Article by: DMC College Relations Office Del Mar College Update (3:43 p.m.) Del Mar College has received information that two employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Both were immediately instructed to self-isolate and the cases are not related. After following College health and safety protocols, it was determined that no one had close contact with the employees while on campus. The areas on the East and West campuses where the employees were present have been disinfected.    The health and safety of our students and employees remain our top priority at Del Mar College. All College facilities remain closed to the public. Only restricted access for approved employees and designated students is allowed at this time.   

Article by: Rosa Linda Reynoso It’s been an unusual year, and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact everything, including the traditional “walking the stage” during commencement to signify students receiving their hard-earned reward and celebrating their accomplishment. However, Del Mar College (DMC) continues to mark that special occasion virtually and has scheduled an online commencement ceremony for the Class of Fall 2020 next Friday, Dec. 11. The “Virtual Viking Experience” begins with a pre-show at 6:30 p.m. followed by the formal commencement at 7 p.m. Family, friends and the general public are invited to watch all portions of this celebration and can view both the pre-show and ceremony using the following links: Boxcast: https://boxcast.tv/view/fall-2020-virtual-graduation-ceremony-438993  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delmarcollege/live YouTube: https://youtu.be/OwGnH2CZeZo  Twitter: @DelMarCollege  Overall, the College will award approximately 689 certificates and associate’s degrees combined to about 580 “prospective” December graduates. For Friday’s virtual event, 279 students signed up to participate as part of the online event.  

Article by Melinda Eddleman If you’re thinking about taking credit courses in the spring at Del Mar College (DMC), now’s the time to register. Early online advising and registration continues for Spring 2021 credit courses so you can “Get Your Learn On!” Taking classes at DMC is about two-thirds less than attending local universities, so go online and register now. Spring credit courses begin Tuesday, Jan. 19. Early online advising and registration runs through 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, which is the same deadline for tuition and fees payment for the current registration period. For information you need to register, along with admissions and other pertinent details, visit www.delmar.edu/registration. Other registration opportunities also will be available. But, don’t wait! Get the classes and scheduling you need now! Due to current COVID-19 pandemic conditions and the College’s protocols, access to DMC campuses and centers is restricted under Phase II of the DMC Return-to-Campus Plan. Spring 2021 credit course scheduling includes 8-, 12-, 15- and 16-week sessions with delivery provided in online, hybrid or face-to-face formats depending on evolving pandemic conditions and the phase of the Return-to-Campus Plan under implementation. Both current and prospective students can access WebDMC at www.delmar.edu to view course offerings, which are frequently updated throughout the registration process. WebDMC is also where students can check their financial aid status, review their degree plan and find other information. Questions? Contact the Del Mar College Student Enrollment Center at enroll@delmar.edu or 698-1290.

Article by Melinda Eddleman The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) sets the bar for early child development programs taught at colleges and universities across the nation. Del Mar College (DMC) received word from the Washington, D.C.-based association that Benita Flores-Muñoz, associate professor of child development with the College’s Child Development/Early Childhood Program, has been appointed to the NAEYC’s Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs.  The commission awards accreditation to early childhood degree programs at the associate, baccalaureate and master’s degree levels, and programs must demonstrate excellence and meet NAEYC’s Professional Preparation Standards. Currently, there are 197 institutions in 40 states with NAEYC-accredited programs, including Del Mar College.    Flores-Muñoz has served as a peer reviewer on NAEYC accreditation site visits across the United States for the past five years. She noted, “My previous role involved assessing other college early childhood programs and serving as ‘eyes and ears’ for the commission as part of the accreditation process.” As a commissioner, Flores-Muñoz will now meet with other early childhood professionals to make the final accreditation decisions for higher education programs seeking accreditation. Her three-year term in this role begins Jan. 1, 2021.  Del Mar College’s Child Development/Early Childhood Program offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree and a Certificate option in child development. Nationally-accredited by the NAEYC, the College’s AAS degree meets student learning outcomes that align with national standards and “best practices” in the field of early care and education.  DMC is one of 12 community colleges in Texas with NAEYC accreditation.  NAEYC’s notification letter that was sent to Flores-Muñoz and signed by Nancy Barbour, commission nominating committee chair, and Mary Harrill, senior director of Higher Education Accreditation and Program Support, stated the following:   The quality of any accreditation system is dependent upon the quality of the accreditation decisions made by the Commission. Your work in higher education, in an accredited program, and as a peer reviewer demonstrates your understanding of quality issues related to early childhood education, teacher preparation, and accreditation. You bring valuable expertise and perspectives to the Commission.  The work of the Commission is critical to the effectiveness of the accreditation system. We are confident that the strengths you bring will support our efforts to ensure that this system is credible and meaningful to the programs that use it and to the stakeholders that rely upon it.     

Article by: DMC College Relations Office Del Mar College Update (3:10 p.m.) Del Mar College has received information that three students and one employee have tested positive for COVID-19. The students were immediately instructed to self-isolate. In two of the student cases, two additional students who were in close contact have been asked to quarantine. It was determined that no one had close contact with the third student while on campus. The DMC employee was also instructed to self-isolate, and it was determined that no one had close contact with the individual while on campus. The areas on the West Campus where the students were present and the Center for Economic Development where the employee was present have been disinfected. The health and safety of our students and employees remain our top priority at Del Mar College. All College facilities remain closed to the public. Only restricted access for approved employees and designated students is allowed at this time.   

Article by: Rosa Linda Reynoso It’s almost pumpkin pie time! Thanksgiving is just around the corner with Del Mar College (DMC) closing for the break starting Wednesday, Nov. 25. And, if you’ve thought about attending DMC and need information about the application process, programs and other college-related services and assistance before the Thanksgiving break, you can get answers without leaving your car during the DMC Student Enrollment Center’s “Apply Before the Pie” Drive-thru information event scheduled in the parking lot at the Center for Economic Development (3209 S. Staples) from 3 to 6 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 20. (Please enter the parking lot from the Staples Street side.) DMC representatives will distribute goodie bags and information about various Del Mar College programs, including academic, Dual Credit and Continuing Education offerings available this spring. Interested individuals are strongly encouraged to complete a Student Inquiry Form by CLICKING HERE for the Nov. 20 “Apply Before the Pie” Drive-thru event. Come get your slice of pie (YES, real pie!) and learn more about applying to Del Mar College! Friday’s event is a precursor to the virtual “Apply Before the Pie” Admissions and Financial Aid Workshop scheduled Monday, Nov. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. Participants can take a “slice” out of their enrollment requirements by attending this online workshop. DMC representatives will be virtually on-hand to assist with completing admissions and financial aid processes before Turkey Day. To login for the Nov. 23 workshop, CLICK HERE to join the DMC Teams meeting platform. CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER and be entered for DMC Giveaways!  Don’t miss these two opportunities to get ready for the Spring 2021 semester. Spring credit courses begin Tuesday, Jan. 19, and registration is currently underway. Questions? Contact the DMC Student Enrollment Center at 698-1290 or enroll@delmar.edu, or visit www.delmar.edu/registration. Learn more about other DMC Outreach Events by visiting https://www.delmar.edu/becoming-a-viking/discover/tours/outreach-events.html to “Get Your Learn On!”  

Article by DMC College Relations Office Preliminary results for three Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents seats on the 2020 general election ballot were announced last week after early and Nov. 3 voting ended. On Friday, Nov. 13, the Board, or Canvassing Authority, will hold a called meeting at 11:30 a.m. to canvass election returns and officially declare the results. District residents cast their votes, and the Nueces County Clerk Election Department tabulated results on Nov. 3. Preliminary reporting includes Laurie Turner, Ed.D., elected for the District 4 seat and incumbents Dr. Nick Adame and Carol Scott retaining their At-large seats. Terms for these Board seats will run through 2026. Regents Mary Sherwood, Ph.D., and Libby Averyt will oversee the canvassing. A swearing-in ceremony will occur during the Board’s Dec. 8 regular meeting. Friday’s called meeting will be held via video and/or telephone conference call. Members of the public will not be able to attend the meeting in person, but they will be able to view the canvassing online or access the meeting by telephone. Due to health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, this meeting will be conducted in accordance with guidance from the Offices of the Governor and Attorney General, and the provisions of Sections 551.122, 551.125 and 551.127 of the Texas Government Code and other open meeting requirements, that have not been suspended by order of the Governor. DMC Board members and administrators in attendance will also practice social distancing and wear face masks or coverings. Community members may access the called meeting by going to the online video link at https://www.delmar.edu/webcast/  by 11:25 a.m. They may also call (toll-free) 1-877-568-4106 and enter Access Code 310-594-181 as early as 11 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 called meeting. Anyone wishing to make a public comment needs to dial-in between 11 and 11:15 a.m. They will register with a DMC staff member and provide their name and subject of their public comment, specifically if it is related to the Agenda. The DMC staff member monitoring the toll-free line will mute all callers at 11:15 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. The called meeting Agenda is accessible using the following link: https://www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/called-meeting-11-13-20.pdf Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at https://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. For more information regarding DMC Board of Regent elections, contact Jessica Alaniz, Risk Management Office, at jaalaniz@delmar.edu or 361-698-2214, or Augustin Rivera, Jr., General Counsel, at ariverajr@delmar.edu or 361-698-1098.    

Video created by DMC Digital Services (College Relations Office) Today (Nov. 11, 2020), we honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and theU.S. Coast Guard. Celebrate their service with this special message from Edward  "EJ" Goodroe, Director of Del Mar College's Veterans Center. A veteran himself, Sergeant Goodroe served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 2006 through 2012 as a field radio/satellite communications operator. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.   DMC student veterans have served on different front lines, and now 74 are majoring in one of the College’s first responder programs and preparing for a different kind of “front line.”  The student veteran population attending DMC and representing the different Armed Forces is as follows: 43% Army, 27% Navy, 17% Marine Corps, 10% Air Force and 3% Coast Guard. The College serves approximately 900 student veterans each semester. "These individuals have shown that not only are we resilient, we will persevere. We may not be able to celebrate this day as we did in previous years, but their service and continued service to us all will never be forgotten. Happy Veterans Day!” EJ Goodroe, Director of DMC Veterans Center    

Article by: DMC College Relations Office Del Mar College Update (2:54 p.m.) Del Mar College has received information that two students have tested positive for COVID-19. The students were immediately instructed to self-isolate. The two cases were not related. After following College health and safety protocols, it was determined that seven additional students who were in close contact with one of the positive cases would need to quarantine. For the remaining positive case, it was determined that no one had close contact with the student while on campus. The areas on the West Campus where the exposures occurred have been disinfected. Those who were identified as being exposed to the virus (per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines) while on DMC property were personally notified by a DMC representative. The health and safety of our students and employees remain our top priority at Del Mar College. All College facilities remain closed to the public. Only restricted access for approved employees and designated students is allowed at this time.  REMINDER: COVID 19 CASE REPORTING AT DMC Del Mar College is committed to keeping the community informed of positive COVID-19 cases reported on our campuses. Visit our online dashboard for the latest COVID-19 case count. The dashboard is updated on a weekly basis and includes cumulative positive cases and week-to-week cases for students and employees from each DMC campus.  DMC follows a contact tracing process as a service to our students, faculty, staff and visitors. If anyone has been exposed to a confirmed positive case on campus, they will be notified directly. Click here to see DMC’s health and safety protocols.