Del Mar College and Tesla Partnership to Boost Skills
Del Mar College
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (News Release) - In partnership with Tesla, Del Mar College (DMC) launched a Chemical Operations Internship with the first cohort starting this fall at the Tesla Gulf Coast Lithium Refinery and cathode production at Gigafactory Texas in Austin. The internship offers early-career opportunities for students to gain industry experience while developing their expertise through higher education.
“We’re excited about the value this partnership brings to Nueces County through developing skills and opportunities that will accelerate a sustainable energy economy,” said Jason Bevan, Senior Manager Site Operations at Tesla Lithium Refinery.
Eleven interns were selected for the inaugural program, which runs for 16 weeks and includes students and graduates from the college’s Process Technology and Industrial Instrumentation Programs with the Industrial Technology Department. Interns include Nadia Barrera, Bradley Boren, Brian Garza, Christopher Karl, Raul Mora, Stan Perkins, Matthew Perez, Albert Soliz, James Vesely, Alan Villarreal and Jordon Wolfe.
These students have the opportunity for a sponsored scholarship or full-time roles at Tesla after successfully completing their internship.
“Through Tesla’s internships, Del Mar College’s first participants are gaining invaluable experience and building a foundation for successful careers that will not only support the Coastal Bend’s economy but also impact state- and national-level competition as part of the global energy sector,” said Davis Merrell, Dean of DMC’s Industry and Public Service Division. “This first cohort is demonstrating the quality training the college provides that leads to opportunities industry partners such as Tesla extend to our students and graduates while expanding their own workforce.”
High-achieving DMC students and graduates participating in the program are developing quality control and equipment operation skills to help increase the supply of lithium and cathode in North America, making it local to Texas.
Chemical Operations Intern and DMC Process Technology major Stan Perkins II noted, “Working at Tesla provides on-the-job experience to troubleshoot issues in real-time, an understanding of day-to-day safety operations and the opportunity to apply what I’ve already learned. Through this internship, I’m helping drive sustainable energy right here in Corpus Christi and build the next evolution of chemical refining in the Bay Area.”
The partnership runs through 2026. Tesla representatives shared future opportunities and recruited the next cohort of DMC students last month for spring internships.
“Del Mar College administrators, staff, faculty and students are enthusiastic about our partnership with Tesla. Our relationship will take the college and our region to greater heights while benefitting our students and their families,” said Dan Korus, DMC Dean of Workforce Programs and Corporate Services. “We’re very grateful for the opportunity to partner with Tesla and look forward to seeing the success it will bring.”
