Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
South Texas College (STC) Dual Credit Programs earned national recognition after being selected to participate in a research study conducted by the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University.
The study examined how colleges can strategically invest limited resources to sustainably scale practices that provide students with more purposeful and impactful dual enrollment experiences.
Based on its findings, the research team expressed strong admiration for STC’s dual credit model, highlighting the robust support systems, intentional practices and institutional resources that help sustain dual enrollment efforts while expanding access and success for underserved high school students.
“Being selected by the Community College Research Center at Columbia University is an incredible honor for South Texas College,” said Rebecca De Leon, Ph. D., associate vice president for Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships. “It affirms the intentional work taking place across our 21 school district partnerships and highlights the success of our dual credit students, faculty and partners on a national level.”
STC’s Dual Credit Programs are designed to go beyond early access to college coursework by prioritizing long-term student success. Through strategic curriculum alignment, comprehensive advising and nationally recognized quality standards, STC ensures students are prepared for meaningful academic and career pathways.
“At South Texas College, dual credit is more than simply getting students into college classrooms,” said De Leon. “We intentionally align curriculum with high school endorsements and industry-based credentials, while providing robust advising and support systems so students thrive every step of the way. Additionally, as the first and only National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) accredited dual credit program in the state of Texas, we ensure that our students receive a top-tier college experience with credits that count toward meaningful degrees, careers and transfer opportunities.”
This national recognition underscores STC’s mission to serve the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) by creating equitable educational opportunities that empower students and strengthen communities.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful because it shines a national spotlight on the talent, resilience and potential of students in the RGV,” said De Leon. “It reflects the power of early college opportunities and the life-changing impact they have on our families and communities.”
The CCRC’s findings further position STC as a national leader in dual enrollment innovation and student-centered educational practices.
To read more about the study, visit: https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/publications/college-business-models-dual-enrollment.html.
Information source: STC
