Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – Rene Mendoza knows firsthand that education does not follow a straight line.
A United States Air Force veteran, Mendoza was among the 2,873 graduates who crossed the stage at South Texas College’s commencement ceremony on Dec. 13, earning his Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership (BASOL) after returning to college later in life – a milestone he said was both validating and deeply personal.
Raised as a migrant worker, Mendoza said education was something his parents deeply valued, even when circumstances seemed difficult.
“I started off slow,” he said. “I had some distractions early on and it was a wake-up call for me, but once I got things squared away, I knew I had an opportunity, and I didn’t want to waste it.”
Mendoza, 58, said his decision to recommit to college was rooted in both responsibility and family tradition. Coming from a long line of military service, he said his brother also served in the Air Force and his grandfather endured being a prisoner of war.
For Mendoza, serving his country meant honoring the opportunities afforded him as a veteran.
“There is a responsibility that comes with being a veteran and STC gave me a chance to better myself and finish something I started,” he said.
Once he focused on college fully, Mendoza said his academic performance quickly improved. With strong support from family and encouragement from STC faculty, he earned A’s and steadily built momentum by taking several courses at a time, many of them online, which allowed him to balance school with his full-time career.
STC’s BASOL degree is the first competency-based bachelor’s degree from a Texas public institution that applies a curriculum offered year-round in six, seven-week terms. All 120 hours of instruction are available 100% online for students and designed to meet the needs of working professionals.
“STC gave me the flexibility that I needed,” Mendoza said. “I was able to work, have a career and still go to school. That made all the difference.”
Currently the director of human resources at Rio Grande Valley College, Mendoza said the BASOL program aligned naturally with his professional responsibilities. He also credited STC faculty for their mentorship and availability throughout his journey.
“They went out of their way to encourage me and provided constant feedback,” he said. “That support helped me finish strong.”
Reflecting on his educational experience at STC, Mendoza said earning a degree meant more than just career advancement. It was about closure.
Now he hopes his story encourages other veterans to pursue higher education and take advantage of the benefits available to them.
“This isn’t a handout. You earned this. This is an investment in you,” he said. “For me, I know this degree is something I can hang on the wall and represents that I have been measured. It means I went through the process and saw it through.”
Mendoza plans to continue his education by enrolling in a master’s program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in January.
His advice to others considering a similar path is simple.
“Stay curious,” he said. “Never lose that desire to learn something new. Never give up when you hit a wall – just stay in the process.”
For more information about STC’s BASOL program visit, southtexascollege.edu/academics/organizational-leadership/.
