Dallas College News

Lara Dodson-Tello remembers her dad telling her to find a recession-proof career. She never forgot that piece of advice even though she had to put her career aspirations on hold while she raised a young family. But, when she was ready to start college in 2008, she arrived at Dallas College’s El Centro Campus with a simple mindset: find a recession-proof career.

There isn’t a drop of oil anywhere. There isn’t one tool out of place. Dallas College alum Christopher Manning keeps his work area at the Mercedes-Benz of Plano service center as pristine as the cars in the showroom. He’s driven to end the old “dirty mechanic” stereotype as he has become a leading voice in the industry.

Elisa Ramos reflects on graduation. "I think my parents will be overjoyed, especially since I’m the first in the family to pursue college here," she said. "It’s my dad’s dream to have professionals in the family, and I will be the first of my siblings to reach that goal. My dad is my biggest inspiration to keep studying. Since I was a little girl, he always encouraged me to follow my dreams."

The Erin Tierney Kramp Encouragement Endowed Scholarship is just one of many scholarships available for Dallas College students to pursue. Meet two 2024 Kramp scholars.

Maris Rodriguez was a high school dropout and didn’t think she had much of a future. Because of Dallas College and the STEM Institute, Maris has been rejuvenated with life and is now pursuing a dream of working for NASA. Maris recently was part of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program at the Ames Research Center in California.

Carmesia Washington started her educational journey at Dallas College in 1998, attending classes at the Mountain View Campus. However, she started a family and had a successful career working in IT, which put college on the back burner. Then, one day her high school-aged daughter pushed Washington to pursue her dreams of becoming a teacher.

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience for students as they explore and immerse themselves in different countries and cultures. Zoe Phillips experienced those benefits as she works toward a bachelor’s degree at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata, Japan.

Asked why people should pursue a career in nursing, Vanessa Lozada had a simple message. “You will always have a job,” she said, “and you’ll never be bored.” Lozada would know. She’s worked virtually every nursing job on her road to becoming the director of emergency services at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Plano.

As Dallas College’s interim dean of pathway success Paula Guidry, Ph.D., provides opportunities for students by helping make sure they’re set on the path to success.

A member of Joel Klump’s family — himself included — has either taken classes at or worked at Dallas College from the time it was founded until today. “This college has been a part of my life as long as I can remember,” he said. “Its history is my history.”

Texas Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos said that a government course early on at Dallas College Eastfield Campus laid the foundation for her political passions, and boosted her confidence to pursue additional degrees. She said her days at Eastfield proved to be life-changing.

When Kathryn Brownlee, Ph.D., professor of music and commercial music, isn’t teaching students at Dallas College’s Cedar Valley Campus, she can be found conducting the New Texas Symphony Orchestra (NTSO), an all-volunteer community orchestra she founded that’s now in its 19th season.

Chancellor Lonon became Principal Lonon this week. Lonon was among the notable participants in this year’s “Principal for a Day” program with Dallas Independent School District, which partners with the Dallas Regional Chamber and Capital One to bring community leaders inside schools across the city.

Thirty-eight percent of the students currently enrolled at Dallas College are first-generation college students, according to student information profile data. As we participate in the National First-Generation College Celebration on Nov. 8, Dallas College students and alumni share their experience of being the first in their families to attend college.

Dallas College alumna Iris Diaz didn’t set out to become the first Latina to serve as a chief marketing officer for an NBA franchise. She simply did her job to the best of her abilities. Eventually, that hard work paid off when she was promoted to CMO of the Dallas Mavericks in 2019.