July 21, 2005
Gulf Coast Process Technology Alliance Endorses Del Mar College’s Process
Technology Program
DMC program reaches new status level as institution becomes thirteenth to
receive GCPTA approval
Del Mar College’s Department of Industrial and Technical Education got
the “word” recently. The Gulf Coast Process Technology Alliance (GCPTA)
officially endorsed the department’s Process Technology Program—making
the College the 13th institution to receive such approval by the alliance.
“The recognition ensures local industries that Del Mar College provides
a quality program that meets the criteria and standards set by the GCPTA,”
says Dr. Lee Sloan, dean of the Division of Occupational Education and Technology.
“By adhering to the curriculum, the College ensures that graduates have
the required training to work as process operators in the petrochemical, refinery
and manufacturing industries.”
Del Mar’s Process Technology Program offers certificates of achievement
and an associate in applied science degree.
Currently, the GCPTA has endorsed only eight other process technology programs
in Texas and four in Louisiana. Programs must submit proper documentation that
the Standards and Qualifications Committee reviews and the Executive Committee
approves. Not until these are completed does the GCPTA declare a college “endorsed”
for a one-year period. Programs have the option for annual renewal as long as
they continue to meet requirements. The process ensures that institutions meet
industry standards within the educational environment.
“Many of our industry partners have shown a great interest in member colleges
reaching this milestone because they are confident those students are prepared
academically as well as occupationally,” notes Steve Erickson, Executive
Director of the GCPTA.
GCPTA is an organization consisting of process technology education providers
and their business, industry and community advisors who cooperatively work toward
common goals. The alliance is an active partner with the Center for the Advancement
of Process Technology. Among the organization’s objectives are to develop
standards that assure quality graduates, effective evaluation and improvement
of the GCPTA curriculum, and continued support of educational materials that
meet the needs of industry and educational partners.
“With an active advisory committee made up of industry representatives
who provide direction and assistance to the College’s Process Technology
program, industry will have better prepared prospective employees–our students,”
adds Denise Rector, assistant professor of process technology.
For more information about the GCPTA, go online at www.processtech.org/.
For information about Del Mar College's Process Technology Program, contact
Denise Rector, DMC assistant professor of Process Technology, at 361/698-1713
or Dr. Lee Sloan, Dean, Division of Occupational Education and Technology, at
361/698-1700. Further GCPTA information is available through Steve Erickson,
Director of the Gulf Coast Process Technology Alliance, at 979/299-6787.
-DMC-rlr/mce