Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
Juan Gerardo Hernandez carries with him a story of empowerment, self-improvement and dedication that he brings to his job at South Texas College every day.
Often found behind the scenes, Hernandez is part of a team of four painters with STC’s Facilities Maintenance Department, serving all STC campuses from Rio Grande City to Weslaco. His strong work ethic and commitment to constant learning have carried him throughout his life, across two countries and far beyond his job duties.
“Every job I’ve been in, I’m always conscious that I’m getting paid to provide a good service, so I’m happy to do it and that’s always been my work ethic,” Hernandez, 61, said. “As part of STC, our main mission is to make sure the campus looks presentable and ready for students, staff and faculty. Knowing I play a part in the bigger picture that leads to student success is something I take a lot of pride in.”
Originally from Coahuila, Mexico, Hernandez’s path was shaped early by responsibility. He became a father at 19 and pursued technical studies while working as an assistant at the same school he graduated from, even teaching classes in his areas of specialization -the industrialization of fruits, vegetables and meat processing.
In the late 1980s, he followed his sisters to the Rio Grande Valley, looking for more opportunities to better support his two children and continue building his skills. He arrived in the United States with a focus on work, learning and providing for his family.
“I came looking for work and for a chance to have a better future,” Hernandez said. “Whatever opportunity I found, I was willing to take it. I started working in labor, picking everything from watermelon and onions to cherries and blueberries, then mowing lawns before moving into restaurant work.”
Hernandez dedicated himself to the restaurant industry for decades, working as a cook and later as a manager. While the work was steady, he felt drawn to expand his skills and pursue opportunities in education.
While working as a custodian with the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) Independent School District, he began taking classes through Region One Education Service Center, an experience that reconnected him with higher education and opened new doors.
“I always wanted to better myself. I wanted to learn more, gain more skills and try to move forward,” Hernandez said. “I took English classes, customer service, cooking and security. I believe all those classes helped me get hired at STC. And because I had started in education, coming to STC felt full circle.”
In 2016, he joined STC as a custodian at the Mid-Valley Campus, where he quickly embraced the position, taking pride in keeping the campus clean and welcoming.
Recognized by his peers and colleagues for his dedication and attention to detail, Hernandez was named Custodian of the Year in 2018, an honor that reflected both his work ethic and his commitment to service.
“Juan Hernandez was always very helpful with faculty and staff, and his demeanor reflected a professional who did his job very well,” said Daniel Montez, STC Mid-Valley Campus administrator. “I found him to be very conscientious and extremely helpful on our campus. He worked well with fellow STC employees and was well liked and respected. He is truly an asset to the college.”
During this time, Hernandez volunteered on painting projects whenever help was needed, an experience that helped him secure a painter position with the college just before 2020. As classes shifted online during the COVID-19 pandemic, he could often be seen painting across multiple STC campuses, helping maintain and refresh spaces.
“If people don’t notice the work and believe the facilities are always nice, I take that as a compliment. It means we’re doing our job right,” Hernandez said. “People often appreciate our work and I’m thankful for that. I enjoy working on big projects, maintaining the school’s new colors and helping build pride on campus.”
Even after stepping into a new role, Hernandez continues to take advantage of learning opportunities. With support from the college’s tuition assistance program for staff, he has taken Culinary Arts and music classes, embracing the experience of being a student again.
“I’ve always enjoyed working in schools,” Hernandez added. “Even when I started back in Mexico, I worked with students and in education and that was always my goal.”
Today, a father of five and a grandfather to 12, Hernandez continues working weekends at a Japanese restaurant and enjoys mowing lawns in his spare time. At STC, he hopes to keep growing both as an employee and a lifelong learner.
“Some of us are signing up for more English classes and I want to find other programs I can join,” Hernandez said. “I’m thankful to be here. You see people smiling and saying how good everything looks, how modern it feels. That means a lot to me. This is a great job. Every day I wake up happy to come to work and do the best that I can.”
Information Source: STC
