- DMC Board of Regents holding called meeting on Tuesday, July 23Article by DMC College Relations Office On Tuesday, July 23, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a called meeting beginning at 11 a.m. in Room 106 of the College’s Center for Economic Development at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map. The called meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 10:55 a.m. A copy of the Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available online at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/called-meeting-packet-7-23-24.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 COVID-19 guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.
- DMC’s TexPREP Summer Camp Empowers Underserved, Potential First-generation College Students for STEM CareersArticle by DMC College Relations and Flint Hills Resources Symbolic logic, problem solving, physics and linear coding…those are subjects you don’t normally think sixth and seventh graders would spend time covering during the first part of their summer break. In fact, those subjects sound more like what upper-level high school or college students would take during summer semester courses. But for 55 area middle school youth, that’s exactly how they’ve spent the past six weeks as participants with the Del Mar College (DMC) Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program or TexPREP. And, on Wednesday, July 17, those sixth and seventh graders showed off their acumen in the subjects taught as part of TexPREP during Media Day at the Oso Creek Campus by competing in robot races that showed design and coding skills, plastic straw bridge building techniques that tested strength under pressure and community architectural models that focused on design and applicable engineering principles. The annual summer camp is free and offered through a competitive application process to students demonstrating strong academic aptitude, especially in mathematics. TexPREP is a statewide initiative that began in 1979 at The University of Texas at San Antonio to encourage middle school- through early high school-age students to pursue studies and careers in fields related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Del Mar College introduced TexPREP to its summer youth programming in 2000. Additionally, the program’s longevity has been made possible by the 12-year lead sponsorship from Flint Hills Resources (FHR) with overall donations reaching approximately $225,000. During Media Day, Shollenberger acknowledged Flint Hills Recourses’ stepping up to support the program over a decade ago to ensure funding was available for its continuation each year. “In fact, eight years ago, Flint Hills Resources donated the robotic kits that you’ve been building,” Shollenberger noted while speaking to the campers and some parents who attended the event. Del Mar College’s rigorous TexPREP is accredited by the Texas Education Agency. Students who complete each program year can earn one elective credit for every camp they attend. The coursework and projects become more advanced each progressive year that students complete. And, DMC TexPREP campers can start high school with almost a half semester of credits by completing all three program years and even use those credits to graduate early. The College’s TexPREP utilizes project-based learning that progresses as students continue their participation each summer. Bridge building introduces campers to civil engineering, robotics to mechanical engineering and computer programming and vehicle model building to electrical engineering and aerodynamics. Members of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects also teach and mentor second-year students as they build models while learning the principles behind designing such wonders. Students also learn more about STEM-based career opportunities with guest speakers sharing their experiences and the skills and knowledge needed to enter their fields. This year those speakers included representatives from the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Corpus Christi City Council, Del Mar College, Flint Hills Resources, Hansoni Inc., MEG Corp, Steel Dynamics, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Valero and Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend, among other guests. Additionally, the program focuses on serving underrepresented populations, including youth who will be first-generation college-going students in their families and those nontraditionally represented in the STEM fields. Demographic data for the past 10 years show that DMC TexPREP participation has been nearly 50% female, including one-third Hispanic female and three-quarters Hispanic and African American among students attending the summer program. Half of the participants were prospective first-generation college students with over 25% being female. Additionally, historical data for all PREP students shows on average: · approximately 44% completing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline compared to 15% nationally, · three-quarters completing a bachelor’s degree are from underrepresented and/or minority groups compared to less than one-third nationally, and · nearly 70% who complete a bachelor’s degree do so in a STEM discipline and are from an underrepresented and/or minority group compared to 31% nationally. As for TexPREP 2024, Shollenberger said, “This year’s TexPREP participants may have spent six weeks of their summer immersed in challenging STEM projects and coursework, but Del Mar College and our partners have given them the foundation to continue their studies, set their sights on college and pursue careers of their dreams. TexPREP is an experience that will last them a lifetime.” Saenz added during Media Day, “What a huge compliment just to be selected to be a part of this program. The competition was very stiff, and organizers only chose the best of the best.” “That’s who we’re looking at today,” he added, speaking directly to the 55 campers. “You finished, and you’re almost done. What a fantastic accomplishment!” Campers, their families and DMC and FHR representatives will celebrate that accomplishment with a party and ceremony to wrap up another successful summer of TexPREP and the foundation the program has built for another group of youth who will not only define their own future with the skills they’ve learned but also that of South Texas and beyond. To learn more about the Del Mar College’s TexPREP, visit www.delmar.edu/ccprep.
- DMC Board of Regents holding called meeting on Tuesday, July 23Article by DMC College Relations Office On Tuesday, July 23, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a called meeting beginning at 11 a.m. in Room 106 of the College’s Center for Economic Development at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map. The called meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 10:55 a.m. A copy of the Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available online at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/called-meeting-packet-7-23-24.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 COVID-19 guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.
- DMC’s TexPREP Summer Camp Empowers Underserved, Potential First-generation College Students for STEM CareersArticle by DMC College Relations and Flint Hills Resources Symbolic logic, problem solving, physics and linear coding…those are subjects you don’t normally think sixth and seventh graders would spend time covering during the first part of their summer break. In fact, those subjects sound more like what upper-level high school or college students would take during summer semester courses. But for 55 area middle school youth, that’s exactly how they’ve spent the past six weeks as participants with the Del Mar College (DMC) Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program or TexPREP. And, on Wednesday, July 17, those sixth and seventh graders showed off their acumen in the subjects taught as part of TexPREP during Media Day at the Oso Creek Campus by competing in robot races that showed design and coding skills, plastic straw bridge building techniques that tested strength under pressure and community architectural models that focused on design and applicable engineering principles. The annual summer camp is free and offered through a competitive application process to students demonstrating strong academic aptitude, especially in mathematics. TexPREP is a statewide initiative that began in 1979 at The University of Texas at San Antonio to encourage middle school- through early high school-age students to pursue studies and careers in fields related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Del Mar College introduced TexPREP to its summer youth programming in 2000. Additionally, the program’s longevity has been made possible by the 12-year lead sponsorship from Flint Hills Resources (FHR) with overall donations reaching approximately $225,000. During Media Day, Shollenberger acknowledged Flint Hills Recourses’ stepping up to support the program over a decade ago to ensure funding was available for its continuation each year. “In fact, eight years ago, Flint Hills Resources donated the robotic kits that you’ve been building,” Shollenberger noted while speaking to the campers and some parents who attended the event. Del Mar College’s rigorous TexPREP is accredited by the Texas Education Agency. Students who complete each program year can earn one elective credit for every camp they attend. The coursework and projects become more advanced each progressive year that students complete. And, DMC TexPREP campers can start high school with almost a half semester of credits by completing all three program years and even use those credits to graduate early. The College’s TexPREP utilizes project-based learning that progresses as students continue their participation each summer. Bridge building introduces campers to civil engineering, robotics to mechanical engineering and computer programming and vehicle model building to electrical engineering and aerodynamics. Members of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects also teach and mentor second-year students as they build models while learning the principles behind designing such wonders. Students also learn more about STEM-based career opportunities with guest speakers sharing their experiences and the skills and knowledge needed to enter their fields. This year those speakers included representatives from the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Corpus Christi City Council, Del Mar College, Flint Hills Resources, Hansoni Inc., MEG Corp, Steel Dynamics, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Valero and Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend, among other guests. Additionally, the program focuses on serving underrepresented populations, including youth who will be first-generation college-going students in their families and those nontraditionally represented in the STEM fields. Demographic data for the past 10 years show that DMC TexPREP participation has been nearly 50% female, including one-third Hispanic female and three-quarters Hispanic and African American among students attending the summer program. Half of the participants were prospective first-generation college students with over 25% being female. Additionally, historical data for all PREP students shows on average: · approximately 44% completing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline compared to 15% nationally, · three-quarters completing a bachelor’s degree are from underrepresented and/or minority groups compared to less than one-third nationally, and · nearly 70% who complete a bachelor’s degree do so in a STEM discipline and are from an underrepresented and/or minority group compared to 31% nationally. As for TexPREP 2024, Shollenberger said, “This year’s TexPREP participants may have spent six weeks of their summer immersed in challenging STEM projects and coursework, but Del Mar College and our partners have given them the foundation to continue their studies, set their sights on college and pursue careers of their dreams. TexPREP is an experience that will last them a lifetime.” Saenz added during Media Day, “What a huge compliment just to be selected to be a part of this program. The competition was very stiff, and organizers only chose the best of the best.” “That’s who we’re looking at today,” he added, speaking directly to the 55 campers. “You finished, and you’re almost done. What a fantastic accomplishment!” Campers, their families and DMC and FHR representatives will celebrate that accomplishment with a party and ceremony to wrap up another successful summer of TexPREP and the foundation the program has built for another group of youth who will not only define their own future with the skills they’ve learned but also that of South Texas and beyond. To learn more about the Del Mar College’s TexPREP, visit www.delmar.edu/ccprep.
- Celebrar! Del Mar College marking 10th Annual Mexican American Studies Summer Seminar with “Arte, Cultura y MAS” on July 27Article by Melinda Eddleman Each July, the Del Mar College (DMC) Mexican American Studies (MAS) Program offers a full day of immersion into the rich culture and history that defines the heritage of many South Texans. It’s like taking a short daytrip without leaving home as participants learn more about the program while also attending sessions covering Mexican American art, literature, music, the humanities, U.S. history and politics as well as the Spanish language. So, what is it? It’s the annual Mexican American Studies Summer Seminar, which is FREE and will mark the 10th anniversary that the MAS Program has offered the event to the community. Titled this year “Arte, Cultura y MAS,” the summer seminar is scheduled Saturday, July 27, at the College’s Heritage Campus (101 Baldwin Blvd., 78404) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Music Buildings A and B of the General Academic and Music Building Phase II (GAMBII). Get online directions and campus map and look for MSUA and MSU B. While not required, registering ensures a seat and complimentary breakfast. Questions about the seminar, registration or other information? Contact Mexican American Studies Program Coordinators Dr. Isabel Araiza at iaraiza2@delmar.edu or Spanish Professor Javier Morin at jmorin@delmar.edu or call 361-698-2152. You can also visit the MAS Summer Seminar webpage at delmar.edu/degrees/mexican-american-studies/summer/. An event that’s sure to enlighten, educate and engage this year’s participants, the seminar opens with welcoming remarks by Folklorico dancer and educator Teresa Saldivar, who has participated with the MAS Summer Seminar for several years. Later in the day, she will give a general session presentation, “A History of Dance in South Texas: From the Perspective of a Professional Dancer.” A Del Mar College and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) alumna, Saldivar studied Ballet Folklorico in Vera Cruz and Oaxaca, Mexico, through the Rotary Club study exchange program. Renowned artist Santa Barraza will present “The voice of Chicana/Tejana art” as the honorary Mike M. Anzaldúa, Jr. Keynote Speaker to begin the event. The Kingsville native is a contemporary Chicana/Tejana artist and founder of Barraza Fine Art, LLC, a gallery and studio committed to furthering the appreciation of the visual arts at the Borderlands and among isolated, rural populations by showcasing creative talent. Among other presenters is the iconic artist duo Mayra Zamora and Monica Marie Garcia, who are known as the “Mural Queens of Corpus Christi.” Zamora, who was born in Austin and raised in Tivoli, is a freelance artist who works with local nonprofit organizations in Corpus Christi. The TAMU-CC bachelor and master’s degrees graduate has created artwork for Whataburger, Stripes Convenience Stores, Laredo Taco Company and K Space Contemporary art gallery, among other clients. Corpus Christi native Garcia holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from TAMU-CC and is known for her transformative murals that breathe life into ordinary walls, turning them into extraordinary canvases that tell stories of community and culture by capturing the essence of Corpus Christi and South Texas. As a pillar in the city’s art education scene for the past 15 years, Garcia empowers students of all ages through her step-by-step methods and inspires their own passion, artistic energy and creativity. Additionally, popular presenter Chef Cody Fitzpatrick, a DMC alumnus and master sous chef, returns with his “Cooking with Cody” demonstration. The Central Texas native grew up around the restaurant industry, helping his dad prep, cook and taste the recipes they prepared together. He brings his passion for food, along with the exploration of the rich history of Mexico through the use of vanilla in traditional cuisine, as he delves into the significance of this versatile ingredient and its impact on Mexican culinary heritage. Participants will have the unique opportunity to experience the flavors of Mexico in a whole new way during this final session of the day! The seminar also includes several other sessions throughout the day, along with an exhibit hall showcasing local artists. The general schedule for July 27 is as follows: 8 to 8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast 8:35 to 9:20 a.m. Welcome and Keynote Address 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open 9:25 to 10:10 a.m. Concurrent Sessions • De Generación en Generación: Three Generations of Texas Chicano/a Artists • Migrant Life: A Photo Presentation • Get MAS at the DMC Libraries! • The Mexican Revolution and Immigration to the United States • Meet the MAS Faculty! Panel Discussion 10:20 to 11:05 a.m. Concurrent Sessions • Chicano Telling Our Stories and Documenting for Future Generations • Local Genealogical Research • Challenging Memories of Working in the Fields by Migrant Farmworkers • Environmental Racism in the Coastal Bend • On Campus and in the Community: Influence of Latinas in the Chicano Movement in Rural Nueces and Kleberg Counties, 1950-2000 • Iconic Duo: Mural Queens of Corpus Christi 11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. General Session 12:25 to 1:10 p.m. Concurrent Sessions • Disability Awareness and Accessibility in Art • The Border Showdown: The struggle for Control of the Texas-Mexico Border • Identity and Agency with the Local Environment Justice Movement Panel • Identity Rewriting/Reclaiming History: Writing Women of Color Back into History in Emma Perez’s Forgetting the Alamo, Or Blood Memory • “A Body Like Mine” - Video Encore Presentation • “We are the Lucky Ones” – Panel Discussion on the Life and Legacy of Mike Anzaldúa 2:05 to 2:50 p.m. Concurrent Sessions • Quinceañeras through the Generations • Spanish for Everyday Use • History of LULAC in South Texas • “Poetry and its Reward” - Live Video Poetry Reading 2:55 to 3:25 General Session (Cooking Demonstration) 3:35 p.m. Door Prizes and Closing Remarks To access, download or print the MAS Summer Seminar program, click below for the PDF file:
- Update: July 8: Del Mar College Reopening Tuesday, July 9, After Precautionary Closure Due to Hurricane BerylArticle by DMC College Relations (Updated July 8, 2024) Del Mar College will resume operations at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, after its precautionary closure today, July 8, due to Hurricane Beryl. Campuses—including Heritage, Windward and Oso Creek—and the Center for Economic Development and their offices will reopen. Parents who have children in DMC summer camps should contact camp administrators with any questions regarding camp schedules. The tuition payment deadline for Summer Session II has been extended to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10. Students living in an area that experiences flooding and is currently unsafe to travel to campus or the Center for Economic Development to report to class, contact your instructors for class assignment arrangements. Additionally, employees living in an area that experiences flooding that makes it unsafe to report to work, contact your immediate supervisor for work arrangements. The health and safety of DMC students, employees and guests is our foremost concern. -DMC- Posted July 5, 2024 DEL MAR COLLEGE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JULY 8, IN ANTICIPATION OF IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE BERYL DMC EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS SHOULD MONITOR COLLEGE ALERT SYSTEM, WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS MEDIA OUTLETS FOR UPDATED NOTICES Del Mar College officials have decided to close the College on Monday, July 8, due to anticipated weather conditions from Hurricane Beryl. The closure includes the Heritage, Windward and Oso Creek campuses and the DMC Center for Economic Development. If essential personnel are needed during this closure, supervisors will contact those individuals. The DMC Incident Management Team will continue to monitor conditions and if College operations are affected beyond Monday, July 8, officials will provide updated information. Both DMC employees and students should continue to monitor the College’s website (www.delmar.edu), email and social media channels for weather-related updates as information on the storm develops. When a tropical system threatens the Coastal Bend area, the College will use DMCAlert as appropriate to share critical updates with the campus community. DMC operational information will be sent out by College email and posted on our website and social media. Employees and students should be sure to monitor their DMC email, texting devices and the College website and social media to stay informed about DMC operations. Employees and students are asked to sign up for DMCAlert and check to ensure their contact information is current and includes the ability to receive texts. Hurricane Beryl is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday as a tropical storm, but it will likely strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall in South Texas or northern Mexico early Monday morning. The health and safety of Del Mar College’s students, employees and guests are DMC officials’ foremost concern, and they will continue to assess weather developments and change College operations as needed. DMC officials also advise everyone to exercise appropriate caution through this and all weather events. Please avoid flooded areas and roads – Turn around, don’t drown – and observe beach conditions, including riptides.
- (Repost) DMC Continuing Education offering new and “free” Emergency Medical Responder and Health Care Program using $250,000 TRUE Grant from THECBArticle by Melinda Eddleman (Originally posted on Feb. 1, 2024 with repost for upcoming cohort) For Coastal Bend residents who have considered entering the healthcare industry or want to be part of a patient emergency response team, Del Mar College (DMC) Continuing Education has a new career training opportunity that can get you there. And, it’s free. Starting later in February, the College will begin a new six-month Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Health Care Program, which is designed as a pathway to becoming an in-demand Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The program requires online application and acceptance, which is now underway. The EMR and Health Care Program is made possible from a $250,000 Texas Reskilling and Upskilling Through Education (TRUE) Grant awarded to the College by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in mid-December. The grant runs through the end of this year. The EMR and Health Care Program is designed for short-term completion and certification and stacks Continuing Education credentials upon the Public Service Department’s requirements for an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technician degree. The EMT pathway is listed as a high-demand occupation on both the THECB’s 2024 high demand occupational field list as well as the local Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend’s Targeted Occupation list for 2022-2023. TRUE Grant funding for the new program allows DMC Continuing Education to cover accepted applicants’ tuition, textbooks and other training materials, uniforms and testing and certification fees. Students are required to follow the course progression and certification exam schedule to successfully complete the program (available on information and application page). Questions may be directed to DMC Continuing Education at 361-698-1769 or cegrants@delmar.edu or the Public Service Department at mstuive@delmar.edu. The first accepted cohort will begin with three courses, including CPR for Healthcare Workers on Feb. 19, Medical Terminology on Feb. 20 and Electrocardiography on March 5. All three courses will meet at the College’s Center for Economic Development at 3209 S. Staples, but the program also includes course scheduling on the Windward Campus. Students will have access to all DMC support services, including professional resume writing services, counseling services, food pantry assistance and participation during industry job fairs. Additionally, program participants who choose to continue their pathway to the College’s EMT degree program will have access to student advisors to explore their financial aid options through DMC Financial Aid Services or Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend for funding. For individuals interested in applying for the program, eligibility requirements are as follows: · must be 18 years of age or older, · must be a U.S. citizen or certified to work in the United States, · must have a high school diploma/GED or higher education, · pass a background check, · pass a drug screen, and · must be available for an in-person follow-up to provide required documents. The Coordinating Board’s TRUE Grant Program supports the goals of the state’s strategic plan for higher education, Building a Talent Strong Texas, through the creation, expansion or redesign of workforce education and training credential programs in high-demand occupations. The College’s current TRUE Grant award is the fourth that DMC Continuing Education has received to meet the state’s goals and the in-demand workforce needs across the Coastal Bend. “This TRUE Grant will have a tremendous impact among our healthcare partners as we meet their skilled workforce needs, along with Coastal Bend communities where residents can benefit from either participating in the EMR and Health Care Program or being served by the professionals Del Mar College produces over this next year,” Dr. Rivera noted.
- #Code_IT Campers learn to build and program robots with focus on Artificial IntelligenceArticle by Melinda Eddleman The #Code_IT Camp at Del Mar College (DMC) has become a popular summer activity for middle schoolers with the West Oso Independent School District (ISD), along with other youth from around Corpus Christi. In fact, all 18 seats for the second week of the highly sought-after camp, or 36 seats if you count both weeks of camp, filled up early with a waiting list already set for summer 2025. This year marked the sixth time the College has offered the camp for sixth through eighth graders, who have the opportunity to spend some summertime learning the principles of computer science, programming and coding. Scheduled consecutively June 17-28, DMC offered the two 2024 camps free to participants thanks to a $23,100 Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) grant as part of the commission’s Camp Code Program. The TWC’s program was developed as part of the overall goal of keeping the state and its workforce globally competitive in what is now a high-tech world. Grant funds support coding camps across Texas that address the state’s initiative to show young minds the possibilities that await them by encouraging students to pursue high-tech STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. Second-week campers had the opportunity to show off their skills to news media on June 26 by taking over the Venters Building Atrium on the Heritage Campus and demonstrated the advanced coding they learned to program robots. Developed and conducted by DMC Computer Science faculty as a team-building experience, the #Code_IT Camp offers several levels of coding curriculum focused on spatial reasoning, computer programming, logic and design and text-based coding. Campers are exposed to computational thinking and programming languages such as JavaScript and Python. During the first week, campers learned programming and how to build robots––including Sphero Bolt Robots and GoPiGo with Raspberry Pi. The second camp, which is more advanced, engaged students in Artificial Intelligence or AI-focused curriculum using online applications like Trinket and Google’s Scratch for CS First. Campers were also introduced to opportunities to join organizations like FIRST Robotics at their perspective ISDs, which connects them with a local FIRST Robotics team. Additionally, the highly-successful competitive Collegiate High School Robotics Team taught, demonstrated and conducted fun robotics exercises with the second camp students. By the time the #Code_IT Camp ended June 28, all participants had engaged in eight hours of classroom instruction each week and performed 70 hours of hands-on activities combined using four types of robots with advanced programming. “Our hope is that camp participants are inspired and their passion ignited to pursue STEM studies, especially computer science,” noted Betz. Attending this year’s #Code_IT Camp at Del Mar College is one step in the right direction.
- Del Mar College Closed Tomorrow, June 20, Due to Weather ConditionsArticle by DMC College Relations Due to anticipated inclement weather from Tropical Storm Alberto, Del Mar College officials have chosen to close the college tomorrow (Thursday), June 20, including the Heritage, Windward and Oso Creek Campuses and the DMC Center for Economic Development. All classes and summer camps are canceled. If needed during the closure, essential employees will be contacted by their supervisors. Normal operations and classes are expected to resume at 7:30 a.m. Friday, June 21. DMC and students are encouraged to continue monitoring the DMC website (www.delmar.edu), email, social media channels and news media outlets for weather-related updates. The health and safety of students, employees and guests are Del Mar College’s foremost concern. College officials will continue to assess weather developments and change plans if needed. Everyone is advised to exercise appropriate caution through this and all weather events. Please avoid flooded areas and roads – Turn around, don’t drown – and observe beach conditions, including riptides.
- TWC awards two grants totaling nearly $1.3 million to DMC Continuing Education & Off-Campus Programs’ Adult Education Initiatives DivisionArticle by Melinda Eddleman The end game is to prepare Coastal Bend residents for well-paying, in-demand jobs among the local workforce. But for some adults, finding that employment may be difficult because they either don’t have a high school diploma, don’t speak English proficiently enough or may be dealing with both situations. The Del Mar College (DMC) Continuing Education & Off-Campus Programs Department and their Adult Education Initiatives Division are about to change those odds. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded to the division two grants totaling $1,289,923 through the Commission’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program. Both are two-year grants that begin July 1 and run through June 30, 2026 , with the possibility of three one-year extensions for each grant. The first AEL grant for $894,251 covers instruction and resources for residents living in Aransas, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces and San Patricio Counties who need to earn their high school equivalency certificates. The second, a $395,672 AEL grant, targets residents who speak English as a second language who need to improve their communication skills to successfully pursue other coursework that builds toward their employability, including completing their high school equivalency if need be. The second grant includes residents living in 10 counties, including those already mentioned, along with Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells and Refugio Counties. “Statistics show that approximately 17 percent of those over age 25 do not have a high school diploma or the equivalent in the Coastal Bend region; and in Nueces County alone, more than 26 percent of residents speak another primary language other than English,” added Rachel M. Benavides, Senior Director of Continuing & Community Education, who oversees the College’s Adult Education Initiatives Division and applied for the two grants. “We want to lower those figures and provide residents living in communities the College serves the resources to improve their way of life through education and career training that will last a lifetime.” The goal is to serve about 635 residents each year who need to complete their high school credentials, including over 50 individuals who are incarcerated, paroled or on probation. The DMC Adult Education Initiatives Division has also set a benchmark to reach each year about 300 individuals whose primary language is not English. Overall, the two grants will serve over 930 students each year. Grant funds will cover the cost of faculty, equipment and software. Funds also are available for students wanting to participate in dual-enrollment that includes pursuing a career training pathway among Continuing Education’s workforce training programs while earning their high school equivalency certificate. This route provides tuition-free training and support services offered by the College. For students identified as ready to take the high school equivalency test, TWC grant funds will cover the cost through a voucher, or the DMC Foundation will cover the fee. The Adult Education Initiatives Division provides basic and Continuing Education pathways for students who need to complete their high school equivalency diploma through one of the following pathways: · Adult Basic Education: helps prepare individuals to take the high school equivalency certification test. · English as a Second Language: assists individuals with improving their basic English communication skills. · Adult & Career Education (Career Pathway): individuals can co-enroll to prepare for the high school equivalency certification test while attending one of Continuing Education’s fast-track workforce training programs, including those targeting healthcare and construction trades fields. Dr. Rivera noted, “Once individuals reach necessary competency levels and complete their pathway through our Adult Education Initiatives Program, they can pursue additional opportunities that will build on their accomplishment and provide additional skills and knowledge they need to enter the workforce.” Dr. Rivera noted, “Once individuals reach necessary competency levels and complete their pathway through our Adult Education Initiatives Program, they can pursue additional opportunities that will build on their accomplishment and provide additional skills and knowledge they need to enter the workforce.” DMC Continuing Education fast-track programs can be completed within four to 16 weeks through the Career and Industry Training and Health Care Training Programs. Or, individuals can pursue Workforce Skills Awards that transfer toward DMC academic programs focused on automotive, building maintenance, computer, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), instrumentation, millwright and welding training leading to certificates and associate degrees. “And, even after these individuals complete an associate degree, they can set their goals higher and earn the College’s new Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership degree,” added Dr. Rivera. “The potential is within reach for them to do so.” Overall, outcomes supported by the two AEL grants are Del Mar College and the TWC’s main goal … preparing Coastal Bend residents for in-demand fields through life-changing opportunities leading to completing their high school equivalency education to then acquire the skills and knowledge through higher education that support the local and Texas economy. Residents living in the 10-county area served by these grants can access information about Adult Education at www.delmar.edu/ce/index.html. They can also contact the DMC Adult Education Initiatives Division at 361-698-2101, 1-800-652-3357 (Option #5) or ael@delmar.edu.
