Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – For South Texas College student Martin Lopez, returning to school was never about starting over. It was about unlocking the full potential of everything he had already built.
As Facilities Director at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle National Shrine, Lopez is responsible for maintaining and improving one of the Rio Grande Valley’s most visited places of worship.
Now, with just two courses remaining in STC’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) Construction Management program, the 58-year-old is transforming decades of experience into a credential that is elevating both his confidence and the impact he is making on the job.
“I wanted to understand where things could go wrong. There is a lot of responsibility in building something for others, and I wanted to do it right,” Lopez said about joining the CBE program. “Now, I only have two more courses left before I can get my certificate.”
While CBE has been around for numerous years at STC, this specific program was recently launched for the first time at STC’s Technology Campus in fall 2024. The CBE model is designed for working adults who want to advance without stepping away from their careers.
Instead of traditional semester schedules, students progress by demonstrating mastery of real-world skills, and at a pace that fits their lives.
For Lopez, the flexibility made all the difference. Even more importantly, it worked with his purpose.
“It is difficult to physically be in a classroom setting,” said Lopez, who is also a husband and father of three. “But with this program, you go at your own pace. It works with your schedule.”
Through the CBE program, Lopez said he has gained a deeper understanding of Construction Management concepts. From evaluating costs to anticipating potential issues before they arise, that knowledge has strengthened his ability to lead projects with confidence and precision.
“One of the biggest benefits is understanding construction and repair costs,” he said. “Now I can better determine if something is being priced fairly. Financially, that’s beneficial for the Basilica.”
The real-world application is exactly what college leaders envisioned when developing the program.
Joe Vela, interim dean of the Division of Business, Public Safety and Technology at STC, said the CBE initiative at the Technology Campus was designed specifically for individuals who already have experience in the workforce, but need a faster pathway to credentials.
“We are seeing students come in who already had experience in the field,” Vela said. “So we asked ourselves, ‘How can we use that to their advantage,’ That’s where CBE came from. It came from giving students a way to move faster, earn their degree and get back into the industry with the skills and certifications they need.”
Developed through a Perkins Leadership Grant, the program converts traditional course material into competency-based modules, allowing students to demonstrate mastery rather than sit through content they may already know.
“We’re specifically looking for students who already have that experience,” Vela said. “They are able to go through the program at a faster pace and even pick up additional certifications along the way.”
Maria De Leon, academic coach for CBE programs at STC’s Technology Campus said Lopez’s journey reflects the program’s mission.
“This is for individuals who are already working full-time, but who want to grow,” De Leon said. “CBE allows them to use the knowledge they already have and turn it into something that can open doors.”
For Lopez, those doors are already opening, not just for career advancement, but for meaningful contributions to the Basilica itself.
Among the most impactful projects are newly-designed candle rooms that hold thousands of lit candles each weekend, each representing a prayer. Drawing on both his artistic background and his construction training, Lopez developed a system to regulate air flow and temperature, ensuring the candles burn safely and completely.
He has also helped create symbolic installations across the Basilica, including sculpted concrete bases resembling tree roots that support statues of the four evangelists, which represent the foundation of faith.
Even the layout of newer spaces carries deeper meaning. From above, Lopez said parts of the Basilica’s design reflect the shape of Our Lady’s crown – a subtle, but intentional tribute woven into the campus itself.
Through determination, experience and opportunity, Lopez said he hopes to prove that it is never too late to grow. With the right support, education can help people like him build something even greater ahead.
“Construction to me is leaving a legacy behind,” Lopez said. “One day, I can come back with grandchildren and say, ‘I was part of this.’’’
For more information on STC’s CBE courses, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/cbe/
Information source: STC
