Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
South Texas College is welcoming Vicente Valle as the newest math lecturer at the Mid-Valley Campus this fall semester.
Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Valle brings nearly 13 years of teaching experience, a strong research background and a passion for making math accessible to all students.
Valle began his academic journey studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Guadalajara before moving to the United States to further his education. While transitioning between countries, he faced challenges with language barriers, especially in chemistry where terminology differed between English and Spanish. However, mathematics became his universal language.
“Mathematics transferred without a language barrier because it is the same everywhere and that is how I got my start into math,” he said.
His growing interest in math research led him to collaborate with professors, eventually opening doors to a summer research internship that solidified his passion for the field.
Valle went on to earn two master’s degrees from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in Applied Mathematics and from Iowa State University in Mathematical Sciences. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mathematics and Statistics with Interdisciplinary Applications at UTRGV.
Valle joined STC this past summer as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) tutor at the Center for Learning Excellence (CLE), where he helped students succeed while also receiving professional development and mentorship.
“Working at the CLE was a fantastic experience,” Valle said. “It’s more than just helping students succeed academically; they genuinely care about the professional growth of the tutors as well. I learned so much about teaching strategies, mentorship and student engagement while working there, and that experience has helped shape the way I approach my own classes as a lecturer.”
For Valle, teaching is more than instruction, it’s about sparking curiosity.
“My favorite part of teaching is when I explain something, and students process it in their own way. I enjoy letting them solve problems themselves and seeing that lightbulb moment. Math is like a puzzle, and guiding students through it is very rewarding.”
Encouraged by his family, his mother holds a master’s in Psychology and his father a Ph.D. in Education, Valle always felt motivated to continue learning. He also credits his own teachers for inspiring his path.
“I feel really lucky because I have never had a teacher I disliked or had trouble with. I believe they shaped me into the lecturer I am today and fueled my passion for teaching,” said Valle.
Valle’s teaching philosophy emphasizes both accessibility and real-world relevance.
“I hope students take away from my class that anyone can excel in math,” he said. “Many come in with a fear of math, often due to circumstances beyond their control. But I believe anyone can be successful if they put in the time and effort.”
He also integrates practical applications into his lessons.
“I like to apply math to real-world problems and things students are interested in,” he said. “It helps them see that math is real and makes it easier to understand.”
Looking ahead, Valle is especially interested in how technology will shape higher education.
“I’ve had really interesting conversations with students about their feelings towards artificial intelligence (AI) in education, its safety and future,” he said. “Students are aware these tools exist, and I look forward to seeing how colleges adapt to integrate them to give students a better educational experience.”
With his dedication to teaching, research and innovation, STC is excited to have Valle inspire and mentor the next generation of problem-solvers at the Mid-Valley Campus.
