Dallas College

Ever wonder how our Mountain View campus got its name? It's because the campus is located at the highest point in Dallas County. Now you know!

Reminder - Our campus food pantries are here to help. Open to the community (as well as students) each Friday, our pantries offer snacks, meals and more. For hours and other details, visit https://bit.ly/3VdveZN

Please note: Our El Centro Campus does not participate in Community Pantry Days.

A community tradition that brings the heat! Cedar Valley Campus President Dr. Joseph Seabrooks, aka Uncle Joe, is back with Uncle Joe's Cookout. A fall staple that turns up the music, the energy, the flavor and the connections like nothing else. IYKYK… If you missed it, swipe through the photos for a peek and plan to join us next year!

“The community here was the biggest surprise. People often assume community colleges are places where students leave right after class, but Dallas College is full of connection, involvement and interesting people.” — Michael, Dallas College Engineering student. Read about how Michael is continuing a legacy that started with her parents meeting at Richland years ago.

What led you to where you are today at Dallas College?
“I started at UTD, and despite working hard there, I eventually found my way to Dallas College. It felt like the right place to be, especially after I learned my parents met at the ESOL lab just above the STEM Center where I spend most of my time. That made my experience more personal because I feel like I’m continuing a family legacy while pursuing something I’m passionate about.”

Where did your interest in engineering come from?
“It started in high school through our robotics club. I visited the club as a photography student but found myself spending more time around the robots than taking pictures."

Did you find community when you arrived here?
"I did, immediately! Richland students are incredibly welcoming and genuine, and that sense of connection helped me get involved and eventually join Student Government. There, I gained confidence and found opportunities to advocate for students, specifically students with disabilities. I had evidence of what I was capable of, especially when working alongside other motivated students.”

As a Latina woman pursuing engineering, what does that journey mean to you?
“I pursue my degree for women like me and for the statistics I want to overcome. Getting my degree would mean I get the chance to find a career I’m passionate about and build a life I want. In doing that, I know I am part of what slowly changes those statistics.”

What impact do you hope to make through your work?
“I’m drawn to thoughtful design that makes using machinery or a system much safer by considering and valuing the person using it. Recently, I started a position at Richland’s STEM Center, where I’ve had the opportunity to help others discover what inspires them and move toward their goals. Come visit us in W159!”

Dallas College welcomed Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, Dallas County and city of Irving leaders to our Irving Center for the ribbon-cutting of the new Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas location.

Our chancellor, Dr. Justin H. Lonon, joined Laura Ward, president and CEO of Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas; Harry Jones, the organization’s board chair; Carter Holston, its past board chair; Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins; and Irving Mayor Al Zapanta to celebrate the opening and the partnership behind it.

Dallas College has provided education and workforce training at our Irving Center since 2009. The new Workforce Solutions location adds career support and employer services, bringing education, workforce resources and career opportunities together in one place.

As Dr. Lonon said at the event, “It’s not about just being co-located together. It’s about being deeply integrated.”

That coordination will help people move more easily from education and training to career support and employment opportunities. It will also give employers stronger connections to the workforce they need.

Together, Dallas College and Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas are creating a more connected path to opportunity for Irving and Dallas County.

It can be hard. Keep going! Read how Aiden, a hardworking student from our Richland Campus, found his way 👇

Our Dallas College Partner Ambassadors are local leaders who know their communities and have earned the trust of the people they serve. The Dallas College Community Relations and Solutions team works alongside them to connect residents with college programs, workforce training and student resources.

Last week, we brought the ambassadors together to discuss how we can turn these partnerships into action. Amanda Sargent-Shaw, Dallas College director of Strategic Partnerships, moderated a community impact panel featuring Whitney Tolliver of The Teacher Retreat and Latorra Garland of Jacob Way Organization. Dr. Aundrea Harris led a storytelling session to help the ambassadors effectively communicate their "why," amplify their community impact and strengthen their leadership presence through storytelling.

We also recognized nine local community leaders who completed the summer pilot of our Mastering Strategic Facilitation Cohort, led by Dr. Adrienne Thompson, senior director of Strategic Partnerships. The facilitation cohort learned practical ways to guide conversations, lead change and connect community needs with workforce resources. The following community leaders completed the pilot:

Daneshe Bethune — C5 Texas
Sherry Brown — Forward I Go, LLC
Sherri Cook — Girls Inc.
Latorra Garland — Jacob Way Organization
Cassandra Jackman — Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute
Nikki James-Smith — BITS Tutorial Services
Courtney Taylor-El — Generation Hope
Star Williams — Stars United Global Outreach

After spending the last year learning about Dallas College resources and strengthening their community engagement skills, our Partner Ambassadors are ready to help us reach prospective students and build pipelines into academic programs and workforce skills training. This is how Dallas College and trusted local leaders bring education and workforce opportunities closer to home.

It's volleyball and soccer season at Dallas College 😤 Pull for your home campus and cheer on your classmates because the matches have begun and the squad needs you!

Your student ID is your no-cost ticket for every game! Community members are welcome to join us at no cost, too.

Check out every team's schedule by visiting https://www.dallascollege.edu/slife/athletics/

“I’m grateful. Dallas College has been part of my life for more than two decades, first as a student and now as an employee. The institution helped shape my future, and I’ve had the privilege of helping students pursue their own goals in return." - Erbin Ayala, Dallas College alumni and success coach.

Tell us your story.
“My family moved from California to Mesquite in the early 2000s. The move gave me a fresh start, and I experienced a complete academic turnaround. Eastfield became my home campus, and in many ways, it still feels like home. I graduated during the 2008 recession. I found myself searching for direction. Then I became an instructor for youth camps. Working with young people opened my eyes to education in a way I had never considered before. That experience planted a seed.

“Today, I’m a success coach at Dallas College, helping students navigate their educational and career pathways. I’ve come full circle.”

Where do you find the motivation to keep going?
“A lot of that comes from my family. My parents immigrated to the United States after fleeing the civil war in El Salvador. They taught me the value of hard work from an early age, and that work ethic has stayed with me throughout my life."

What brings you the most fulfillment?
“Much of my work involves helping nontraditional students navigate their educational journey and helping people realize their potential. You don’t go into higher education because you’re chasing financial success. You do it because you want to make a difference. For me, it’s about giving back."

How has your experience as a Dallas College student influenced the way you approach your work today?
“I think a lot about the people who helped me when I was a student. As a success coach, you’re not just helping an individual student. You’re helping a family. You’re helping future generations. The impact of education extends far beyond the person sitting across from you. That’s something I never lose sight of.”

A few years ago, earning your bachelor's degree at a community college was a need that wasn't being met in Dallas County. Now, Dallas College has launched our FOURTH bachelor’s degree program since announcing our first six years ago. The Bachelor of Applied Science in Management is for anyone, whether you’re starting your college journey or advancing your education, and can be completed fully online.

Learn all about it at https://www.dallascollege.edu/schools/business/management/