New DMC regent sworn in

Anantha Babbili a former administrator, professor at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

The Del Mar Board of Regents appointed and swore in Anantha Babbili to the vacant at-large seat on Feb. 14. He will serve in the position through 2024.

Since the resignation of Linda Villarreal, effective Jan. 1, the Del Mar College Board of Regents has received and reviewed several applications to fill her vacant At-large seat. Before the board’s Feb. 14 regular meeting, the board interviewed three candidates for the seat during a special called meeting.

Of the three candidates, the board elected to appoint Babbili, a former administrator and professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, to the position. 

Babbili has a bachelor’s degree in botany, zoology and chemistry, as well as a bachelor’s degree in journalism, from the University of Osmania, in Hyderabad, India. He also has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma, and a doctoral degree in mass communication from the University of Iowa.

He served as provost and vice president of academic affairs for 15 years TAMUCC and served as dean of the Middle Tennessee State University of Mass Communication for over five years.

He currently serves as president and CEO of the World Affairs Council of South Texas, an autonomous nonprofit with the stated goal of promoting citizen interest in international affairs and building local interest in global issues. 

“After literally 42 years of higher education in this country, I’ve impacted on many students’ lives, who are now global, they’re everywhere, many countries and the United States, and Texas particularly. It gives me much gratification that I’ll be able to impact, if I bring that exposure, experience to Del Mar College.” Babbili said in his closing statement during the interview, referring to Del Mar College as “a jewel among community colleges.”

He was sworn in immediately after his appointment and took part in the board’s regular meeting directly following his appointment.

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