News

Article by: Melinda Eddleman Who doesn’t like a party? Del Mar College’s (DMC) Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs with the Dental & Imaging Technology Department are holding a celebration and open house on Friday, Oct. 18, and the Coastal Bend community is invited. Both programs are marking their 50th anniversary of training professionals in the dental health field, and the occasion is golden!   Sepulveda added, “We like to think we’re celebrating ‘a century combined’ of training professionals among the dental community.” Since 1969, the Dental Assisting program has graduated more than 700 students and the Dental Hygiene program more than 800.   During the open house, participants can tour the training and services clinic to see the department’s state-of-the-art equipment that prepares students for the workforce. Individuals can learn about free services available to the community each semester as well as attend educational sessions given by second-year Dental Hygiene students, who will cover proper dental care. For anyone thinking about training for one of the dental health fields, faculty can answer questions about becoming a dental assistant or dental hygienist. The Dental Assisting program offers a certificate of completion for the first year and an Associate in Applied Science degree after completing the second year. Dental Hygiene students earn an Associate in Applied Science degree for the two-year program. Both programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The open house runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dental Clinic waiting area and Rooms 124 and 125 (Dental Clinic) in Health Sciences Building #1 on the West Campus at Old Brownsville and Airport Roads. Directions and an online map are available at https://www.delmar.edu/becoming-a-viking/discover/tours/locations.html. For more information about the 50th Anniversary Open House or the College’s Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs, contact the DMC Dental & Imaging Technology Department at 361-698-2858. Individuals can also learn more about both programs by visiting www.delmar.edu.

Article by: Michael Bratten Studying radiology at Del Mar College (DMC) 11 years ago and looking for something to satisfy his passion for science and problem-solving, Carlos Ramos decided to take a chance on a then-fledgling program called Biotechnology. The decision put him on a career path he had never imagined and, last month, resulted in a new accolade: published research scientist. “It feels good to have my first publication. For a scientist, showing the world the results of your research is the pinnacle,” said Ramos, 37, whose research on wound healing is published in Nature Communications, a prestigious scientific journal that covers the natural sciences (https://go.nature.com/2mDZZHv). “Two or three years down the road, this paper might help someone else doing research. That’s what I like…knowing I contributed to the scientific community as a whole.” Ramos, a senior research technician at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, collaborated with eight other scientists on the publication, titled “SOX11 and SOX4 drive the reactivation of an embryonic gene program during murine wound repair.” Their research examines skin-wound healing at the molecular level and genes that play a role in the process. “Our lab discovered two molecular mechanisms, SOX11 and SOX4, that regulate genes and turn damaged skin cells into regenerated, normal skin cells,” Ramos said. “This happens when you get cut and you have a scab, which eventually falls off. The skin growth under that scab is what we’re looking at. These mechanisms are still not well-understood in research.” The first in his family to receive associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, Ramos said scientific research wasn’t always his obvious career path. After graduating from W.B. Ray High School, he would have been satisfied with an average, workaday job. But, he recalled, his sister encouraged him to dream bigger and enroll at DMC. “I found my passion for science in the Biotechnology program,” Ramos said. “I like to solve problems, especially when it comes to diseases and genes and how they link to cancer.” Ramos was among the first cohort of students to graduate from DMC’s Biotechnology program in 2012. He was a standout student who earned an internship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, as well as a lab assistant position under his mentor at Del Mar, Daiyuan “Daisy” Zhang, PhD, associate professor of Biotechnology. “Carlos is exceptionally detail-oriented and patient when it comes to science,” Zhang said. “He enjoys the exploration process. He’s a true scientist."   After Del Mar, Ramos went on to graduate from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a bachelor’s degree in Cell/Molecular Biology. A job offer at Baylor came soon after. His employers at Baylor were impressed by his laboratory skills, Ramos said.   Rewarding careers in biotechnology are attainable for students like Ramos who are motivated and have an interest in science, said John “Rob” Hatherill, PhD, DMC professor of Biology. “We’re seeing more students like Carlos excelling in biotechnology. They have this program right here in their backyard and they’re finding that, if they continue and stay on track, their potential for growth is unlimited. It’s great to see that.” Ramos’ story also has a romantic angle. He and his girlfriend, Tamara Griffiths, met on their first day in the Biotechnology program. They share a love for science, worked together as lab assistants at DMC, and they now live together in Houston. Griffiths is a senior research assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Ramos said. Zhang said as lab assistants, the couple were instrumental in helping her develop and teach a class on cell cultures within the Biotechnology program. Ramos is considering pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in the future, but for the time being, he sees endless possibilities in research. “Biotech and cancer research are big in Houston,” he said. “Our plans are to stay here and do as much as possible in the area of cancer research.”

Article by: Melinda Eddleman In Spanish, “senda” means path. Today, Del Mar College (DMC) officials announced that the College has received a $2.8 million U.S. Department of Education Title V grant that will support the new Project SENDA (Students Engaged in Direct Advising) initiative that’s designed to lead more students down a path to success. The five-year grant began Oct. 1 with DMC receiving $600,000 each year to support the components of the project. Del Mar is one of 31 institutions out of 400 applicants nationwide to receive the Title V grant this year.   President Escamilla also emphasized that the grant will benefit ALL Del Mar students, along with the components of the Project SENDA initiative. As a Hispanic Serving Institution, or HSI, the College is dedicated to student success and serving its Hispanic and low-income students. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of Del Mar’s student population is Hispanic with the federal government defining HSIs as having at least 25 percent among its full-time enrollment. Additionally, 70 percent of the College’s students receive some form of financial aid. The Title V grant is providing funds for the faculty-embedded direct-advising program, Project SENDA, to expand this targeted student population’s attainment of post-secondary degrees through greater persistence, focus and pursuit of studies at the baccalaureate level. What does that mean? Project SENDA will focus on meeting key goals that include reducing completion time, reducing the average number of credits students take toward degree completion and reducing students’ debt.   That path includes supporting an embedded advisor solution and implementing a two-tier faculty advising training and certification process that expands their role of improving student retention, students’ persistence between first- and second-year studies (and beyond) and increased graduation rates. Faculty advisors will have tools to increase students’ success at critical points during their academic careers as part of Project SENDA’s focus on retention. Project SENDA also means acquiring new and improving current tools such as transfer maps, additional articulation agreements with other colleges and universities and enhanced career exploration using cutting-edge technology to provide “virtual career tours” at campus Welcome Centers. Additionally, the College will create a culture of financial literacy, implementing solutions encompassing peer financial coaching and mobile apps for managing consumer credit.Overall, 140 faculty will undertake academic, financial and culturally inclusive advisement approaches to address the needs of Del Mar’s Hispanic and low-income students. Before receiving the Title V grant, the College was already heading down the path toward increased student success through Guided Pathways, a model that explores students’ interests to determine a clear pathway to reach graduation and a career. Del Mar’s current Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, also focuses on improving student advising. Recently approved by the College’s Board of Regents, Del Mar’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, “Aspire. Engage. Achieve.” is centered on student success.   President Escamilla noted, “The Coastal Bend region is experiencing a period of booming economic growth driven by new and expanding industries, and this growth means jobs. The goal of Project SENDA is to do all we can to increase the number of our students who can take advantage of the career opportunities proliferating in this area.” He added, “Isn’t this what Del Mar has been doing already, all this time? Absolutely. But we can do better, and we can do more.” Project SENDA committee members include Beth Lewis, Ph.D., executive vice president and chief academic officer; Rito Silva, Ph.D., vice president for Student Affairs; Kristina Wilson, Ed.D., dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment; Raul Garcia, vice president and chief financial officer; Lenora Keas, vice president of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives; Leticia Wilson, director of Advising Initiatives; and Dale Anderson, Ph.D., assistant professor of speech. Leticia Wilson and Dr. Anderson alsoo serve on the QEP committee with Christine Gottemoller, assistant professor of political science. Watch the full announcement below:    

Article by: Melinda Eddleman After initiating the new Maritime Program this summer, Del Mar College’s (DMC) Workforce Programs and Corporate Services Division will offer their popular five-day Maritime Basic Safety Training course twice this fall. Both offerings are in October with the one-week course starting Oct. 21 and Oct. 28. Additionally and by request from students who took the safety course this summer, Corporate Services has added a two-day eight-hour course, Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties. The course is offered twice and scheduled Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 23-24, and Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 29-30, with class held 4 to 8 p.m.     Both courses are U.S. Coast Guard approved, and the Maritime Basic Safety Training course is required for all mariners. The deadline to register for the two fall courses is Wednesday, Oct. 16, for the first week and Oct. 23 for the second for each set of courses. Cost is $1,200 for the five-day Maritime Basic Safety Training course and $250 for the Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties. Limited scholarship opportunities are available. Veterans may qualify for the cost to be covered under the Hazelwood Act, but the G.I. Bill does not apply. Questions or ready to register? Contact Stineman at 361-698-2181 or jstineman@delmar.edu. Individuals can also visit the Corporate Services “Career and Industry Training” web page for details at: www.delmar.edu/continuing-education/career.html The Maritime Basic Safety Training course is comprised of four disciplines, and students must demonstrate proficiency in each, including: • Basic Fire Fighting (16 hours): students will gain the knowledge and skills to correctly handle a shipboard fire, take appropriate measures for the safety of ship personnel and use fire appliances correctly. Due to risks associated with fire, students may have mustaches but must be clean-shaven on the rest of the face. • Personal Survival Techniques (12 hours): swimming is required for this class with trainees learning how to respond to emergency situations, take measures appropriate for their own survival and of others and use survival equipment correctly. • Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (4 hours): due to the vastly different environment on a ship as compared to ashore, this course prepares new mariners for a life at sea. • First Aid /CPR (8 hours): students will learn the principles and techniques of safety and basic first aid, automatic external defibrillator (AED) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to the accepted standards of the American Red Cross. A certificate from the American Red Cross will be awarded upon completion. Participants will receive a certificate of completion for each class successfully completed during the five days but not a Coast Guard license. However, individuals who successfully complete the course will be able to apply for a Merchant Mariner’s Credential, which is the first step to obtaining a license. The Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties course covers many requirements and regulations concerning security measures onboard a vessel. Participants must attend both days of the course. Those who complete this course will be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge to carry out the duties assigned under the Vessel Security Plan. Among several issues covered, the course includes: • current security threats and patterns, • recognition and detection of weapons,• dangerous substances and devices, • techniques used to circumvent security measures, • crowd management, and • emergency procedures. DMC Workforce Programs and Corporate Services, in conjunction with San Jacinto College’s Maritime Technology and Training Center and the Southeast Maritime and Transportation Center, currently is working to establish a full training program that addresses multiple skills levels that local maritime employers seek.  

Article by: The Mosaic Project of South Texas (Contributed Release) The public is invited to commemorate LGBT History Month and attend a free screening of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) American Experience documentary “Stonewall Uprising” scheduled Tuesday, Oct.15, at 6 p.m. at Del Mar College, 101 Baldwin, in the Harvin Student Center’s Retama Room (Second Floor). The event is jointly sponsored by the Mosaic Project of South Texas/PRIDE Corpus Christi, Del Mar College/Safe Space Club and KEDT and is FREE to students and the general public. The documentary, produced by WGBH in Boston as part of the PBS series “American Experience,” examines the events leading up to what is seen as the defining moment in the establishment of the gay rights movement in the United States––the riot at the Stonewall Inn in New York City in the summer of 1969. This year marks the 50th anniversary of those riots that marked a critical turning point in the LGBT civil rights movement. “It is a privilege to work with Del Mar College and KEDT during LGBT History Month to offer education and information about the courageous individuals who sparked a national civil rights movement,” said Bill Hoelscher, President of the Mosaic Project of South Texas. “It is important to remember the freedoms and protections we as LGBT individuals have gained over the last 50 years were not easily won. Del Mar College and KEDT are allies who protect and promote the dignity and value of LGBT students, staff, faculty and the community at large.” Rita Hernandez, z, MA, LPC-S and Lead Counselor with Del Mar College’s Counseling Center, added, “The College is proud to collaborate with The Mosaic Project/PRIDE Corpus Christi, and we are thankful for the opportunity to host this event and learn from LGBT history. As allies and advocates, we strive to foster a culture that is safe and affirming to all who seek higher education. Embracing knowledge and diversity is how Del Mar College Vikings thrive.” Seating is limited for this event. All seats are general admission with no reserved seating. Go to pridecorpuschristi.com to reserve tickets through EventBrite. Prior to the screening, a reception will be held starting at 5 p.m. outside the Retama Room. A panel discussion on “The Future of LGBT Rights” will follow the film. LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history and the history of the gay rights and LGBT civil rights movement. LGBT History Month provides an opportunity to learn about historical role models, to strengthen community bonds and to make a public statement about the important contributions of the LGBT community to society at large. LGBT History Month also coincides with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 as well as the 40th anniversary on Oct. 14 of the 1979 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The first such political rally by members of the LGBT community, the march drew between 75,000 and 125,000 gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender individuals and straight allies to demand equal protections and civil rights legislation. The struggle continues today, and the public is invited to learn more about the past, present and future struggles for LGBT civil rights.

Article by: Melinda Eddleman For the past two years, thrill seekers have taken the Del Mar College (DMC) Foundation’s challenge to go “over the edge” to raise funds for student scholarships by rappelling down 20 stories from the rooftop of a Corpus Christi’s Bayfront hotel. Organizers are extending the same opportunity for the 2019 Over The Edge scholarship fundraiser scheduled Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Holiday Inn Corpus Christi Downtown Marina. If you haven’t registered, it’s not too late!   Over The Edge has raised more than $188,000 since the Foundation first held the event in 2017. The overall goal is to raise $115,000 between registered participants and sponsorships this year. You can help the Foundation meet that goal by registering or donating to an individual who has already signed up for the challenge.Individuals who raise at least $1,000 by Oct. 11, or two weeks prior to the event, will rappel down from the hotel’s rooftop. Registrants set up their own donation pages where family, friends and colleagues can donate funds toward their rappelling experience. No climbing or rappelling experience is necessary for this event … just enough courage to go “over the edge.” And, various opportunities are available to participate during the event, including individual, team and toss your boss or professor rappelling sponsorships, keeping your feet squarely on the ground in the viewing zone. Learn more about Over The Edge 2019 and resources to get you on your way to going “over the edge” by visiting www.delmar.edu/foundation. Still have questions? Contact the DMC Foundation Office at 361-698-1317 or foundation@delmar.edu.

Article by: Rosa Linda Reynoso Interested in history? World War I was a significant turning point in the political, cultural, economic and social climate of the world. Recently, Mark Robbins, PhD, associate professor of history with Del Mar College’s Social Sciences Department, was interviewed on the WWI Centennial News: The Doughboy Podcast, the official podcast of the United States World War I Centennial Commission, to discuss his book, Middle Class Union: Organizing the ‘Consuming Public’ in Post-World War I America. He discussed the labor movement during the war and covered the broader context of the political economy during and after the war. Robbins’ interview is found at WWI Centennial News for Sept. 16, 2019 - Episode #140 titled The American Worker & WWI. Robbins’ interview, “Labor Gains & Labor Losses,” begins at 10:05 into the podcast. The link to the podcast is https://bit.ly/2lIlUwu.   In Middle Class Union (University of Michigan Press 2017), Robbins looks at how the idea of a “middle class” emerged in American cities in the early Twentieth Century and revolved around new patterns of consumption. He shows how people who were neither business owners nor laborers found ways to organize to protect their right to affordable food, clothing, shelter and other consumer goods. Described as “combining social history with interdisciplinary approaches to the study of consumption and symbolic space, Middle Class Union illustrates how acts of consumption, representations of the middle class in literary, journalistic and artistic discourses and ground-level organizing combined to enable white-collar activists to establish themselves as both the middle class and the backbone of the nation.” (Read more about Middle Class Union at http://bit.ly/2yCFfkE) Robbins adds that the Centennial Commission, created by Congress in 2013, does important work not only to establish a long-overdue National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C., but also to find ways to draw attention to the war’s many legacies. The Commission’s podcast is part of that effort. Additionally, the Centennial Commission plans, develops and executes programs, projects and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. The president and leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National World War I Museum, appointed members of the Commission.  

Article by: Michael Bratten A little over two years after Hurricane Harvey made their Aransas Pass home uninhabitable, Lisa Schaar and her husband moved into their new home on Sept. 13. Schaar is one of about 70 students who will receive certificates tomorrow after completing the free, 10-week program, which is designed to train participants to become qualified carpenters and help Coastal Bend communities rebound from Hurricane Harvey. The program began in the spring, with classes offered in Rockport, Ingleside and at DMC’s West Campus. The next session is scheduled to run from Oct. 7 through Dec. 17; more than 475 registrants are currently on the waiting list. For more information, call (361) 698-2122 or go to www.delmar.edu/continuing-education/carpentry_training_program.html. After Hurricane Harvey damaged her home, Schaar said she and her husband “hopped around between San Antonio and Aransas Pass, and some nights we slept in our truck.” They also stayed with a neighbor and were eventually able to live in some space on their home’s back porch. “I felt like the ordeal was going to last forever,” Schaar said. Besides hearing students’ stories, guests at today’s celebration were invited to participate in some of the skills demonstrations at roofing and sawing stations set up for the event. Students also showcased a tiny home they built as a team that incorporates their new skills. Upon completion, students receive Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification and may be referred to contractors and builders for hiring consideration. All of the participants in the program’s first session, which concluded in July, were offered jobs. “Based on the community’s response, this program could likely be sustained for years to come with continued funding,” said Lenora Keas, DMC vice president of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives. The Rebuild Texas Carpentry Skills Training Program is made possible by an $879,000 grant from the Rebuild Texas Fund, a collaborative project of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and the OneStar Foundation. According to the organization’s website, the Rebuild Texas Fund was launched to raise and deploy $100 million to communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey. “The Rebuild Texas Fund is extremely proud of this program and the work that you’ve been able to accomplish,” said Cristina Cornejo, Rebuild Texas Fund program officer, at today’s event. “On behalf of the Rebuild Texas Fund and our 33,000 individual donors, I’d like to say, ‘Thank you.’” The Rebuild Texas Fund August 2019 Progress Report includes the following statistics: Over 1.1 million people directly served by funded projects 212 organizations at work rebuilding lives and communities $100 million donated by over 33,000 donors at work in our communities 100 percent of donations invested in impacted areas $63.6 million in additional funding unlocked by fund involvement To see the complete report, go to https://www.rebuildtx.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/rebuild-texas-fund-two-years.pdf.  

Article by: Texas General Land Office (Contributed) (Release posted in-full as distributed to local media Sept. 25, 2019)   Participants can attend a listening session or watch live via the internet; Comments can be submitted in person or via email at cdr@recovery.texas.gov AUSTIN - The Texas General Land Office (GLO) is announcing details for three regional public hearings to seek input on the use of $4,297,189,00 in funding for mitigation projects in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey as well as 2015 and 2016 Floods. The GLO will directly administer these funds, while the cities of Houston and San Marcos will administer separate, direct allocations of $61,884,000 and $24,012,000, respectively, for the 2015 Floods. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided the funding through the Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT). As a part of the federal requirements, the GLO will conduct at least four public hearings as a part of the State Action Plan drafting and approval process, which is expected to take about nine months.   Austin Regional Public Hearing Date: Tomorrow, September 26 Time: 12:00 p.m. (noon) Location: Texas State Capitol, Capitol Auditorium, E1.004 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 Watch LIVE: https://tinyurl.com/y2y2tyv3   Beaumont Regional Public Hearing NEW Date: Tuesday, October 1 Time: 12:00 p.m. (noon) Location: Jefferson County Courthouse, Jury Empaneling Room 1149 Pearl Street, Beaumont, TX 77701 Watch LIVE: https://tinyurl.com/y3rua9f7   NEW: Corpus Christi Regional Public Hearing Date: Wednesday, October 2 Time: 12:00 p.m. (noon) Location: Del Mar College, Center for Economic Development Room #106 3209 S. Staples Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 Watch LIVE: https://tinyurl.com/y4jl9wwg   The listening sessions will be live streamed and made available after the meetings. Please use the links above to view the live broadcast. Comments can be submitted in person or via email at cdr@recovery.texas.gov. The public notice can be found here: https://recovery.texas.gov/public-notices/index.html. Reasonable accommodations will be available for persons attending the public hearing. Requests for special accommodations should be received 24-hours prior to each hearing. The public hearing will be conducted in English and requests for language interpreters or other special communication needs should be made at least 48 hours prior to a function. Please call 512-463-5139 or email cdr@recovery.texas.gov for assistance.   Information on CDBG-MIT On August 23, 2019, HUD released mandatory rules for the use of more than $4.3 billion in funding for mitigation projects, which were appropriated by Congress on February 9, 2018. Publication of rules in the Federal Register are necessary for the GLO to begin drafting a state action plan, before sending it to HUD for approval. This process is expected to take approximately nine months or more to complete. In total, HUD allocated $4,383,085,000 in CDBG-MIT funds to Texas. Altogether, 140 Texas counties are eligible for some part of this allocation of funding for 2015, 2016, and 2017 (Hurricane Harvey) disasters. Here is the breakdown of funding as directed by HUD: Texas General Land Office will administer $4,297,189,000: $4,074,456,000 for Hurricane Harvey $169,748,000 for 2016 Floods $52,985,000 for 2015 Floods HUD direct allocations: $61,884,000 to City of Houston for 2015 Floods $24,012,000 to City of San Marcos for 2015 Floods