Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
In a recent ceremony, South Texas College and Texas A&M Higher Education Center in McAllen (HCEM) sign a joint admission agreement that expands higher education opportunities for the students of the Rio Grande Valley.
“Together, with one of the largest and most innovative universities in Texas – Texas A&M University, we are meeting the needs of our students and employers, and that’s why we’re excited about this new unique partnership” said STC President Ricardo Solis, Ph.D. “Combining our academic and technical training is going to give us a workforce that is highly prepared and well rounded. We are making these opportunities happen.”
This agreement offers students who apply for admission directly to Texas A&M University, but do not meet admission requirements, a path to the Texas A&M HECM in McAllen by completing coursework at STC while maintaining a good academic standing.
The following requirements must be met to obtain guaranteed admission: complete 30 credit hours at STC that are applicable to a HECM degree plan, earn at least 25% of the degree hours at STC, maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average, satisfy residency requirements at STC for all academic coursework, meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements and complete a transfer application to HECM.
“From my first phone call with Dr. Solis, our shared commitment has been to build the strongest partnership that we could, to create and enhance opportunity,” said Manny Vela, Texas A&M HECM vice president and chief operating officer. “This agreement is all about that. This is the next stage in our partnership to ensure student success, and we will continue working together to not only strengthen our partnership, but to design additional opportunities until we’ve exhausted all options. STC, you’re doing amazing things and I’m glad to be included.”
STC Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Matthew Hebbard, Ph.D., said this partnership has been in the works for nearly two years, and it was Vela’s leadership that expedited this initiative.
“This partnership has great leaders,” he said. “Manny Vela has supported STC since day one. With this partnership we have brought innovative programs to facilitate smooth transitions for our students from STC to Texas A&M. We are expanding the outlook of higher education for students and families in the RGV.”
Last year, STC and Texas A&M University also joined forces to create a Texas A&M Engineering Academy at STC’s Pecan campus to serve students from Hidalgo and Starr Counties.
This unique program offers students an opportunity to pursue an engineering degree while co-enrolled at Texas A&M and STC. Students can save money during their first two years of college, before transitioning to the Texas A&M’s highly competitive school of Engineering.For more information, visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/partners/tamu-engineering/index.html
