Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
South Texas College’s Jaguar Self-Care Den is now available at every campus across Hidalgo and Starr counties, providing free personal care essentials to students experiencing financial hardship and other unexpected challenges.
Developed as an extension of the STC Student Food Pantry, the initiative helps address basic needs that can interfere with academic success by connecting eligible students with hygiene and other everyday essentials.
“We first established the food pantry, and through that process we learned students were requesting more than just food,” said STC Dean of Student Affairs Pablo Hernandez. “Many were struggling to afford personal care items such as shampoo, deodorant and other hygiene products, so the Jaguar Self-Care Den became the next step in supporting them.”
Since launching in summer 2024, the Jaguar Self-Care Den has provided eligible students with everyday essentials including shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, body soap and other hygiene products.
Supported by donations from STC departments, student organizations and faculty, the Jaguar Self-Care Den has continued to grow, expanding to the Mid-Valley, Starr County, Technology and Health Sciences campuses.
“We’re trying to provide holistic services. We want to support students in every way we can,” Hernandez said. “We believe that by helping students meet their basic needs, we’re doing everything we can to support their academic success. We’re very excited to have the Jaguar Self-Care Den available at every campus.”
Student Affairs staff Rosie Pena and Aldila Casiano-Cano, who coordinate the day-to-day distribution of personal care items and work directly with students seeking assistance, said the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many students grateful for the resources that help them overcome everyday challenges.
“Seeing a student experiencing a personal crisis and being able to help them is probably the most rewarding part of my job,” Pena said. “Knowing we can make their situation a little less stressful means everything.”
The Jaguar Self-Care Den is one of several student support resources available at STC. In addition to the STC Student Food Pantry, students have access to the Threads Career Closet for free professional attire, complimentary professional headshots, résumé reviews, mock interviews, the Student Wellness Center and a variety of other resources designed to support their academic and personal success.
For recent graduate Marc Cardenas, discovering student support services helped him navigate through college. As a student, he benefited from resources including the Jaguar Self-Care Den and the STC Student Food Pantry.
“Not every student has the same financial situation, and college can be expensive. Having a place where students can get those essentials makes a huge difference,” he said. “Now that I’ve graduated, I’ve been able to wear the professional clothing I received through the Threads Career Closet for job interviews. I love that STC students have access to so many free resources. They’ve been a huge part of my journey and played an important role in my success.”
The Jaguar Self-Care Den is available to eligible students who complete a needs assessment through the STC Student Food Pantry program. Students may receive personal care items once per semester, with additional assistance available for those experiencing unexpected hardships or emergencies.
Hernandez said student feedback continues to shape the initiative as the college explores additional ways to address basic needs.
“Student budgets are so tight that these essentials can make a real difference,” Hernandez said. “We’re always asking students what they’d like to see more of, and we take that feedback seriously as we continue building our services around their needs.”
Looking ahead, the college hopes to continue expanding its basic needs initiatives, including the addition of grab-and-go food options that would allow students to quickly access snacks and beverages between classes.
To learn more about the Jaguar Self-Care Den, determine eligibility or support the initiative through donations, contact STC Student Affairs at 956-872-3535.
Information source: STC
