Article by DMC College Relations The Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a called meeting at 11 a.m. via video and/or telephone conference call on Tuesday, July 27, at the Isensee Board Room in the East Campus Harvin Student Center. Members of the public will not be able to attend the monthly meeting in person, but they will be able to view it online or access by telephone. Due to health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic crisis, this meeting will be conducted by video and/or teleconference. The meeting will be conducted in accordance with guidance from the Offices of the Governor and Attorney General, and the provisions of Sections 551.122 and 551.127 of the Texas Government Code and other open meeting requirements, that have not been suspended by order of the Governor. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/  by 10:55 a.m. for the called meeting. They may also call (toll-free) 1-877-568-4106 and enter Access Code 310-594-181 as early as 10:30 a.m. General and Agenda-related public comments may be provided by calling the same toll-free number and using the same Access Code used for listening to the workshop and meeting. Anyone wishing to make a public comment needs to dial-in between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m. for the called meeting. They will register with a DMC staff member and provide their name and subject of their public comment, specifically if it is related to an Agenda item. The DMC staff member monitoring the toll-free line will mute all callers at 10:45 a.m. and then provide registered callers’ names and subject to the Board Chair at the appropriate time. When called upon during the Public Comments segment of the meeting, registered callers will be unmuted and will have three minutes to make their comments. A copy of the July 27 Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available at: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/called-meeting-7-27-21.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 Board members, DMC employees and the public remain a priority of the College. Additionally, DMC administrators are abiding by state, county and city orders and guidance addressing social gatherings and work practices for non-essential workers in the community.       Enter text here ...

Article by Melinda Eddleman Big businesses and government entities consistently seek to improve their bottom line. And each year, Coastal Bend business owners anticipate connecting with these area contractors for the opportunity to network and promote their products and services during The B.I.G. (Booming industry, International trade, Government contracting) Event. This year’s B.I.G. Event, which is the tenth one hosted by DMC’s Small Business Development Center, will remain “virtual,” but is scheduled over a three-day period, Aug. 3-5, during lunch from 11:45 to 1 p.m. each day. While at NO COST, participants will still need to register by 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3. To register, go to https://utsa.ecenterdirect.com/events/32913. Questions? Contact the DMC Small Business Development Center at 361-698-1021 or sbdc@delmar.edu. Business owners can explore the possibilities and opportunities to support global representation of new industries while meeting key contracting personnel virtually. Additionally, the 2021 B.I.G. Event will cover several topics, including business financing, business management, exporting/importing, government contracting, marketing/sales, procurement fair and selling to government. The three-day schedule includes: Tuesday, Aug. 3: Industry – covering upcoming projects and purchasing processes with a panel presentation by Bay, Ltd. and Flatiron/Dragados representatives. Wednesday, Aug. 4: Government Contracting – covering Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) a presentation by Robert Marraro with the DMC Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Thursday, Aug. 5: International Trade – covering small business exporting tips with presentations by Omar Garcia with the Port of Corpus Christi and Rick Rayne and Julio Garcia de las Mestas with the University of Texas-San Antonio International Trade Center. Sponsors for this year’s event include Port of Corpus Christi, Capital CDC, Frost Bank, BBVA, Navy Army Community Credit Union, SCORE Corpus Christi, Del Mar College and the DMC Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the University of Texas-San Antonio International Trade Center. The B.I.G. Event still may be virtual, but it’s one networking opportunity Coastal Bend businesses don’t want to miss. Owners are encouraged to carve out lunchtime during their busy schedules to work “on” their businesses instead of “in” their businesses to find new customers.    

Article by Melinda Eddleman Need more information about Del Mar College (DMC) or want to speak with someone in-person about how to get started with attending this fall? You can learn about the College’s admissions process, registration deadlines and financial aid or get some personal assistance from DMC Outreach & Recruitment representatives without having to go on campus. Join DMC reps Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25, at the Food Court in La Palmera Mall (5488 South Padre Island Drive) while out on your weekend shopping excursion. Info sessions are scheduled as follows: Saturday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fall 2021registration is underway with various registration periods and deadlines. To view the schedule, visit www.delmar.edu/registration. Fall classes begin Aug. 30. Have questions? Email the Outreach & Recruitment Office at recruit@delmar.edu or call 698-1290.    

Article by Melinda Eddleman Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 marked an unusual year for youth who were used to attending summer camps. This summer, that lack of opportunity was no longer at Del Mar College. The College’s Corpus Christi Prefreshman Engineering Program (CCPREP), a summer camp for inquisitive sixth through ninth graders, started back again; but, the 2021 camp was somewhat smaller as protocols were still practiced to ensure kids stayed safe.  And, on July 15, the 37 CCPREP campers were put to the test with competitions to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they acquired in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects during the past six weeks. Students competed in robot races, where teams programmed their custom-made robotic vehicles to navigate a race course; engaged in strength tests of plastic straw bridges built to demonstrate campers’ understanding of engineering principles; and showed off architectural model communities designed under the mentorship of members from the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. While most youth the same age spent part of their summer sleeping in, watching videos or gaming, CCPREP 2021 participants dedicated their time to hitting the books, building architectural and robotic wonders, hearing guest lectures from experts and learning more about the possibilities that STEM fields have in store for them after completing their primary and college-level education. The CCPREP camp co-director adds, “With added exposure to current professionals in a wide variety of STEM-related careers, we believe our program not only provides important analytical tools to help all students succeed but also encourages them to find a course of study that they can pursue with passion for the rest of their lives.” CCPREP is the local camp offered as part of the statewide Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program initiative. The summer camp is free to all participants and made possible with funding from Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi, the lead sponsor, with additional support from Del Mar College, the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Texas Department of Transportation, Citgo and the University of Texas at San Antonio. The program targets high ability middle through high school students interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields. CCPREP is challenging and rigorous, including classroom study, homework and group projects. Campers are also exposed to various career opportunities with experts covering areas supported by STEM. This year’s career representatives talked about careers ranging from accounting; computer science; and various engineering options to meteorology, nursing and other topics. Guest speakers represented various organizations and companies, including the Corpus Christi Army Depot, Chemours, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries, Del Mar College, Flint Hills Resources, KOCH, National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Valero Energy and the 148 Nueces County District Court. Of this year’s smaller camp, Shollenberger adds, “ Overall, CCPREP 2021 participants will have benefitted from a hands-on college experience this summer.”   (Click on photos to enlarge, read cutlines and download.)  

Article by Melinda Eddleman Planning to attend Del Mar College (DMC) this fall and need to get registered for credit courses? Or, do you need to get a COVID-19 or required Meningitis vaccine before the fall semester starts? Now’s the time to take care of business! An on-campus registration opportunity and a vaccination clinic are scheduled this Saturday, July 17, on the East Campus (Baldwin and Ayers) in the Harvin Student Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. DMC representatives will be on-hand to assist participants with admissions, class registration, financial aid application, Dual Credit registration, tuition and fee payments and other business that needs addressing. Advisors will be available, too. Additionally, the TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Test is available between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the DMC Testing Center. To pre-register, go to www.delmar.edu/tsi. Testing fees do apply.  Need to get vaccinated for either Meningitis or COVID-19? While not required, the College encourages prospective students to get a COVID-19 vaccination. The Nueces County Health Department will conduct the COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Saturday on campus. Meningitis vaccines ARE REQUIRED for all new students age 21 or younger as mandated by Texas Senate Bill 62. Visit the College’s Meningitis Vaccine page for more details. Students can also receive other vaccines if not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, including TDaP, Hepatitis A&B and HPV. WARNING: Individuals who need more than one vaccine that includes the COVID-19 vaccine may not receive them all the same day. The waiting period is two weeks (14 days) between receiving another vaccine if the COVID-19 vaccine is given. The College will schedule several more vaccination clinics during August and will post those dates. Have questions? Contact the Student Enrollment Center at enroll@delmar.edu or 698-1290. Other registration opportunities, along with pertinent information, are also listed at www.delmar.edu/registration.      

Article by: Rosa Linda Reynoso It’s back but different! Del Mar College’s (DMC) 7th Annual Mexican American Studies (MAS) Summer Seminar has returned with the College offering the much-anticipated event virtually this year. Even though programming is online as a video presentation, the summer seminar is like a two-day immersion course to familiarize participants with the rich history and culture that Del Mar’s MAS associate’s degree program covers over several semesters. Scheduled Friday and Saturday, July 23-24, the MAS summer seminar video presentation will feature several educational sessions beginning at 10 a.m. each day as follows: Friday, July 23, 10 a.m., 7th Annual Mexican American Studies Summer Seminar Video Presentation (Day1). To view the event, use YouTube at youtu.be/te6dqYczJzE or Boxcast at boxcast.tv/view/7th-annual-mexican-american-summer-seminar-day-1-629035 Saturday, July 24, 10 a.m., 7th Annual Mexican American Studies Summer Seminar Video Presentation (Day 2). To view the event, use YouTube at youtu.be/AKeNgAOxma4 or Boxcast at boxcast.tv/view/7th-annual-mexican-american-summer-seminar-day-2-386800 If you can’t view the seminar either July 23 or 24, you can view the videos through July 31 at: (Day 1) Boxcast at boxcast.tv/view/7th-annual-mexican-american-summer-seminar-day-1-629035 (Day 2) Boxcast at boxcast.tv/view/7th-annual-mexican-american-summer-seminar-day-2-386800 Questions? Contact MAS Summer Seminar coordinator and DMC Spanish language faculty member Javier Morin at 698-1585 or jmorin@delmar.edu. Additionally, the MAS Summer Seminar webpage with more information is available at www.delmar.edu/Degrees/mexican-american-studies/mas-seminar.html. Among this year’s line-up, DMC President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Escamilla, Ph.D., will give the Mike M. Anzaldúa Jr. Keynote Address, which is scheduled both days. The annual keynote is named for and honors the late Professor Emeritus of English who taught with the English and Philosophy Department for over 43 years. Anzaldúa was one of the key faculty to support and develop the MAS degree program at Del Mar College. Other special guests include the Honorable Mayor of Corpus Christi Paulette Guajardo; Mayra Zamora, Chicano contemporary artist, educator, muralist and curator; and Folklorico dancer Teresa Saldivar. Seminar activities on the first day include musical selections, Quiereme and Tuyo, performed by Paul Bissell, DMA, DMC Professor of Music, and Sound Recording Technology majors, and a Yoga video break led by DMC Professor of Kinesiology Shawnee Jones-Bonnette, MEd. The second day features a two-part video break with DMC Kinesiology faculty members Gene Power, MEd, and Kristy Urbick. Every year, MAS Summer Seminar sessions and activities focus on literature, music, art, the humanities, history, politics and the Spanish language, among other topics. 2021 presentations include those given by Del Mar College, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University-Kingsville faculty. For more information about the College’s MAS program, visit www.delmar.edu/mas.  

Article byDMC College Relations Office IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM DMC CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM Del Mar College will conduct business as usual today, Friday, July 9. All classes and work schedules will resume as previously scheduled. If you are in an area that continues to experience flooding and it is unsafe for you to report to school or work, please contact your instructor or immediate supervisor. Please use caution on your commute today and if you encounter a flooded road, remember—turn around don’t drown! For updates related to DMC operations, please continue to monitor the DMC website, email and social media accounts.    

Article by DMC College Relations (posted at 3:30 p.m.) DMC ALERT—At this time, Del Mar College plans to conduct business as usual tomorrow, Friday, July 9. All classes and work schedules will resume as previously scheduled. If you are in an area that continues to experience flooding and it is unsafe for you to report to school or work, please contact your instructor or immediate supervisor. The College will continue to monitor conditions and, if needed, will adjust operational plans accordingly. If changes to current plans are deemed necessary, notifications will be targeted for delivery before or by 7 a.m. tomorrow morning. Please continue to monitor the DMC website, email and social media accounts for possible updates.  

Article by DMC College Relations (posted at 6:55 a.m.) DMC ALERT—Due to dangerous flooding conditions across most of our service area, DMC Administration has decided to move all classes online, where conditions allow. If students have questions regarding testing, they should contact their instructor. Employees should work remotely, if possible, and do not report to campus. Those employees who have been deemed critical personnel will be contacted by their supervisors with further instruction. Much of the area is currently under a Flash Flood Warning and reports of various stages of flooding have impacted areas throughout the Coastal Bend resulting in several road closures.  The College will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day and will adjust operational plans accordingly. Please make sure to monitor the DMC website, email and social media accounts for future updates. The health and safety of our students, employees and guests remain our top priority.