Skip to main content
Delaware Technical Community College logo
  • Apply Now
  • Giving
  • News & Events
  • Employment
  • Campus Safety
MYDTCC
Search form
  • Alumni
    • Benefits
    • News
    • Events
    • Distinguished Alumni
    • Alumni Association Meetings
    • Success Stories
      • Aaron Schrader
      • Adam Davis
      • Alison Buckley
      • Alondra Lara-Zavala
      • Amanda Saitis
      • Amporn Vasquez
      • Amy Comperatore
      • Ann Camper
      • Ashley Kapes
      • BJ Vanover
      • Begoña Blasco
      • Bernice Edwards
      • Bijou Cox
      • Bill Hayes
      • Brandon Gibbs
      • Brittany Rodriguez
      • Bryan Markiewicz
      • Carmelle Jean-Francois
      • Cassidy Booms
      • Christina Edwards
      • Christopher Otto
      • Cory Atkins
      • Damssaul Dufrene
      • Darcy Burbage
      • Dave Hall
      • David Hall
      • Diamond Jones
      • Dr. Ray Fulkrod Jr.
      • Emanuel Johnson
      • Emily Baptiste
      • Emily St. Clair
      • Eric Reiske
      • Eric Watkins
      • Erika Taylor
      • Gail Dunkleberger
      • Jack Fairchild
      • Jaime Eggert
      • Jenn Wells
      • John Przybylski
      • John Roach
      • Jonathan Falkinburg
      • June Crockett
      • Kara Masi
      • Karen Karchner
      • Katie (Warrington) Skidmore
      • Katie Sittler
      • Larry Tinnin
      • Lashanna Flynn
      • Leo Cabrera
      • Loretta Kilby
      • Major Robert A. Hudson
      • Marcus Wright
      • Margarita Krasteva
      • Mariellen Taraboletti
      • Mary Chen
      • Matt Wilson
      • Melchizedek Myers
      • Michael Henry
      • Morgan Russum
      • Natalie Herring
      • Nate Johnson
      • Nathan Bradford
      • Nicole Toohey
      • Omonsanya “OJ” Cole
      • Patrice Banks
      • Patricia Cooper
      • Paul Egnor
      • Purusha Rivera
      • Randy Miller
      • Rebecca Batson
      • Samantha Hurst
      • Shanon Hope Vella
      • Sharon Mossman
      • Sophia Marx
      • Stacy Mitchell
      • Stephanie Huerta
      • Stephanie Saroukos
      • Stuart Meeks
      • Terry Pepper
      • Tiffany and John Deering
      • Tom Bille
      • Valerie Bradshaw
      • Vernell Brown
      • Veronica McKain
      • Victoria Varga
      • Yesenia Robinson
    • Alumni - Contact Us
  • Prospective Students
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, Strategic Directions and Values
    • History
    • College Initiatives
    • Consumer Information
    • Policies
    • Board of Trustees
    • Administration
    • Accreditation
    • Employment
    • Campus Safety
    • News & Events
    • Giving
    • Contact Directory
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
    • Admissions
    • Tuition & Fees
    • Prospective Students
    • Open House / Info Sessions
    • New Student Orientation
    • Financial Aid & Scholarships
    • Request Information
  • Academics
    • Programs of Study
    • Registration
    • Academic Calendar
    • Transfer Options
    • International Education
    • Earning College Credit in High School
    • Instructional Technology & CCIT
    • Learning Options
    • Catalog/Student Handbook
  • Student Resources
    • Student Support
    • Graduation
    • Learning Support
    • Academic Advising
    • Libraries
    • Bookstores
    • Career Services
    • Students in Need
    • Wellness Center
    • Disability Support Services
    • Veterans Services
    • Transcript Request
    • Childcare
    • Presidential Student Leadership Academy
  • Campus Life
    • Calendar of Events
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Athletics
    • Dining Services
    • Parking and Transportation
    • Student Spotlight
    • Meet Our Faculty and Staff
  • Continuing Education
    • Course Search, Registration and Schedules
    • Workforce Training
    • Customized Training
    • Personal Enrichment
    • Youth Programs
    • Information Technology Academies
    • Info Sessions
    • Non Credit Policy Guide
  • Our Campuses
    • Dover
    • Georgetown
    • Stanton
    • Wilmington
  • Alumni
    • Benefits
    • News
    • Events
    • Distinguished Alumni
    • Alumni Association Meetings
    • Success Stories
      • Aaron Schrader
      • Adam Davis
      • Alison Buckley
      • Alondra Lara-Zavala
      • Amanda Saitis
      • Amporn Vasquez
      • Amy Comperatore
      • Ann Camper
      • Ashley Kapes
      • BJ Vanover
      • Begoña Blasco
      • Bernice Edwards
      • Bijou Cox
      • Bill Hayes
      • Brandon Gibbs
      • Brittany Rodriguez
      • Bryan Markiewicz
      • Carmelle Jean-Francois
      • Cassidy Booms
      • Christina Edwards
      • Christopher Otto
      • Cory Atkins
      • Damssaul Dufrene
      • Darcy Burbage
      • Dave Hall
      • David Hall
      • Diamond Jones
      • Dr. Ray Fulkrod Jr.
      • Emanuel Johnson
      • Emily Baptiste
      • Emily St. Clair
      • Eric Reiske
      • Eric Watkins
      • Erika Taylor
      • Gail Dunkleberger
      • Jack Fairchild
      • Jaime Eggert
      • Jenn Wells
      • John Przybylski
      • John Roach
      • Jonathan Falkinburg
      • June Crockett
      • Kara Masi
      • Karen Karchner
      • Katie (Warrington) Skidmore
      • Katie Sittler
      • Larry Tinnin
      • Lashanna Flynn
      • Leo Cabrera
      • Loretta Kilby
      • Major Robert A. Hudson
      • Marcus Wright
      • Margarita Krasteva
      • Mariellen Taraboletti
      • Mary Chen
      • Matt Wilson
      • Melchizedek Myers
      • Michael Henry
      • Morgan Russum
      • Natalie Herring
      • Nate Johnson
      • Nathan Bradford
      • Nicole Toohey
      • Omonsanya “OJ” Cole
      • Patrice Banks
      • Patricia Cooper
      • Paul Egnor
      • Purusha Rivera
      • Randy Miller
      • Rebecca Batson
      • Samantha Hurst
      • Shanon Hope Vella
      • Sharon Mossman
      • Sophia Marx
      • Stacy Mitchell
      • Stephanie Huerta
      • Stephanie Saroukos
      • Stuart Meeks
      • Terry Pepper
      • Tiffany and John Deering
      • Tom Bille
      • Valerie Bradshaw
      • Vernell Brown
      • Veronica McKain
      • Victoria Varga
      • Yesenia Robinson
    • Alumni - Contact Us
  • Prospective Students
  • About
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
  • Academics
  • Student Resources
  • Campus Life
  • Continuing Education
  • Our Campuses
MYDTCC
  • Apply Now
  • Giving
  • News & Events
  • Employment
  • Campus Safety
MYDTCC
Search Search
  • Mission, Vision, Strategic Directions and Values
  • History
  • College Initiatives
  • Consumer Information
  • Policies
  • Board of Trustees
  • Administration
  • Accreditation
  • Employment
  • Campus Safety
  • News & Events
  • Giving
  • Contact Directory
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Fees
  • Prospective Students
  • Open House / Info Sessions
  • New Student Orientation
  • Financial Aid & Scholarships
  • Request Information
  • Programs of Study
  • Registration
  • Academic Calendar
  • Transfer Options
  • International Education
  • Earning College Credit in High School
  • Instructional Technology & CCIT
  • Learning Options
  • Catalog/Student Handbook
  • Student Support
  • Graduation
  • Learning Support
  • Academic Advising
  • Libraries
  • Bookstores
  • Career Services
  • Students in Need
  • Wellness Center
  • Disability Support Services
  • Veterans Services
  • Transcript Request
  • Childcare
  • Presidential Student Leadership Academy
  • Calendar of Events
  • Clubs & Organizations
  • Athletics
  • Dining Services
  • Parking and Transportation
  • Student Spotlight
  • Meet Our Faculty and Staff
  • Course Search, Registration and Schedules
  • Workforce Training
  • Customized Training
  • Personal Enrichment
  • Youth Programs
  • Information Technology Academies
  • Info Sessions
  • Non Credit Policy Guide
  • Dover
  • Georgetown
  • Stanton
  • Wilmington
Home
You are here
Home » Alumni » Success Stories

Damssaul Dufrene

Architectural Engineering Technology

Building a Brighter and Better Future

When Damssaul Dufrene first moved to Delaware from Gonaives, Haiti his goal was to become a nurse or a doctor. The medical field is highly respected in Haiti, and his family strongly encouraged him to follow one of those paths.

Dufrene started at Delaware Tech learning English in the English as a Second Language program, before starting his path to a nursing degree. But the devastation caused by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti always weighed heavy on his mind.

“When I was in class, my mind was into designing and architecture,” Dufrene said. “After the earthquake people lost a lot and it was because the homes were poorly built. That kind of clicked in for me to do something with architecture.”

After talking to David Pedersen, department chairperson at the Owens Campus for architectural engineering, Dufrene changed his major and found his true calling. He increased his grade point average and graduated with a 3.51 GPA, made the Dean’s List, and was the program’s outstanding student at graduation.

Prior to graduation, Dufrene and his classmates toured several different colleges in the hopes of transferring into one of their architectural engineering programs. His goal had been to transfer to a college close to Boston, but Delaware Tech’s articulation agreement with Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD was too good to pass up.

“It was really exciting,” Dufrene said. “I was blessed, and Mr. Pedersen helped me talk with the transfer advisor and help me strengthen my portfolio so I could get accepted into the third year design studio.”

Dufrene entered Morgan State as a true junior and will graduate in Dec. 2017. This winter he will participate in the Design Connect program, which places students with three design firms over the winter semester. The hope is the student will connect with one of those firms and get an internship for the spring or summer.

Once he graduates, Dufrene has lofty goals that includes helping his home country as it continues to recover and rebuild.

“My plan now is to start working in a firm for a few years, then go back to college for construction engineering, which I feel will allow me to help both Haiti and the United States, Dufrene said.

He has come a long way since his journey from Haiti to the United States, and his future was made brighter by the start he got at Delaware Tech’s Owens Campus.

“I can say that Delaware Tech is one of the schools I will never forget,” Dufrene said. “I would recommend anyone to go to Delaware Tech.

“If I hadn’t been there I don’t know what I would’ve done with my life. Delaware Tech has made a big impact on my future.”

Damssaul Dufrene
Damssaul Dufrene

Program of Study
Architectural Engineering Technology

Graduation Year
2016

  • Alumni
    • Benefits
    • News
    • Events
    • Distinguished Alumni
    • Alumni Association Meetings
    • Success Stories
      • Aaron Schrader
      • Adam Davis
      • Alison Buckley
      • Alondra Lara-Zavala
      • Amanda Saitis
      • Amporn Vasquez
      • Amy Comperatore
      • Ann Camper
      • Ashley Kapes
      • BJ Vanover
      • Begoña Blasco
      • Bernice Edwards
      • Bijou Cox
      • Bill Hayes
      • Brandon Gibbs
      • Brittany Rodriguez
      • Bryan Markiewicz
      • Carmelle Jean-Francois
      • Cassidy Booms
      • Christina Edwards
      • Christopher Otto
      • Cory Atkins
      • Damssaul Dufrene
      • Darcy Burbage
      • Dave Hall
      • David Hall
      • Diamond Jones
      • Dr. Ray Fulkrod Jr.
      • Emanuel Johnson
      • Emily Baptiste
      • Emily St. Clair
      • Eric Reiske
      • Eric Watkins
      • Erika Taylor
      • Gail Dunkleberger
      • Jack Fairchild
      • Jaime Eggert
      • Jenn Wells
      • John Przybylski
      • John Roach
      • Jonathan Falkinburg
      • June Crockett
      • Kara Masi
      • Karen Karchner
      • Katie (Warrington) Skidmore
      • Katie Sittler
      • Larry Tinnin
      • Lashanna Flynn
      • Leo Cabrera
      • Loretta Kilby
      • Major Robert A. Hudson
      • Marcus Wright
      • Margarita Krasteva
      • Mariellen Taraboletti
      • Mary Chen
      • Matt Wilson
      • Melchizedek Myers
      • Michael Henry
      • Morgan Russum
      • Natalie Herring
      • Nate Johnson
      • Nathan Bradford
      • Nicole Toohey
      • Omonsanya “OJ” Cole
      • Patrice Banks
      • Patricia Cooper
      • Paul Egnor
      • Purusha Rivera
      • Randy Miller
      • Rebecca Batson
      • Samantha Hurst
      • Shanon Hope Vella
      • Sharon Mossman
      • Sophia Marx
      • Stacy Mitchell
      • Stephanie Huerta
      • Stephanie Saroukos
      • Stuart Meeks
      • Terry Pepper
      • Tiffany and John Deering
      • Tom Bille
      • Valerie Bradshaw
      • Vernell Brown
      • Veronica McKain
      • Victoria Varga
      • Yesenia Robinson
    • Alumni - Contact Us
  • Prospective Students

Delaware Technical Community College Logo

Copyright © 2023
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Directory
  • Employee Directory

Questions? We're here to help. (302) 857-1000 Contact Us


Delaware Technical Community College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender orientation, gender identity or pregnancy, or any other classifications protected by federal, state, and local law.

Reports of sexual misconduct and/or discrimination, involving any student or employee of Delaware Technical Community College should be directed to the Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator or Section 504 Coordinator, at civilrights@dtcc.edu, (302) 857-1903. Reports may also be mailed in writing to Delaware Technical Community College, P.O. Box 897, 100 Campus Drive, Dover, Delaware 19904. Learn more about Title IX/Civil Rights at the College.