Texas Border Business
By Yahaira Hernandez
McAllen, Texas – In 2021, the Texas A&M University College of Architecture’s Department of Construction Science added its Bachelor of Science in Construction Science degree program to the list of undergraduate programs at the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM). This week, four Construction Science students became the first to graduate from the HECM.
Dr. Edelmiro Escamilla ‘00, the program coordinator and associate instructional professor for the Department of Construction Science at the HECM, is the pioneer faculty member and recruiter responsible for growing the program to what it is today and providing countless opportunities for local students to gain valuable industry knowledge and skills.
“The initiative was launched by former Chancellor John Sharp to expand the programs offered at the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center in McAllen,” Escamilla said. “I helped with recruiting students in local schools, hosted summer construction academies, attended football games and worked with the Prospective Student Center Rio Grande Valley.”
The program started in fall 2021 with a cohort of seven students. Four years later, the department expects its McAllen enrollment to reach nearly 70 students. In its first few years, four students have studied abroad in the United Kingdom, and many have gained real-world knowledge and skills thanks to Escamilla and his colleagues’ outreach, volunteer efforts and collaborations within the local construction industry.
The four Construction Science graduates are Rafael Rodriguez ’25, Rocky Treviño ’25, Pedro Aguilar ’25 and Roberto Carrillo ’25. Rodriguez and Treviño are two of the original seven students in the program. They are both grateful for their experience at the HECM and are excited to begin their careers.
“It has been a meaningful and transformative journey. Studying at the Higher Education Center at McAllen has allowed me to receive a world-class education close to home while still benefiting from the full strength of the Texas A&M Construction Science program,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve developed a strong foundation in construction management, scheduling, cost estimation and field operations that directly apply to the challenges faced in today’s construction industry.”
Treviño shared Rodriguez’s sentiment as he recalled navigating through the HECM’s program and being taught by industry leaders. “While it hasn’t been perfect, I think I received an experience that not many other students have had before. With only four to seven students in each course, I was able to build a personal relationship with many professors that have connections with companies throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Most of my professors had either recently worked in the construction industry or were both teaching and working at the same time, which means I received a lot of relevant information and advice directly from the field.”
Aguilar and Carrillo said the construction science curriculum and small class sizes gave them the chance to work closely with their peers and professors and gain real-world skills like critical thinking, estimating, construction management and project planning.
“Our professors constantly pushed us to meet high standards that would translate into the rigorous demands of the construction industry,” Aguilar said.
Carrillo added, “The faculty made themselves available whenever we needed help and consistently encouraged us to live by the Aggie Honor Code. Every day, they emphasized that we were no different from the students in College Station. They truly opened the gateway to endless possibilities for my future endeavors as both a student and a leader.”
All four graduates have secured employment in the local construction industry and express their deep appreciation for the Construction Science department and Escamilla especially, for their commitment to providing the best education possible inside the classroom and outside — through study abroad opportunities, internships and events.
“Dr. Escamilla’s professionalism, dedication and passion for student development has made a major impact on my growth,” said Rodriguez. “He consistently pushed me to expand my thinking, approach problems with deeper insight and strive for excellence in everything I did.”
Escamilla largely gives credit to his department and the HECM for giving students in South Texas the opportunity to pursue a construction science degree, gain valuable industry knowledge and embrace the Aggie Core Values.
“The faculty has worked tirelessly, despite their hectic schedules, to teach and mentor these students throughout their educational journey,” Escamilla said. “Watching them receive their Aggie ring and now seeing our first graduates has been very emotional for me. It’s incredible to know our students are graduating with a job in hand and will soon contribute to the Rio Grande Valley skyline. I’ll do my best to ensure they continue to be successful.”
Information source: Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM)
