April 15, 2005
College Names Two “Instructors of the Year” During April 14 Recognition
Ceremony
East and West Campus students voted for favorite educators
What greater honor is there for an educator than to have students vote him or
her as an “Instructor of the Year?” During Del Mar College’s
54th Recognition Ceremony on April 14, two faculty members heard their names
announced for the honor.
The College’s Student Government Association (SGA) presented Instructor
of the Year awards to faculty representatives from the East and West Campuses.
This year, awards went to Tim Little, instructor of criminal justice in the
Department of Legal Professions on the East Campus, and to Dana De La Plaine,
professor of cosmetology in the Department of Industrial and Technical Education
on the West Campus.
Students organize the election and then announce the results during the annual
ceremony, which celebrates not only outstanding student achievements but also
recognizes the hard work and dedication of students’ favorite faculty.
In 1997, Little began teaching at Del Mar College as an adjunct instructor.
In 2003, he joined the faculty as a temporary instructor of criminal justice.
He is a member of Community College Criminal Justice Educators of Texas and
the Texas Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. Additionally, he has completed
graduate work toward a doctoral degree in philosophy in the field of criminology
through the University of Southern Mississippi.
Little earned an associate of arts degree in criminal justice from Del Mar College
as well as a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and a master of
science degree in occupational training and development in education from Texas
A&M University-Corpus Christi.
After working in the cosmetology field for 11 years, De La Plaine enrolled in
Del Mar College’s cosmetology program to earn an associate in applied science
degree. While still working and attending classes, she started teaching an evening
course for the College’s cosmetology program as an adjunct instructor in
1984. She joined the faculty full-time in 1986. The night program that De La
Plaine assisted in designing continued for six years. Additionally, the program
opened up another full time cosmetology class during the daytime so students
could finish their training within 14 months versus 36.
De La Plaine earned her bachelor’s degree as well as a masters degree from
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. In addition to teaching full-time,
De La Plaine also serves as a master designer/educator through Pivot Point International
in Chicago.
-DMC-rlr/mce