Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) student Roel Ramirez is now stepping into the workforce with a degree in hand and career underway thanks to STC’s Valley Promise Program, which is turning opportunity into reality for students across the Rio Grande Valley.
Ramirez, who is set to graduate this May with his associate degree in HVACR, is among the latest group of graduates who have seen the benefits of Valley Promise, a last-dollar initiative designed to expand access to higher education.
“I knew Valley Promise was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Ramirez said. “It immediately took the stress off from me because I didn’t have to worry about loans or putting that pressure on my family. It allowed me to focus on my classes and keep moving forward.”
Launched in 2024, Valley Promise – or La Promesa del Valle – is a last-dollar initiative that covers tuition and fees after financial aid and other scholarships are applied. The program aims to remove financial barriers and allow students like Ramirez to concentrate on earning their degrees and entering high-demand careers.
Ramirez, who said he has already secured his first job in the field before graduating, said the support made a difference.
“I actually started my job recently,” Ramirez said. “It’s exciting. You prepare for this for so long and then suddenly now it’s here. With the help of STC and Valley Promise I have found a career that feels fulfilling at this point in my life.”
A graduate from McAllen High School, Ramirez began his college journey early through STC’s Dual Credit Programs, earning industry certifications before graduating high school. Rather than entering the workforce immediately, he chose to continue his education at STC, which helped him transition from classroom to career through hands-on training and real-world scenarios guided by faculty.
“They put you in situations where you have to think and solve problems, like you would on the job,” Ramirez said. “Now, it’s about applying what I have learned on my own.”
Programs like STC’s Valley Promise are designed to help more students reach moments like Ramirez’s.
According to the Lumina Foundation, an independent organization based in Indianapolis dedicated to creating opportunities for students after high school, only 19% of adults in the Rio Grande Valley hold an associate degree or higher, which is significantly lower than state and national averages.
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., has previously said that Valley Promise is part of a broader effort to change that trajectory, with the goal of making college free for all.
“Our Valley Promise program is changing the educational landscape in our region,” Solis said. “This initiative is a game changer for students and families. It’s going to make education more accessible, break down barriers and transform generations.”
For Ramirez, the support from STC extended beyond finances. Encouraged by family, he navigated the program and stayed on track toward completion with a dedicated support coach.
As he reflects on his journey, Ramirez said the opportunity to graduate debt free and begin a career in a high-demand field has been life-changing.
As he takes his first step into the workforce, he hopes other students recognize the opportunities available to them.
“It has been a great help. That’s the honest truth,” he said. “You just have to jump in. You have to find what you want to do and go for it. Time is valuable, and what you do with it will shape your future.”
