DEL MAR COLLEGE - Key Persons
Alex is an Accounting Assistant for the DMC Foundation. He is a Corpus Christi native and a lifelong Coastal Bend resident. Alex earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master of Accountancy degree both from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Following graduation, Alex worked in public accounting for two local CPA firms.
After a few years in public accounting, Alex decided to enroll at Del Mar College to pursue a health care related career and later graduated with an Associate degree. Although he found the health care field fascinating, he soon realized that what he really enjoys is being around higher education.
Alex began working in higher education at Del Mar College. He started as an adjunct accounting instructor. Next he became an academic tutor at the DMC Student Success Center where he primarily tutored business subjects such as accounting and economics; although, he also tutored college math and writing.
Alex greatly enjoyed helping students achieve success in their academic pursuits. And now, he is grateful for this new opportunity to work with the DMC Foundation and to continue helping support Del Mar College and its mission.
Some of Alex's many interests include traveling, learning as much about history as he can, and always learning more about horticulture and landscape design.
Job Titles:
- Donor Experience Coordinator / Del Mar College Foundation
Alexandra is the Donor Experience Coordinator for the Del Mar College Foundation development team.
As a second generation American and first-generation university graduate, Alexandra is passionate about empowering first generation minority students through higher education.
In her role, Alexandra works collaboratively with the development team and college community to create bespoke donor events that amplify the impact and mission of Del Mar College.
Job Titles:
- Chairman St. Philips College
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- President
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Secretary
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant II / Del Mar College Foundation
- Well - Organized Administrative Assistant
Belinda Cisneros is a confident and well-organized Administrative Assistant who supports various projects in the Office of Development/Foundation department. She is a highly approachable individual who has a pleasant attitude and a willingness to positively affect every individual she encounters at the Del Mar College Foundation and even outside of the College.
When not at work, Belinda enjoys spending time with her family and traveling with her husband of 32 years. She is a graduate of Roy Miller High School.
Job Titles:
- College Outreach Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director of Accounting / Budget Officer
Job Titles:
- Data and Technology Manager for the Foundation
- Foundation Data and Technology Manager
Cecelia Gonzales is the Data and Technology Manager for the Foundation. She was born and raised in Kingsville, TX. She has a BBA in Management (2009) and an MBA in Business Administration (2014) from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Most recently Cecelia hails from KEDT as the Director of Fundraising Events, South Texas Public Broadcasting System. Her two favorite jobs besides this one were as a student worker at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, which was her first experience in the development field, and as a Vet Tech at Hubert Veterinary Hospital because of her love for animals.
Cecelia really enjoys live music and concerts. And still, one of the most important things to her is animals. She serves as the Community Member on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. All of her pets are rescues. Her dogs, Roscoe and Dodger, plus her cat, Pepper, were very recently joined by a little black kitten, Salem, that found his way to Cecelia. She says, "It's hard to say ‘no' to a tiny kitten that walks up to you on the street and claims you as its own!"
Job Titles:
- Vice - President of Programs
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Membership
Job Titles:
- Development Officer / Del Mar College Foundation
Cynthia has been with Del Mar College Foundation since 2016 and has served as the Development Officer since January 2022. Presently, she plans and executes Annual Giving campaigns and nurtures relationships with donors in South Texas and beyond.
Job Titles:
- Dean, Workforce Development and Corporate Services
Job Titles:
- Student Enrollment Center
- Student Enrollment Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Vice President
Job Titles:
- Donor Advising Officer / Del Mar College Foundation
- Officer With Del Mar College Foundation
Denise is the donor advising officer with Del Mar College Foundation and develops relationships with donors and the Corpus Christi community . Previously, she joined Del Mar College in August 2021 as a Program Coordinator with the Corporate Services team. She was provided with the opportunity to join the Small Business Development Center in October 2021 as a Small Business Advisor. While in this position, Denise was able to develop relationships with small business owners and provide one on one confidential business advice.
Prior to joining Del Mar College, Denise owned her own small business that she was able to grow through her dedication to education, community relations, and employee development. Furthermore, Denise held customer service, regulatory, procurement, and analyst positions within a gas/electric utility company and accredits her interest in business and leadership drive to the examples shown to her during her tenure.
Dr. Alison Marks (she/her/hers) is Licensed Psychologist who grew up in San Antonio before heading to Austin to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas. She has also earned a Masters of Science in Counseling & Counseling Education from Indiana University and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Dr. Marks is a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-TMH) who enjoys exploring the use of social media and technology to broaden access to mental health care, expand the scope of outreach and prevention education, and improve individual wellness.
Alison empowers clients to explore the interactions between their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and life circumstances as an avenue for making small-yet-powerful changes in their lives through the use of a compassionate and individualized approach anchored in third wave psychotherapies; including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Mindfulness.
For more than a decade Alison has been providing individual counseling, couples therapy, group counseling, and crisis intervention at university counseling centers and community mental health clinics around the country. This experience has allowed her to develop specialties in working with relationships, intimacy, gender and sexuality concerns. She is experienced in working with diverse populations and is a sex-positive & LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist who is comfortable working with diverse power & relationship dynamics, including non-monogamous relationships. In addition to this specialty, Alison also has extensive experience working with clients struggling with academic concerns, anxiety disorders (including obsession & compulsion related concerns), executive functioning difficulties (including ADHD), mood disorders, personality disorders, and stress management.
Alison recognizes the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and has a wide variety of interests and hobbies she turns to for self-care. She is a life-long "cat lady" and has also become a "plant mom" of an ever-expanding succulent and houseplant collection. Her love of animals and nature also extends to her bird watching and photography hobbies. Alison also enjoys crafting, board games, and anything having to do performing arts (e.g., TV, movies, theater, comedy, magic, spoken word, etc.).
Life quote Alison lives by: "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Job Titles:
- Chief Academic Officer
- Vice President
Dr. Jonda Halcomb
Vice President and Chief Academic Officer
HA-137
(361) 698-1205
jhalcomb@delmar.edu
Leti Clark
Assistant to the Vice President and Chief Academic Officer
HA-137
(361) 698-1036
lclark14@delmar.edu
Michelle Hernandez
Executive Administrative Assistant
HA-136
(361) 698-1205
mhernandez71@delmar.edu
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President, Continuing Education and off - Campus Programs
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Strategic and Operational Initiatives
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for Del Mar College Foundation
- Scholarship Coordinator
Elsie Odom serves as the Scholarship Coordinator for Del Mar College Foundation. In her current role, she oversees the Foundation's scholarship program, including strategic planning and implementation, data management, awarding, processing, and scholarship reception event. The Foundation partners with corporations, community organizations, foundations, and individuals in raising funds for student scholarships and programs. Elsie awards nearly $2 million in scholarships to students each academic year.
Prior to joining Del Mar College in 2011, Elsie served as Stewardship Officer at Rice University for five years. Elsie has broad-based knowledge of the sector with more than 14 years of experience in higher education. This experience gives her a deep appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life for students. Her passion lies in helping students succeed and achieve their dreams. Her motto is, "Never give up."
Elsie holds a bachelors degree from the University of Houston-Victoria and is a member of TACCF and TACHE.
Elsie loves spending time with family, especially with her daughter, cooking, gardening, and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Information Security Officer
Job Titles:
- Counselor
- Licensed Professional Counselor
Heidi Khatibi is a recent transplant to Corpus Christi, moving here in the Fall of 2022 from Chicago, IL. She completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regent University in Virginia. She has spent most of her career working in college and university settings and is passionate about working with students in higher education. Her areas of professional interest include anxiety, depression, interpersonal/relationship concerns, traumatic life events, healthy boundaries, and life transitions.
Heidi is a Licensed Professional Counselor and utilizes concepts associated with Brief Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Collaborative Brief Therapy to assist students in gaining self-awareness, understanding the influence of the past on the present, evaluating established patterns and implementing positive change. She strives to create a safe space with genuineness, acceptance, and empathy as well as the believing that everyone has the capacity for personal growth and change.
Heidi practices her own self care by spending time with family, reading a good book, going for a run, or just spending time in nature.
Life quote Heidi lives by: We are what we are because we have been what we have been - Sigmund Freud
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Administration
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Human Resources
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Marketing
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief
- Information Officer
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Associate
Job Titles:
- Licensed Professional Counselor
Jessica Edwards is a Corpus Christi native who ventured off after high school to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio. There she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and went on to receive a Masters of Arts in Counseling.
In 2014, she returned to her hometown to begin her counseling career. Jessica is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has experience working with kids, adolescents, and adults. Her professional interests include helping clients gain healthy coping skills to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, stress, trauma, and grief and loss. She empowers clients through the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Collaborative Brief Therapy and incorporating relaxation and mindfulness techniques along the way. Jessica explores the mind-body connection to help clients achieve overall wellness. She strives to create an inclusive and safe environment for all her clients. Jessica joined the Counseling Center in 2017 and provides individual and couples counseling, group therapy, and crisis intervention. Jessica implemented the center's Anxiety Management Program - AMP - that teaches students coping skills using a brief one-on-one counseling approach. Jessica is passionate about educating others about mental health, as she works to support the DMC campus community through outreach events, presentations, Mental Health First Aid trainings, and consultations with faculty and staff members.
Jessica makes sure to find the time to practice her own self-care by working in the yard, adding another plant to her collection, and walking her two dachshunds. She enjoys spending time connecting with her family and friends and she also finds peace just spending a relaxing evening catching up on TV shows!
Life quote Jessica lives by: "Take time to stop and smell the flowers."
Job Titles:
- Chief for Corpus Christi Fire Department
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Foundation Services / Del Mar College Foundation
Joel has a BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M University - Kingsville. Joel assists the Executive Director of Development in the planning, coordinating and reporting roles of the Foundation's resource management function. This is accomplished through managing and coordinating associated functions and reporting on the administration of financial and scholarship matters associated with the Del Mar College Development and Foundation Services activities.
Joel also oversees the related financial and reporting functions associated with the DMC Foundation which operates as a separately chartered 50l(c)3 organization; manages and coordinates various databases associated with donor tracking, gift reporting, accounting and on-line scholarship management, oversees departmental training on databases. Other duties include providing the administrative duties of supervising one or more staff members and working with volunteer committees associated with the Foundation Board as directed.
Job Titles:
- Donor Advising Officer / Del Mar College Foundation
- Officer at Del Mar College Foundation
As a donor advising officer at Del Mar College Foundation, Kelsey Chopelas connects individuals, corporations, and private foundations to philanthropic opportunities benefiting DMC students. Kelsey believes closing the gap between financial need and education is the key to an improved quality of life and a stronger workforce in the Coastal Bend.
Prior to joining the Del Mar College Foundation team in 2021, Kelsey worked in business development for a national consulting firm with a primary focus in municipal projects. In addition, Kelsey brings experience from Texas Tech University, where she managed sponsored and gifted funds within the Department of Animal and Food Sciences.
Kelsey earned her Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Communications from Texas Tech University in 2012 and her Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 2022. Kelsey is a graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi Class 48 and a member of the steering committees for Class 50 and Class 51.
Kelsey also serves on the publicity committee for the Texas Association of Community College Foundations, and is a member of Texas Farm Bureau.
In her free time, Kelsey can be found enjoying the outdoors alongside her husband, Colin, and their four-legged children, Gracie and Luna.
Job Titles:
- Development Coordinator, Part Time / Del Mar College Foundation
After growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kimberly served four years active duty, six years reserve and one deployment in the United States Navy. She earned a BA in business with a focus on marketing from Texas A&M- Corpus Christi while working full time. She has spent her career in the professional recruiting industry, in retail, contract assignments for the Corpus Christi Chamber Foundation and FUMC Capital Campaign and most recently in fundraising and prospect research. She is grateful for a part time position at the Del Mar College Foundation and a professional contract role with Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health which allows her to help make positive impact locally and statewide.
A graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi class 33 and of Texas Leadership 16. Kimberly was nominated Corpus Christi 40 under 40 in 2012. She has served on the board of American Fundraisers Professional Corpus Christi Chapter, Leadership Corpus Christi Alumni Association, Vinson Morris Child Center and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Alumni Association. She currently serves on The Corpus Christi First United Methodist Church Foundation, Inc., and volunteers as a peer leader for Women Veterans Network.
Of all these roles, the most treasured is wife (14 years and counting) to her best friend Jim DeVisser, who is a battalion chief for Corpus Christi Fire Department. Step-mother to her chosen son and daughter Sophia (21), Nathan (24) and full time mother to her God given surviving and thriving kiddos Kekoa and Kailani (6).
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Executive Vice President
Job Titles:
- Assistant to the Vice President and Chief Academic Officer
Lisa Olmos, born and raised in Corpus Christi, first embarked on her educational journey as a Del Mar College Viking. She transferred to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and continued her dream by earning a Master of Science in Counseling. Lisa found her home working in higher education for the past 7 years and is proud to be back working with students at her alma mater.
Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She provides counseling for individual, couples, and groups while also offering faculty/staff consultations. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. She began working in the local behavioral hospitals conducting individual and group therapy for people struggling with symptoms of addiction, depression, thoughts of suicide, anger, and anxiety. She moved on to develop her professional career at a local counseling practice and Del Mar College. Lisa's professional interests include working collaboratively with clients to improve interpersonal relationships, self-worth, coping skills, and advocating for the deaf/hard of hearing community. Although not yet fluent, Lisa is passionate about learning more American Sign Language in order to offer mental health services. She utilizes Person Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy while providing a safe, comfortable space for her students.
Lisa is a strong advocate for self-care and holistic wellness. She often makes time for creative activities such as photography, painting, and journaling. She is also a self-proclaimed board-game junkie, pickle connoisseur, adventure-seeker, and an avid thriller-moviegoer. She believes humor is an essential life skill and always enjoys a good "dad joke."
Life quote Lisa lives by: "Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Media Relations
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Support Staff
Mary Alice Morales began her college career as a Viking. Mary Alice received her Associate's degree in Professional Secretary at Del Mar College and went on to get a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the University of Incarnate Word.
Prior to her position in the Counseling Center she started as an administrative assistant to the director of Counseling & Advising in 1989, where she assisted students with class schedule changes and performed general administrative duties. In her current position, she works closely with the counselors of Del Mar College and plays a pivotal role in providing exceptional services to faculty, staff, and students. She is the primary contact and assists with the coordination of various activities, meetings, and workshops.
Mary Alice has been a foster care provider in her home for disabled individuals and individuals struggling with mental health diagnoses. Mary Alice spends her quality time with her grandchildren. She enjoys watching horror movies, football (Go Cowboys!), bingo, and going fishing.
Life quote Mary Alice lives by: "A negative mind will never give you a positive life!" - Ziad K. Abdelnour
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Development
- Vice President of Development & Donor Advising / Del Mar College Foundation
Matthew Busby serves as the Vice President of Development & Donor Advising. The fuel that drives him is the confidence his work empowers people in our community to earn their education, thereby improving their lives in very meaningful and significant ways. He loves getting to building authentic relationships and collaborate with philanthropic supporters and facilitate meaningful giving.
He provides collaborative leadership on the College's executive team, the Foundation Board of Trustees and within the division. Matthew is focused on building systematic, sustainable, and data-driven initiatives that change the culture of education and philanthropy within the College and our Coastal Bend community. Since joining Del Mar in 2019, Foundation fundraising, scholarships and emergency aid awards have achieved all-time records. In his role as executive director of the Del Mar College Foundation, he partners with the volunteer board to strategically synchronize support efforts for the benefit of the College's students, faculty and programs. Prior to joining Del Mar College in January of 2019, he spent ten years between College of the Mainland and Hill College, serving in financial aid, academic advising and fundraising positions.
A sixth-generation Texan, Matthew has a master's degree in management & leadership from Western Governor's University, a bachelor's degree in political science from Baylor University and an associate's degree in general studies from Temple College. He loves spending time with his family and friends; being outside; reading; piano; dancing and genealogy.
A sixth-generation Texan, Matthew has a master's degree in management & leadership from Western Governor's University, a bachelor's degree in political science from Baylor University and an associate's degree in general studies from Temple College. He loves spending time with his family and friends; being outside; reading; piano; dancing and genealogy.
Job Titles:
- Executive Administrative Assistant
Is named in honor of Mr. Ivory Moore, a retired educator and administrator at Texas A&M at Commerce (formerly East Texas State University), and founder of the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education.
Must be a student currently enrolled in an accredited graduate program (masters or doctoral program).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Research Associate
- Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Student Enrollment Specialist
Job Titles:
- College Outreach Specialist
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Vice President
Job Titles:
- Public & Government Affairs Manager, ExxonMobil Chemical Company
Job Titles:
- Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate
- LPC - Associate
Steven McFarlin is an Arkansas native who earned his Bachelors degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2009. Steven moved to Corpus Christi in 2017 to begin his master's degree at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where he focused on clinical mental health.
In 2020, Steven began working at Del Mar College as a Career Counselor and, as of 2021, has moved into mental health counseling at the Counseling Center. He has experience working with adults and minors dealing with crisis situations as well as working with adults dealing with substance use challenges, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues. While he's passionate about working with any student who has shown the courage to seek counseling, Steven's primary interest areas have been working with gender and affectional minorities, as well as ethnic minorities and those students who have a history of legal involvement.
Steven is a Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate. He utilizes concepts associated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), and Collaborative Brief Therapy to assist students in overcoming challenges that life may bring. He focuses on working with students to create a holistic, informed approach to life while fostering an inclusive and non-judgmental space for students to find assistance and support.
Steven provides individual counseling, couples and group counseling, and crisis intervention. He enjoys educating faculty, staff, and students on mental health subjects through presentations and webinars, as well as education on diversity within different communities.
Steven finds time to utilize his self-care skills by playing PC-based games, taking his dogs for a walk, and keeping up with his favorite TV shows. Steven is a lifelong learner so he also enjoys gaining knowledge about the populations with which he works, in his free time, through documentaries and web series.
Life quote Steven lives by: "If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own." -Henry Ford
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Institutional Research
Tera Peeler is a Michigan native however was raised in Corpus Christi, TX. Tera began her educational journey as a Viking at Del Mar College and went on to complete her bachelor's degree in psychology and Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Texas A&M University of Corpus Christi. Tera is a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience working with several populations using evidenced-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
Tera is confident in her abilities to reach, empower, and teach new helpful skills while collaborating with clients on subjects such as anxiety, stress management, depression, suicidality, self-esteem concerns, Bipolar Disorder, grief and loss, and coping skills/mindfulness/relaxation techniques. She has a history of working in a behavioral hospital facilitating group and individual therapy. More recently, she found herself in forensics and employed at the Nueces County Jail and the local mental health authority, MHID. Tera is dedicated and passionate about continuing to promote, maintain, and restore mental health while developing a compassionate and authentic counselor-client relationship. Empowering others to build independence and resilience is important to her.
Tera maintains her own mental health by spending quality time with family and friends, singing along and dancing at live music performances, self-reflecting by any body of water, going to the theatre to watch films, collecting vintage/art/records, and supporting all things local. When Tera is not feeling social, you may find her diving into true crime documentaries.
Life quote Tera lives by: The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. -Carl Jung
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor Emeritus
Job Titles:
- Vice - President of Public Relations
Victoria earned a M.A., from The of University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley and a M.S., from Oklahoma State University. She also attended University of Texas - San Antonio for her B.S. in Political Science and Cultural Anthropology. She values higher education and has a deep appreciation for helping others pursue their dreams.
When she isn't working, Victoria enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog. Her hobbies include gardening; home décor and paper crafting. She is very grateful to join Del Mar College Foundation and is ready to help Texas students achieve their goals.
Victoria Medellin joined Del Mar College Foundation team in June of 2021 as a part of the support staff. She is originally from deep South Texas and has spent her career in various universities and contract positions.