Del Mar College names Dr. Gerald F. Napoles as new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
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January
2026
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22:34 PM
Europe/Amsterdam
Community college leader brings more than 25 years of experience in student success, strategic partnerships, and institutional innovation to DMC’s executive team
Article by DMC College Relations Office
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Dr. Napoles brings experience and leadership that aligns with Del Mar College’s mission to elevate student success. He understands the value of partnerships and innovation, and we’re excited for what that means for the Coastal Bend and beyond.
Dr. Mark Escamilla, DMC President and Chief Executive Officer
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Gerald Fernandez Napoles_New DMC Executive Vice President and Chierf Operating Officer
Throughout his career, Dr. Napoles has built meaningful partnerships with K-12 school districts, economic development boards, industry, and nonprofit organizations to expand workforce training, dual credit access, transfer pathways and student support. He’s known for community-focused leadership and aligning college initiatives with regional needs.
His leadership at Lone Star College includes roles as President of the North Harris campus, Interim President at CyFair, CEO of System Office–University Park and Special Assistant to the Chancellor. Previously, he served in Kentucky as Senior Vice President of Student and Organizational Success and Vice President of Student Affairs at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College.
Dr. Napoles has served as an accreditation liaison and reviewer with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the accrediting body for both Del Mar and Lone Star College. Nationally, he served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges and has worked with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development NISOD, the Center for Community College Student Engagement and Achieving the Dream, leading national organizations focused on student success and institutional excellence.
A first-generation college student, Dr. Napoles began his journey at Dallas College-Richland Campus. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University, a master’s from the University of North Texas and a doctorate in Education Administration with a focus on community college leadership from The University of Texas at Austin. In 2024, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Dallas College.
Dr. Napoles will officially begin his new role at Del Mar College in early April.
About Del Mar College
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.
Latest DMC News
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- Del Mar College names retired Drama faculty member Michael “Kim” Frederick as newest Professor EmeritusArticle b: Richard Guerrero, Jr. He could have been a welder all his life, but the lure of the stage proved irresistible to retired Del Mar College (DMC) theatre educator Michael “Kim” Frederick. He chose to leave behind a lucrative career and start down the path toward teaching back in 1979. But it wasn’t just the performing bug that bit him. Frederick fell in love with teaching from the very first day and never looked back. Recently, college officials announced the conferral of the title Professor Emeritus of Drama to Frederick, recognizing his career defined by passion, service and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of the arts. He was awarded the distinction during the DMC Board of Regents regular monthly meeting on Dec. 9. “Emeritus” status is among the highest honors the college can bestow and is reserved for faculty whose careers reflect distinguished service, meritorious teaching and significant contributions to higher education. For more than 36 years, Frederick embodied those ideals on the stage, in the classroom and throughout the community. As a Professor of Drama, Frederick served as an exemplary educator and mentor, teaching a wide range of theater courses, developing new curricula, and directing more than 50 productions. His work supported the college’s earliest Dual Enrollment students and helped generations of learners discover confidence, discipline and voice through theater. His dedication to teaching excellence was recognized statewide when the Texas Association of Theatre Educators named him Community College Educator of the Year in 2017. Beyond the classroom, Frederick’s leadership shaped the growth and national standing of Del Mar College’s Drama Program. He served for more than two decades as Drama Program Coordinator and later as Chair of the Art and Drama Department. Through thoughtful assessment and continuous improvement, he was instrumental in achieving national accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Theatre—a milestone that elevated the Drama Program and its students. Frederick also championed the creation of new art and drama facilities, including the Sue Finley Theatre, which opened in 2012 and remains a cornerstone of campus cultural life. DMC Professor of Drama Carl Yowell was by Frederick’s side for nearly three decades as a colleague and reflected on the experience as he spoke in favor of the designation during the board’s meeting. “Kim inspired all of us, his colleagues, to put in the extra time beyond our teaching load and our typical production loads to come and do this in service to the college,” Yowell said. “He was the Pied Piper in our merry band.” Frederick’s influence extended well beyond Del Mar College. A lifelong advocate for the arts, he served on the City of Corpus Christi Arts and Cultural Commission and led a team of community leaders in crafting the presentation that earned Corpus Christi the prestigious “All-America City” designation in 2003. Known for his clarity, humor and unmistakable directorial presence, Frederick brought artists, educators, civic leaders and students together—always meeting people where they were and inviting them to rise higher. DMC President and CEO Dr. Mark Escamilla, noted that Frederick’s passion for the college was an inspiration to him as he was getting his bearings during the early days of his own tenure. “You've been a guide for so many, a mentor for so many. Your spirit and your love for theater and everything – all things arts, all things Del Mar – resonates all throughout the community. It still does. It always will,” Dr. Escamilla said. Even in retirement, Frederick’s commitment continues. Through the Kim Frederick Endowed Drama Scholarship Fund, which awarded its first scholarship in spring 2025, he is investing in the future of Del Mar College students and the art form he loves. By unanimously approving “emeritus” status, the Board of Regents acknowledged not only Frederick’s professional accomplishments but also the personal legacy he leaves behind: a mentor whose passion was unmistakable, a colleague whose leadership inspired extra effort and deep loyalty and an educator who chose purpose over comfort while never looking back. “This college has a great legacy of recognizing service. If you look at Heritage Campus, look at the names: Coles, Venters, Heldenfels, Anzaldua, Creighton, Garcia, St. Clair, Wolfe, Bartlett, Richardson, Finley and Cain,” Yowell said during the Board meeting. “These are not donors. These are people who gave the minutes, hours, days and years of their lives in service to this institution and its community. And Kim is among that number–the minutes and hours and days and years of his life [that he gave to us all].” Upon the Board’s conferral, Frederick said that his greatest relationship was with DMC and noted that even through many changes over the years, his passion for the college’s theater program only grew with time. He urged regents to champion the performing arts going forward. “I hope that we all see behind or ahead of the curve on what is a major of consequence or a major of value, and the majors that our students want to study is of consequence and of value,” he said of fine arts, adding of his new title: “I am so blessed. This a great honor.” Professor Emeritus… Frederick’s new title says it all…his life’s work that enriched students, strengthened programs and forever shaped artistic and educational legacies at Del Mar College.
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- Del Mar College Foundation announces two new scholarships honoring retiring Executive Vice President and COO Lenora Keas during recent Board of Regents meetingArticle by Melinda Eddleman She has served in many roles during her 43-year career at Del Mar College (DMC). The list is long and includes such titles as Professor, Department Chair, Executive Director, Interim Provost and more; and currently, Lenora Keas serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. College officials announced Keas’ retirement in September, which will be Jan. 31. During last week’s Board of Regents regular monthly meeting on Dec. 9, regents held a special recognition for Keas to honor her years of service and impact on the lives of students, fellow employees and the business and general communities across South Texas’ Coastal Bend region. Of Keas, Board Chair Carol A. Scott read, “Her contributions to the college cannot be overstated, and her vision and dedication have left an indelible mark on Del Mar College and the Coastal Bend. The Board of Regents wishes Lenora all the best in her next chapter and with deep gratitude for your years of service to Del Mar College and the students of South Texas.” Regents then took turns acknowledging working with Keas as and sharing parting words, along with DMC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mark Escamilla. He concluded, “On behalf of the entire community, the Del Mar College community and the greater South Texas community, we thank you for your love and devotion to this institution.” Vice President of Development and Donor Advising Matthew Busby also announced two new scholarships established to honor Keas’ contributions to the college and the South Texas community throughout her career. Having grown up around the Rockport area, Keas has led the college’s acquisition and renovation initiative for the Del Mar College Workforce Development Center–Aransas County to expand higher education in the region (read the release), which is attributable to the establishment of a scholarship focused on that area’s workforce development. A web page has been set up for anyone to gift any size donation supporting these scholarships and can visit give.delmar.edu/lenorakeas. Additionally, the DMC Foundation will begin taking scholarship applications online for the next academic year (2026-2027) beginning Feb. 1, 2026. During the Dec. 9 recognition, the Board of Regents also gifted to Keas a favorite pelican painting she admired that hung in Rockport’s City Hall. Regent David Loeb recalled a trip he and Keas made to discuss with city leaders some coding issues related to the college’s renovation project. “Lenora and I were sitting [there], and she was looking at this painting,” he explained. “I asked her if she liked it, and she said ‘Yes.’” So, this gift is to you from the Board,” he added as the painting was presented. Keas then spoke and noted, “The reason I love pelicans is because when I come back in life, I'm going to be a brown pelican that dives in the water […] not the pretty kind but the spunky kind that gets in the water and eats the fish.” Keas also addressed colleagues with words she had written sometime in the past:
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- DMC Board of Regents holding workshop and regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 9Article by DMC College Relations Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a workshop beginning at 11 a.m. and their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development located at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map. The college will also livestream the regular meeting. 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: • 11 a.m. Workshop: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/workshop-packet-12-9-25.pdf • 1 p.m. Regular Meeting: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/regular-board-agenda-packet-12-9-25.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.
