Article by Richard Guerrero, Jr. Whether you’re seeking a full course correction in life and would like to start working toward a new career path or you’re already working on an associate degree but have taken a break and are ready to get back on track, online and on-campus registration and advising are currently underway for Del Mar College Summer II and Fall 2025 credit courses. Summer Session II includes five- and six-week courses to fit in with your busy summertime schedule while fall courses include eight-, 12-, 15- and 16-week sessions that also give you options. Registration and tuition/fees deadlines vary for summer and fall sessions, so go online to the college’s Registration page for specific dates.  In-person admissions/registration assistance is available on all three campuses (online directions and campus maps): • Heritage Campus – Harvin Student Center, 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404) • Windward Campus – Coleman Center, 4101 Old Brownsville Road (78405) • Oso Creek Campus – Main Center Building, 7002 Yorktown Blvd. (78414)  Both current and prospective students can view course offerings, which are frequently updated throughout the registration process. Additionally, students can use WebDMC to check their financial aid status, review their degree plan and find other information. Current students also need to contact the department of their declared major for specific instructions (access the Academic Advisor Directory). Prospective students needing to complete their admissions file can get more information about the process on the Admissions web page or contact the DMC Student Enrollment Center at 361-698-1290 or enroll@delmar.edu.  Summer Session II classes begin Monday, July 7. Currently, Fall 2025 registration is underway with classes beginning Monday, Aug. 25. To learn more about registration opportunities, payment deadlines and other pertinent information, visit https://www.delmar.edu/registration.  Individuals can also contact the DMC Student Enrollment Center at 361-698-1290 or enroill@delmar.edu  about fall registration.  The college will host two more One Stop Saturday events, July 12 and Aug. 2, in the Harvin Student Center on the Heritage Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist individuals with their admissions files, registration and other processes in preparation for the fall semester. During the July 12 One Stop Saturday, DMC in-district residents can also learn more about Del Mar College’s Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program, which launches this fall and has an Aug. 1 application deadline.   For details about other steps, you can take to get a head start before attending a One Stop Saturday event, visit www.delmar.edu/1stop/index.html.   Already hold an associate degree from one of the many programs offered at DMC? Take the next step to earn a bachelor’s degree––either the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) degree for those already working as registered nurses or the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership (BAS-OML) degree that applies to well-over 50 associate degree programs among the college’s curricula.  The college offers the BAS-OML degree completely online through the Department of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. Both individuals who already hold an associate degree and those students just beginning their studies among the 55 programs applicable to the bachelor’s degree when completed are encouraged to pursue the BAS-OML.   Information about program requirements, the admissions process and an online form to get started are available at www.delmar.edu/basoml. Interested individuals can also inquire about the BAS-OML degree program at basoml@delmar.edu or 361-698-1372.  The next student group for the RN to BSN degree begins in spring 2026, but the application process runs July 1 through Oct. 1. Applicants must hold a valid RN state license and have completed 90 semester credit hours (SCH) that include required general education credit courses. Additionally, interested individuals must also have completed associate degree-level RN coursework from an accredited nursing program.  Prospective applicants can learn more about the program at delmar.edu/bsn/index.html or by contacting the college’s Department of Nurse Education at RNtoBSN@delmar.edu or 361-698-2809.  What are you waiting for? Apply or get registered to “own your dreams” at Del Mar College!    

Article by DMC College Relations Office Tuesday, June 10, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a workshop at 10 a.m. and 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. Copies of the Agenda Notices and Board Packets are available online as follows: • 10 a.m. Workshop: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/workshop-packet-6-10-25.pdf • 1 p.m. Regular Meeting: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regularboard-meeting-packet-6-10-25.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 guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.       

Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr. For the first time in college history, Del Mar College recognized students from the Adult Education & Literacy, Continuing Education and Corporate Services Departments in a single ceremony that took place on June 3, 2025, in Richardson Performance Hall, located on the Heritage Campus of the College. The Summer 2025 Continuing Education Recognition Ceremony featured 526 students who were recognized for their accomplishments – it was the Continuing Education Department’s largest recognition group to date. The ceremony also represented the first time all three programs honored their respective graduates during a single event. Following opening remarks by Dr. Leonard Rivera, Del Mar College (DMC) Vice President of Dual Enrollment & Continuing Education, Communities in Schools of the Coastal Bend CEO Gloria Taylor delivered a moving keynote address that served to inspire everyone in the room. Taylor has led the organization for the past 15 years and brings nearly four decades of dedicated service to the nonprofit sector. Taylor was honored with a Y Women in Careers award in 2022 and was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2024. Adult Education recognized 11 individuals during its portion of the ceremony. The Career Training Program recognized 74 individuals in four areas: 28 students in Administrative Assistant 5 in Child Development Associate 11 in Legal Secretary 30 in Real Estate Corporate Services recognized 201 individuals in five areas: 169 students in Commercial Driver’s License 10 students in Commercial Driver’s License, Real Grant 6 students in Maritime Advanced Firefighting 9 students in Maritime Basic Safety Training 7 students in Structural Ironwork Continuing Education’s Healthcare Program recognized 197 individuals in 5 areas: 53 students in Certified Nurse Aide 22 students in Billing and Coding 23 students in Medical Secretary 54 in Electrocardiography 45 in Phlebotomy And, Continuing Education’s Industrial Program recognized 43 individuals in 3 areas: 30 students will receive the Electrical Helper Workforce Skills Award 2 students will receive the Plumbing Helper Workforce Skills Award 11 students will receive the Welding Helper Workforce Skills Award

Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr.  Raul Alonzo was an award-winning Foghorn staffer while he was a student at Del Mar College. His time working on student newspapers both at DMC and at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi have served him well. He moved on to work for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Gatehouse Media while wrapping up work on a bachelor’s degree in media arts at TAMU-CC. Today, he’s a Digital Producer for the Texas Standard weekday radio news magazine, which airs on National Public Radio stations across the Lone Star State. College Relations staff caught up with Alonzo when he was invited to return to campus in March 2025 to give a talk about a project that began during his days as a Foghorn reporter. He was genuinely excited to share details about his work and how his time at DMC helped him build the skill set he needed to excel in his current role.  

Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr. The partnership prepares high school-age students for the workforce … health care to be precise. And, for more than 150 students from Ray, Miller and Veterans Memorial high schools in the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD), their hard work and accomplishments will be recognized as part of a Health Care Program Class of 2025 pinning ceremony, which is part of a specialized certification opportunity offered through Del Mar College’s Continuing Education (CE) division. The ceremony was held in Richardson Performance Hall on DMC’s Heritage Campus on May 20. The event was one of 30 pinning ceremonies scheduled since the last week in April with 1,256 high school and academy students overall receiving pins. Some of these students are from as far away as Austwell-Tivoli High School located north of Rockport and Benavides High School located west of Kingsville.    The CE Health Care Program offers national certifications for high school juniors and seniors that are obtained through American Allied Health, a credentialing agency that specializes in online allied health science national certifications. Students must pass an online exam that is proctored by DMC instructors to receive their certification. Juniors receive a Phlebotomy Technician certificate of completion while seniors receive the Introductory Medical Assistant Technician certification and a white coat that signifies they have two national certifications.    Maria Guerra, DMC Program Manager for Continuing Education Health Care, notes there was a key change this year. To meet area workforce needs, juniors are now enrolling in the Phlebotomy Technician course rather than the Electrocardiography Technician course that previous cohorts completed. “We have discovered that there’s greater job demand for phlebotomy technicians, and so we have updated that offering to help both students and employers alike,” Guerra said. Following remarks by Dr. Leonard Rivera, DMC Vice President of Dual Enrollment & Continuing Education, school representatives presented awards to their students, including: • 46 juniors and 30 seniors attending Veterans Memorial High School who received certificates, pins and/or coats from Principal Scott Walker and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers Amanda Delagarza and Vanessa Castaneda, • nine juniors and 10 seniors attending Roy Miller High School who received their awards from Principal Dr. Aurelio Tamayo and CTE teacher Kimberly Tanner and CE Health Care instructor Rachel Perry. • 36 juniors and 26 seniors attending W. B. Ray High School who received their awards from Principal Roxanne Cuevas and CTE teachers Brittany Queen and Sharon Rocha. For more information about Del Mar College’s CE Health Programs, visit delmar.edu/ce/.

Article by Melinda Eddleman Del Mar College’s (DMC) new Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program is a “game changer” for in-district residents who qualify and are accepted to begin courses this fall. And much like athletes who sign contracts to play at the collegiate or professional level, applicants selected for the program don’t have to worry about paying for their courses, but they do have to “sign on the dotted line” and commit to completing their associate’s degrees within three years as full-time students. Today, May 21, nine new Vikings participated during a “signing ceremony” symbolizing their new journey in higher education this fall semester and a path to completing their associate’s degrees over the next three years as part of the first cohort to participate in the college’s Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program. The pilot program is a first for Del Mar College, and Dr. Escamilla noted, “For the first time in our 90-year history, we are waiving the cost of tuition and most fees for incoming freshmen who qualify for the program like these students.” He added, “We want our students to have the freedom to fully focus on what’s most important – completing their education and owning their dreams.” Roy Miller High School senior Jonathan Anguiano couldn’t agree more. The 18-year-old dual enrollment student who has focused on occupational courses to improve his welding skills said, “Even as a student coming straight out of high school into college, I work and have bills, so this program is a relief that my education is covered. It’s truly a blessing and a once-in-a-lifetime chance that Del Mar College is giving me this opportunity to not worry about tuition.” He plans to complete his Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Applied Technology and was among the nine individuals signing the Freedom to Dream contract during the ceremony. In early March, the DMC Board of Regents approved the pilot program. Aas of May 16, current count shows that 2,138 individuals have requested information about the program or applied. Approximately 1,145 individuals have met eligibility requirements and have been selected, and 532 individuals have signed their agreements. In-district residents can learn more and apply for the program through Aug. 1 at www.delmar.edu/freedom/. Durin the May 21 event, Board of Regents Chair Carol A. Scott said, “I want to add an adjective to this ceremony and call it ‘groundbreaking.’” She added, “The program truly increases access to higher education for more Coastal Bend residents – like these students. By removing financial barriers, the Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver creates a more level playing field for higher education.” The Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program covers tuition and some fees using “first-in funding,” which comes from two sources: 1) DMC Foundation funds previously donated for the Viking Promise Program and approved for use to support the pilot program by its Board of Trustees and 2) the revenue generated from the state’s outcomes-based funding model for community colleges established by House Bill 8 in 2023. The first-in funding model allows students to draw from their financial aid or scholarships as resources to pay for living expenses and other collegiate-related costs––such as books, gear or program-specific uniforms––so they can attend DMC full-time. “The Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program is making my dreams possible now that I don’t have to worry about paying for classes,” says Marysabel Lopez, who will graduate from high school among West Oso ISD’s Class of 2025 on May 30. “Instead, I can perform my heart out as a Music Education major because my dream is to teach the experience of being a part of music to younger generations.”  Lopez signed her contract May 21, too. Qualifications for the first cohort include: All Qualifying Applicants: • Live in the Del Mar College District (taxing district), which includes the Calallen, Corpus Christi, Flour Bluff, Tuloso-Midway and West Oso Indepe3ndent School Districts. • Enroll full-time (12 Semester Credit Hours or more). • Maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA). • Enroll in a for-credit program or certificate. • Commit to a formal agreement or “contract” to complete their studies withing a three-year period. High School Students: • Graduating among the Class of 2025 or equivalent. • Dual Credit students are eligible regardless of the number of Semester Credit Hours they have earned. Adult Learner: • First-time-in-college student with12 Semester Credit Hours or lLess.  As an adult learner, 39-year-old Joseph Collin, who previously completed his high school equivalency or General Educational Development (GED) certificate at Del Mar College and earned three Semester Credit Hours toward Liberal Arts studies, plans to earn an Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree. Currently a reception group leader and phlebotomist at CSI Plasma, Collin says, “My dream is to become a Surgical First Assistant with specialties in Neurology, but more specifically, I want to focus on the brain and what causes Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.”   Del Mar College’s Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver Pilot Program can propel Collin and others to do just that…“own their dreams.”