Del Mar College Awarded $206K Perkins Leadership Grant

Del Mar College

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (News Release) - Del Mar College (DMC) continues to build on its reputation as a leader in workforce development with the recent announcement by Gov. Greg Abbott that it is one of 13 Texas public two-year, postsecondary institutions awarded a Perkins Leadership Grant. Funding will be used for the development of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

DMC will receive a $206,000 Perkins Leadership Grant for the recruitment and retention of CTE educators, specifically postsecondary nursing educators. The funds will allow the College to strengthen the pipeline of educators in the Department of Nurse Education as part of an ongoing effort to address the shortage of qualified nursing faculty and expand access to high-demand nursing credentials in South Texas. 

Perkins Leadership Grant projects are designed to inform and improve CTE-based grant activities at the state level. Grant proposals are accepted in the following categories: “Emerging and Current High-Demand Credentials,” “Prison Education – Preparing for Reentry and Recruitment” and “Retention of CTE Educators in Postsecondary Education.”

Perkins Leadership Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to eligible two-year, public postsecondary institutions in Texas. DMC was one of four colleges and two college districts to receive a Perkins Leadership Grant in the category for Recruitment and Retention of CTE Educators in Postsecondary Education. 

Dr. Jennifer Sramek, DMC Dean of Business, Entrepreneurship and Health Sciences, said the initiative will provide structured mentorship for new faculty, expand professional development opportunities and strengthen faculty retention. Key goals for the initiative include at least 90% full-time nursing faculty retention and increased participation in professional development opportunities.  

“Increased faculty capacity is expected to create 30 to 40 additional nursing student seats by Fall 2027 while maintaining a 90% retention and completion rate at the registered nurse program’s exit level,” Sramek said. “The project aligns with Perkins V priorities for recruiting, preparing and retaining CTE educators, along with Building a Talent Strong Texas goals, for strengthening the health care workforce and increasing credential attainment.”  

The project seeks to create a faculty development model that focuses on mentor training, onboarding, instructional preparation and continuous evaluation that can be replicated by other Texas institutions.

“The Perkins Leadership Grant provides Del Mar College with an important opportunity to strengthen and grow our nursing education program,” Sramek noted. “These funds will help us build capacity, support the preparation of future nursing professionals and respond to the workforce needs of our community.” 

“Ultimately, this investment supports both student success and a stronger health care workforce in the Coastal Bend,” she added.