Support Services

There are five general types of support services that help you from beginning to end.

The Division of Student Engagement and Retention provides essential information about the College, its policies, campus life, peer tutoring, career and personal counseling, new student orientation, and much, much more.

1. Student Success Center

The Student Success Center (SSC), located in the Venters Business Building on the Heritage Campus, provides academic support for students who want assistance outside of the regular classroom.

SSC provides the following services:

  • 24/7 homework assistance via Tutor.com (on Canvas)
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Online Tutoring
  • Supplemental Instruction (housed in Room 109)
  • Technology Resource Center (includes a full computer lab with PC’s, laptops, and calculator checkout program)
  • Success Coach - academic support, mentoring, and group/individual workshops to promote retention and completion
Student Success Center Office Hours
Day of the Week Fall/Spring Hours Summer Hours
Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All services are free. For more information about the SSC's services, call (361) 698-2265 or visit the Student Success Center section of the Del Mar College website..

2. New Student Orientation (The Viking Experience)

The Viking Experience facilitates a successful academic and personal transition of new students and their families into the Del Mar College community. New Student Orientation is designed to help students:

  • Prepare for academic life at Del Mar College (Advising and Registration)
  • Make new friends
  • Explore the campus and its resources
  • Learn about activities and campus life
  • Learn about relevant policies and regulations
  • Familiarize themselves (and their families) with the College experience

New Student Orientation familiarizes prospective incoming and transfer students with essential information concerning College rules and regulations, student support services, advising, and registration. Attendance is mandatory because pertinent information is shared which enhances and improves a student's opportunity for success.

3. Career Development Office

The Career Development Office offers information, assistance, and guidance to you and alumni interested in identifying and planning a new career; preparing for employment; changing careers; or providing referrals to part-time, full-time, and career positions. Del Mar College works in conjunction with Texas Workforce Solutions to put you in touch with employers in our area and advise you about the targeted occupations that can afford the best opportunity for you. Del Mar College uses the Hire Vikings Job Portal for both applicants, alumni, and employers. More information on how to use the Hire Vikings Job Portal can be found in the Hire Vikings section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/becoming-a-viking/afford/dmcjobbank.html).

Workshops and individual appointments are available to help you with career goals, job search strategies, résumé writing, labor market information, and interviewing techniques.

The Career Development Department is located on the Heritage Campus in the Harvin Center, Room 174; the Windward Campus in the Emerging Technology Building, Room 108; and the Oso Creek Campus in the Main Central Building, Suite 317.

For more information, visit the Career Development Office, contact them directly at (361) 698-2467, or go online and view the Career Development section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/offices/engage/career-development.html).

4. Counseling Center

The Counseling Center provides short-term individual, couples, and group counseling. Licensed Professional Counselors are available to provide emotional support to students and assist with the development of social, behavioral, and other life skills.

The Counseling Center assists students in coping with obstacles, such as depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and other issues, which might otherwise interfere with educational and personal development. Crisis intervention is a service offered to students who are in serious or immediate emotional distress. Counselors are available and qualified to assist in emergencies, such as suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, reports of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, physical assaults, and other types of crises. Counselors may also suggest referrals to other community and college resources when appropriate. Both in-person and virtual services are available. All services are free and confidential.

Counselors are housed on both the Heritage Campus and Windward Campus. Students enrolled at the Del Mar College Oso Creek Campus may choose to travel to the Heritage or Windward Campus to access any student support services offered there or request a virtual telehealth appointment.

To schedule an appointment, call (361) 698-1586. To learn more about the Counseling Center Services, visit the Counseling Center section of the Del Mar College website (https://delmar.edu/offices/counseling).

5. Retention Services

Students experiencing situations that may impede their academic success—to include difficulty balancing life's priorities with the demands of attending college—are encouraged to contact the Center for Access and Advocacy to request an appointment with an Advocacy Specialist.

Advocacy Specialists provide deliberate services each semester to all students placed on probation or suspension via the Academic Recovery Program (ARP). Employing an outreach/connection/triage/linkage/ follow-up sequence across a Start Strong/Stay Strong/Finish Strong framework, Advocacy Specialists partner with students to raise their cumulative GPA until they attain "Good Scholastic Standing" with the College. Note: Students on Academic Probation or Suspension should visit the Advocacy Services section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/advocacy).

Additionally, Advocacy Specialists intervene with students when alerted by concerned faculty via the CARE Connection. Within this faculty-driven early warning alert system, Advocacy Specialists employ a holistic approach—again employing an outreach/connection/triage/linkage/follow-up sequence—while assessing the needs of students experiencing situations negatively impacting their academic success. Note: Faculty needing assistance with submitting CARE Connection should visit the Advocacy Services section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/advocacy). Advocacy Specialists are housed at the Heritage Campus, Windward Campus, and Oso Creek Campus.

Call (361) 698-1292 to schedule an appointment.