DEC Campus Life

Life AT DEC.

School is where you learn your craft. DEC is where you find your people, and truly become part of a community.

#DECLIFE.

Find your people.

Student Life at DEC is built around small things that turn classmates into a class, and a class into a community.

🎬

Movie Nights

Theater takeover, popcorn, vibes.

🌭

Summer Picnic

On the lawn, all-you-can-eat.

🎉

Holiday-Themed Parties

Holiday (Christmas) Party.

🥚

Spring Egg Hunt

Prizes hidden across campus.

☕

Coffee Bars

Coffee bar days.

🍦

Popsicle Day

Outside held at Van Keulen.

🍀

St. Patty's Day Punch

Tradition. Don’t ask.

🌮

Cinco de Mayo Walking Tacos

In the lounge.

Want the full list?

Find your way around.

Mona Ruth Imbrescia Welcome Center

Your Douglas experience often begins here. This welcoming, castle-themed space serves as the front door to DEC and is home to the Admissions Department. Whether you’re exploring programs, scheduling a tour, or preparing to enroll, our team is here to answer your questions and help you take the next step.

7th Street Administration Building

The 7th Street Administration Building houses many of the departments that support students throughout their educational journey, including Financial Aid, Education, Information Technology, Marketing, Business Services, and the President’s Office.

Van Keulen Complex

The Van Keulen Complex plays an important role in helping students prepare for life after graduation. It is home to Career Services, the Learning Resource Center, the Computer Resource Center, and the Portfolio and Career Development Center. The facility also hosts orientations, graduations, special events, and continuing education activities.

Student Lounge & Gallery

The Student Lounge provides a place to relax, connect with classmates, and recharge between classes. The adjacent museum celebrates the history of Douglas Education Center and highlights the accomplishments of students, graduates, and the industries they serve.

George A. Romero Film Building

The George A. Romero Film Building is home of the George A. Romero’s Filmmaking Program and is attached to DEC’s Van Keulen Complex. Completely refurbished inside and out, the Film Building houses professional facilities for production and post-production, as well as classrooms and office space.

This building contains a large sound stage / staging area with a green screen and is equipped with such items as tripods, dollies, hand and power tools, cameras, camcorders, lighting, and grip equipment. There are editing suites and a mixing room that contain microphone kits, soundtracks, various props, computers, and all necessary software. The building also contains a 50+ seat theater, private study corrals, a make-up and wardrobe department with dressing rooms, and a production office.

8th Street Arts Building (Savini Building)

The 8th Street Arts Building is home to Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program. This building houses faculty offices, specialized workshop style classrooms, studios, mold rooms, a machine shop, sculpting and make-up studios, a photography studio, fabrication rooms and the supply room. It contains all necessary safety equipment as well as items such as stand mixers, scales, ovens, saws, drill presses, and other various hand and power tools.

Cosmetology Academy

The Cosmetology Academy, home to the cosmetology programs, is located on the corner of Fourth Street and Schoonmaker Avenue. The building contains various pieces of equipment such as shampoo basins, hair dryers, manicure tables and chairs, pedicure chairs, facial steamers, dry and wet sterilizers, facial chairs, and mannequins. It houses offices, specialized classrooms, a library, and a student clinic which houses the latest in salon equipment. Wi-Fi access is available.

456 Donner Avenue

This campus building is located at 456 Donner Avenue. It houses an office, specialized classrooms and studio / lounge spaces. There are two open-style classrooms able to accommodate studio work on clients, as well as lecture and classroom discussions. There are makeup beds and designated areas for performing and practicing services, as well as various storage for cosmetic supplies and equipment. Desktop computers and Wi-Fi access are available in the building.

30 Donner Place

30 Donner Place is a multipurpose facility which has been designed and developed to facilitate many options for education. The skilled trade programs are held here while the CDL and Heavy Equipment program will also have off-site locations for driving. Along with classrooms and computer labs, the building contains required equipment for each Skilled Trade program. This includes designated areas for Electrical and HVAC-R operations with necessary machinery, truck driving simulators, and replicas of many items used on a job site.

Design and Career Training Center

The Design and Career Training Center includes computer labs, Massage Therapy program classrooms, specialized classrooms, and offices. The basement houses airbrush and art studio workspaces. The Massage Therapy classrooms contain ample space for students to use their massage tables and chairs to practice bodywork techniques with the ability to create privacy rooms for individual sessions. The classrooms also contain instructor tables and chairs, white boards, sinks, music speakers, demo skeleton, hot stone warmers and heaters, towel and table warmers, and paraffin baths. There are changing rooms for clients, as well as ample storage for lotions, oils, first aid kits, pillows, sheets, towels, and other massage supplies used in the classrooms.

See it from above:

One day at DEC.

No two days at DEC look exactly alike, but they all start with the same goal: showing up ready to learn by doing. You’ll connect with classmates, check in with instructors, and get ready to jump into the work ahead.

You’ll spend less time watching and more time doing. Working alongside instructors who’ve done it themselves, you’ll practice the skills, techniques, and problem-solving you’ll use in the careers you’re preparing to enter.

Between classes, students gather in the Student Lounge, catch up with friends, recharge, or take part in activities and traditions that help build a sense of community on campus.

As the day moves on, you’ll keep building confidence through repetition, feedback, and hands-on experience. The work may look different from program to program, but the goal stays the same: learning by doing.

By the end of the day, you’ll leave with more than notes and assignments. You’ll leave with new experiences, stronger skills, and a clearer picture of where you’re headed.

Wear the flame.

Show your DEC pride: hoodies, tees, totes, and Tom Savini classics from the bookstore. Worn by the program directors. Hard to find a campus where the merch slaps harder. Browse our apparel collection: