Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D. has served South Texas College in many capacities, but her most recent appointment as Vice President for Academic Affairs has her ready to lead the division into a new era of innovation.
Petrosian’s goal of changing the landscape of higher education comes at the cusp of the college’s 30-year anniversary.
“It has been an honor to serve STC for more than two decades,” said Petrosian. “I have a heartfelt commitment and dedication to this college and its students. My vision is to promote innovation to expand educational opportunities.”
As Vice President, she leads more than 1,000 faculty members, in addition to several hundred full-time and part-time classified and professional staff, and is responsible for a budget of approximately $90 million.
In addition, she leads the STC academic divisions, curriculum development, professional development, distance learning, dual enrollment programs, continuing education and academic excellence programs such as STC’s Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and Valley Scholars Program.
STC President Ricardo J. Solis said he is proud to announce her formal appointment as vice president especially as the college continues to further develop opportunities to improve academic and workforce programs.
“Throughout the years, Dr. Petrosian has served STC admirably in her vice presidency and leading the Division of Academic Affairs,” said Solis. “I have full confidence that she is the best fit to lead our academic programs, including the anticipated development of additional baccalaureate degrees, expansion of our partnerships with local school districts and preparation for the upcoming five-year accreditation review. I look forward to our continued work in leading STC through this exciting transition.”
Petrosian’s vision includes increasing educational opportunities for underserved populations that lead to regional prosperity by expanding non-credit to credit program pathways; growing partnerships with industry and higher educational institutions to continue developing articulation agreements, increasing apprenticeships and recognition of STC’s academic transfer programs; developing new programs, branding STC as a comprehensive college and ensuring successful accreditation.
“STC has always been ahead of the curve, it’s in our DNA,” said Petrosian. “We have extraordinary faculty that are immersed in our college-going culture. We lead the country in many areas such as dual credit programs, competency-based learning and micro credentials. STC has the building blocks to continue growing its collaborations. We’re headed into a new era and it’s exciting to be a part of that.”
Over the last 25 years of Petrosian’s career at STC, she has served as faculty member and chair of the Public Service Administration and Business Administration programs and as the Assistant Vice President for Academic Advancement.
In the last two decades, she has also served in many leadership positions in the community and presented in numerous state and national conferences, including serving as a board member for the Texas Community College Instructional Administrators, for the Texas Association of College Technical Educators, the South Texas Higher Education Regional Council, Texas Association of Chief Academic Officers and Texas Leadership Alliance.
Petrosian said she is taking the opportunity she has been given to lead during a crucial time of growth and transition.
“I’m excited to see the many ways that STC will continue to change lives,” she said. “We’re in times of change and innovation and we’re embracing it. This is all for our students and the community. We’re here to support them and to meet their needs. We want them to know that STC is here for their success.”
