Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College Dual Credit Programs recently held its annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Leadership meeting with more than 50 administrators, CTE directors and counselors from 14 partnering school districts.
School district representatives gathered at STC’s Technology Campus and were able to learn about the various CTE offerings at the college and network with faculty and advisors from the 20 programs in attendance including Continuing, Professional and Workforce Development (CPWE) and the college’s Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our guests here today to explore new options for students, specifically in the career and technical pathways and to see what students may be interested in,” said Rebecca De Leon, EdD., associate vice president for Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships. “We are connecting with the CTE counselors and administrators with our key faculty and staff like our programming chairs and even our deans so they can see first-hand what’s on the way with regards to dual credit and CTE programs.”
STC plays a vital role in meeting the needs of the region by partnering with high schools, as well as with employers and four-year colleges to create career pathways that lead to well-paying jobs.
As a result, STC has become the largest provider of workforce programs in the region, offering more than 90 workforce programs created through regional partnerships to meet the region’s high-demand career needs.
“I think the top things I would like all the participants to understand are the myriad of opportunities that South Texas College provides,” said Brett J. Millan, Ed.D., associate vice president of Academic Success and Advancement. “We start students off while they are still in high school and letting them know of all the different pathways within these trades and skills that are in great demand for our region and that not only help the students and their families, but creates regional prosperity.”
Since its inception in 1999, STC’s Dual Credit Programs have served over 145,000 students and saved school districts and families more than $425 million in waived tuition costs. More than 24% of participating Dual Credit high school seniors have also earned an associate degree during the 2023-2024 academic year.
What began as a program with 400 students has since expanded to over 11,000 dual credit students in 21 school districts at 70 high school sites in Hidalgo and Starr Counties. Twenty-five years later, the program now encompasses more than 500 faculty who teach 1,400 sections and is among the largest Dual Credit Programs nationwide.
This year STC’s Dual Credit Program saw a 13% increase in enrollment, the biggest growth in a decade, and the program remains the only National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) accredited program in the state of Texas.
Adelina Villarreal, CTE director with Rio Grande City Grulla ISD, who was among those in attendance at the leadership meeting, said that school districts in partnership with STC are changing students’ lives.
“Like everyone here at STC likes to say, ‘We’re offering dreams’ and I am elated that I get to make a difference in our students’ lives because we know that many of them choose to begin working right away, but through the dedication of STC, the college’s facilities and staff and faculty support, we know that they get the best quality of education,” Villarreal said.
“We are thrilled with our students’ success. Their success is our success and their parents’ success.”
Judith Dimas, CTE director with Hidalgo ISD said STC’s impact is preparing students with workforce needs as well as guidance and support.
“I think what we have learned here at this presentation with Dual Credit, and really with all of the programs at STC, is that it boils down to better preparing our students for their future careers,” Dimas said. “We have counselors here who are also gaining a lot of knowledge and information about all the offerings that we can then increase in our schools. With the changes in workforce needs, not only here but statewide, we want to better prepare our students for the workforce needs that we see. The partnerships we have with STC and how they provide a lot of guidance and support is enhancing our programs.”
For more information about STC’s Dual Credit Programs visit www.southtexascollege.edu/dual/.
