Student Experience: Jerry Dean

“The experience at El Centro helped establish my career as an executive chef. Now I work in food service administration, where I have the ability to impact the culinary experience of thousands. It has come full circle for me as I now sit on the advisory board for the Food and Hospitality Institute, as well as Texas Woman's University’s School of Nutrition. Food and education are my life!” 

Jerry Dean is a 20-year veteran of Aramark, providing leadership as a food service director for nine of those years with the Higher Education team and the last 11 years as a district manager for Texas and New Mexico. As district manager, Jerry is responsible for the supervision of the on-site team, providing a wide range of support and expertise in operational excellence, marketing, financial performance and customer service. Jerry has an extensive culinary arts and food service administration background, having worked as an executive chef for 13 years before joining Aramark. Jerry serves on the advisory board for Texas Woman's University’s School of Nutrition and El Centro's School of Culinary Arts. Jerry served as the Regional Safety Leader for 2011-2012 and continues to support the region as co-facilitator of the regional safety committee.

Jerry attended El Centro's School of Culinary Arts and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Governor's University School of Business. Aramark Corporation is a global provider of food, facilities and uniform services to clients in education, health care, business, corrections and business in 21 countries.


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Liliana Rodriguez

Liliana Rodriguez

Assistant Director, Creative Services Marketing and Communications Dallas College
“The instructors were one of the highlights of my experience. They were approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in our success ... Their encouragement helped me grow as a designer, stay current with emerging trends, and even led to the co-op opportunity that launched my professional journey at Eastfield.”
Digital Art and Design, Photography
Rebekah Gonzalez

Rebekah Gonzalez

Video Technology Student
“A lot of my creative inspiration comes from moments where I feel lost or uncertain. I turn to art to process those feelings. It helps me make sense of things I don’t fully understand yet.”
Video Technology
Robert Tucker

Robert Tucker

Freelance News Editor CBS 11/TXA 21
“There aren’t that many professors who will really sit down and explain something to you, but here at North Lake they will. They really care about the students, and I think this is one of the best video programs in the area.”
Video Technology

Anthony Rusty Stogner

Student, University of Texas-Pan American
“I loved my experience at Dallas College — I had nothing but great teachers and courses there. “I got a great background in graphic design in the Computer Graphics program — from Photoshop to 3-D design to Web-based knowledge.”
Digital Art and Design
Jerry Dean
Jerry Dean
District Manager, Aramark Higher Education

Culinary and Pastry Arts
School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design
Updated July 7, 2026