Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
Since arriving at South Texas College, President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., has made it his mission to make college accessible and affordable for everyone in the Rio Grande Valley through initiating bold solutions and initiatives in higher education and workforce and economic development.
In recognition of his efforts and success, Solis recently became the recipient of the 2025 Hidalgo County Urban County Leadership Conference Leadership Award.
“Receiving this award is a great honor, but this doesn’t belong to me alone…there are thousands of dedicated faculty and staff who put our plans and initiatives into action every day, dedicated to student success,” said Solis. “We work daily toward eliminating poverty through education, offering scholarships through programs like Valley Promise and our STC Foundation that eliminate barriers and we ensure that students not only graduate, but are placed in a great-paying job, career. This is only the beginning.”
The award was established through the Hidalgo County Urban County Leadership Conference committee to recognize outstanding agencies and individuals like Solis for their work, contributions and achievements that have made a significant difference in the small communities in Hidalgo County.
City of McAllen Assistant City Manager Joe Vera explained that the Hidalgo County Urban County Leadership Conference award is given annually and this year the committee unanimously selected Solis.
“There is not enough we can say about what Dr. Solis has done for our communities and South Texas,” he said. “He has provided outstanding support to our small communities through higher education, community support, economic and community development, advocacy and resources. He works tirelessly to meet the needs of our communities in South Texas and ensures that everyone has the chance for a better future.”
In nearly four years, Solis has guided STC in significant growth. From enrollment and short-term workforce training programs to regional partnerships across the RGV and across the border and the implementation of new programs, the college has become the epicenter of economic growth and stability for the region.
Under Solis’ leadership STC has remained a top producer of nurses statewide and will introduce two new health care programs – Dental Hygiene and Surgical Technology, making STC one of the few colleges to offer every allied health program possible, has established the STC Foundation introducing the Valley Promise program, a last-dollar scholarship that will within the next five year provide free college for everyone, and has advanced technology programs with day, night and weekend classes and the implementation of artificial intelligence.
Joel Rivera, Hidalgo County Urban County Program director, worked closely with STC as the former Weslaco chief of police, in establishing the college’s now highly successful Police Academy and had the opportunity to present Solis with the award.
“It was a privilege to present Dr. Solis with the achievement award this year, for his leadership, excellence and participation in our organization,” said Rivera. “Solis is deserving of this award. He has brought innovation to not only the college, but all our communities. He has demonstrated during his tenure that he is diligently working to improve our communities and make a lasting, positive impact.”
Solis said the future is bright for STC and the communities it serves.
“Thank you to the Hidalgo County Urban County Leadership committee for this award – I am honored and humbled,” he said. “We have done a lot to improve our communities, but there is still more work to do, and we will continue to diligently work toward our mission of empowering our region and driving socioeconomic advancement through lifelong learning opportunities.”
