, chief financial officer and ultimately executive vice president and chief operating officer is more than a résumé. It is a story of leadership, resilience and vision that has transformed both Del Mar College and the communities it serves. From reimagining academic and workforce programs in collaboration with the Del Mar College Board of Regents, college administration and regional employers to securing multimillion-dollar bonds that reshaped facilities and created the Oso Creek Campus, Keas has continually positioned Del Mar College to meet the evolving needs of students and industry alike. She also helped secure major partner gifts that led to the development of the world-class industrial pilot plant complex on the Windward Campus. In January 2026, Keas will retire as Del Mar College’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, capping a 43-year career defined by persistence, collaboration and impact. Keas’ influence has extended well beyond campus. She has served for nearly 25 years on the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Board, including as Chair and as a member of key executive committees. She has also been a dedicated member of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation and working with industry partners as they came into the region. While she is retiring, Keas will not be stepping away entirely. She will continue to advise and help shepherd key projects for Del Mar College, ensuring their success with the same steady hand that has defined her career. Del Mar College will initiate a search to fill the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer position this fall.
