Texas Border Business
Integration of IT Certificates into Courses Fall 2022
Teas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – Contributing his success in the real world to professional certificates he received while pursuing a bachelor’s degree at South Texas College, Alejandro Farias believes STC’s Computer & Information Technologies Program (CITP) greatly increased his chances for employment in the Information Technology industry.
Alejandro, who previously had earned a Computer Application Specialist Certificate from STC, graduated in May with a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Computer and Information Technologies. While pursuing his baccalaureate degree, he was able to obtain a Google IT Support Professional Certificate and Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate as well.
Now employed as an IT Support Specialist at Lone Star National Bank, Alejandro reflects on how important the certificates were as he entered the job market.
“Some certifications like Python were challenging, but the program’s IT support feature helped me a lot when it came to end user’s issues,” Alejandro said. “I learned to stay calm, and how to keep the user calm as well, which are so important in our business. Surprisingly, no matter how simple the tips were, they were very effective.”
The CIT Program at South Texas College is now ensuring that success stories like Alejandro’s are the norm rather than the exception.
Beginning in the fall, the BAT-CIT program will integrate six of its courses with Google Professional Certificates or Amazon Web Services (AWS) certificates. The Bachelor in Operations Management (OPMG) will also incorporate a Google Project Management certificate into two of its courses. The goal is to have all bachelor’s degree candidates obtain a professional certificate as they work through the program, according to administrators. The CIT and OPMG program courses set up for certificates include the following:
CITP 3305 System Analysis and Design with a Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate
CITP 3306 Internet/Intranet Server Integration with a Google IT Support Professional Certificate
CITP 3312 Fundamentals of Information Security with an AWS Academy Cloud Foundations Training Certificate with an option to pursue/obtain the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification.
CITP 3320 Database Management with a Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate.
CITP 4301 Capstone with a Google Project Management Professional Certificate.
CITP 4350 Advanced Computer Programming with a Google UX Design Professional Certificate.
OPMG 4321 Project Management Seminar.
OPMG 4347 Capstone with a Google Project Management Professional Certificate.
“We are embedding these IT certificates in each of these courses so that when they finish the course, students will have invaluable knowledge and practice gained from them to help our graduates in the workforce,” said Saeed Molki, Computer Science and BAT-CIT Department Chair. “All of our faculty have the certificates themselves, so they can offer these courses this way. All of our lab assistants who are in charge of tutoring have the certificates as well. This is something we have been working on for nearly two years.”
South Texas College is one of 100 community colleges across the country and only four in the state of Texas currently offering the Google certificate program.
An initiative of Grow with Google, the certificate program is offered in partnership with Coursera, a leading online learning platform for higher education focused on mastering fundamental skills in the IT workforce, including troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security.
Coursework includes a combination of interactive learning strategies and assessments, including video lectures, practice exercises, and supplemental reading, to support and enhance the learner’s information technology skills.
Since Fall 2020, the start of the certificate at STC, at least 177 students of the BAT-CIT program have successfully obtained Google professional certificates.
“I have always seen the value of programs like Competency-based Education or micro-credentialing, or industry certification and they are all part and parcel of more added value that we can give to the students,” said Dr. Ruben Flores, Program Chair for STC’s Bachelor of Applied Technology in Operations Management (formerly Technology Management). “You know the CIT Program has always been the model. They are the ones who have always worked with integrating industry certificate/certifications as part of course curriculum and have done an excellent job. CIT gave me great ideas as to where I want to take the program. This will encourage the instructors in my own program to embrace this as well and build a stackable experience for students.”
Students interested in the course offerings and who are seeking information on the various Google certificates can visit course information websites at:
https://grow.google/certificates/it-support/
https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-data-analytics
https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-it-automation
https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-data-analytics
https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-ux-design
https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-project-management
RGV Law Enforcement to Assist Uvalde with Needs
Texas Border Business
The McAllen Police Department, San Juan Police Department and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department have dispatched officers and deputies to assist law enforcement agencies in Uvalde with the elevated service demand associated with the mass casualty event there. Other Texas cities have also sent law enforcement personnel to support the effort.
Javier Villalobos
Courtesy Image
“The McAllen Police Department is always at the forefront of these efforts to assist neighboring communities in times of crisis and need,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “We are hopeful that their presence will help the city of Uvalde through the difficult days ahead and the healing period that will follow.”
“I am proud of the men and women in of McAllen PD who will be there to help our sister community in need when as a state and as a nation, we to try to make sense of this senseless tragedy,” said McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.
Statement on Edinburg Police Officers Heading to Uvalde
The Edinburg Police Department along with multiple law enforcement agencies from all around the state of Texas, are joining together to provide support, security, and healing to the grieving community of Uvalde. Tomorrow, an Edinburg sergeant and four officers will join their brothers and sisters in blue during this time. We stand with Uvalde, Texas.
Laredo Border Patrol Youth of the Year 2021 – 2022
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Antonio Sangerman, a senior at Dr. Leonides G. Cigarroa High School (CHS), was selected as the Laredo Sector Border Patrol Youth of the Year for 2021 – 2022. The announcement was made in a video by Laredo Sector Acting Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Greg M. Burwell during the school’s graduation ceremony on Thursday evening.
Antonio will graduate with an associate degree from Laredo College in science through the Sabas Perez Early College Academy. He plans to attend college and obtain a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering. He wants to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut at NASA. Activities he participated included Orchestra, Student Advisory committee, UIL Debate, and the National Honor Society while working as a crew member at McDonald’s.
The Youth of the Year ceremony culminates the Youth of the Month program that recognizes students from all Laredo high schools each month during the academic year. Students are selected for the honor based on academic achievement, community involvement, and demonstration of their dedication to succeed. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the program.
The Youth of the Year was established by Border Patrol as an effort to recognize Laredo students for their outstanding achievements. Our community partners play an integral role in the Border Patrol Youth of the Month/Youth of the Year program as they reflect the commitment and dedication in supporting education by highlighting Laredo’s young leaders throughout the academic year.
Acting Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Greg Burwell said, “The Youth of the Month and Youth of the Year is not just a celebration of the achievements of these outstanding students, but of the educators and parents that are an important and integral part of their education as students and citizens of the Laredo community. Educators, you provide the network of support as role models to guide them on their path of academic success that will lead them to a bigger and brighter future. Parents, you give them the foundation through family that strengthens them to deal with the pressures and obstacles they have and will face as they leave highs school and face a world that will challenge them. Lastly, I would like to thank our partners in recognizing these outstanding students for their achievements. Congratulations Antonio and may you along with all of the other honorees continue to make Laredo proud.”
Terracon Names Martin Reyes Geotechnical Group Manager
Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas — Terracon, a leading provider of environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services, has named Martin Reyes Group Manager of Geotechnical Services in its’ Pharr office location. In his new role Martin will supervise or monitor all projects in progress in the department to ensure on-time execution in accordance with the client’s requirements and within company policies, procedures and standards. In addition, he will supervise the preparation of proposals and cost estimates and daily operations.
A native of Mexico, Reyes earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Instituto Tecnológico de Nuevo Laredo, in Tamaulipas, Mexico. With more than 30 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, he has proven himself to be an expert in the industry. Reyes joined Terracon in 2001, serving as a project manager for geotechnical services in the Laredo office prior tomoving to Pharr in 2015.
Terracon is an employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 5,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide. Explore with us by visiting terracon.com.
Student Food Pantry at Starr County Campus Awarded $10K
Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – STC’s Campus Student Food Pantry has received $10,000 in food reimbursements from the South Texas Food Bank (STFB) to support students in Starr County.
The funds were made possible through two grants including the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) grant by FEMA and the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress in 2021 that covers 75% of the college’s shared maintenance fee with the food bank.
Funds will cover the cost whenever STC orders the food from STFB, which is the college’s supplier in Starr County. The grant is slated to run until April 2023.
“Managing food pantries at our Pecan, Mid-Valley and Starr campuses is part of a vital mission to keep the students engaged and involved at South Texas College,” said STC President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis. “Food pantries are just one way we support them while keeping them enrolled so they graduate. Leadership at STC will do everything in its power to alleviate concerns and issues they may have while having them continue with their classes. The last thing they should have to worry about is something like food.”
According to a recent Hope Survey, 38% of college students at two year colleges experienced food insecurity. The problem has worsened in the wake of a pandemic.
South Texas College’s food pantry sole purpose remains to supply food to the students and families who need it most. The initiative gives students the opportunity to receive a college education and have food in their refrigerator, without sacrificing one for the other.
South Texas College’s Pecan Campus in McAllen and Mid Valley Campus in Weslaco are both located in Hidalgo County, which holds a poverty rate of 26.9 percent. Meanwhile, Starr County Campus in Rio Grande City resides in a county with a poverty rate of 32.5 percent—one of the highest in the state.
The pandemic accentuated the food pantry’s value, as students faced with unemployment, housing concerns, and less opportunities for work struggled to meet basic needs.
The STC food pantry at Starr County assisted 66 families in April alone, according to organizers.
“Our main goal is to ensure students do not to go hungry,” said Elizabeth Lopez, coordinator of Student Activities and Events at Starr County, which is also in charge of managing the student pantry. “We prioritize that they (students) do well academically but how can they do that if they’re hungry?”
Since 2017, the pantry has helped provide eligible students with food items such as canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice, beans, flour, oil and other essential items. Eligible students can pick up food from the pantry two days out of the week for themselves and their families.
The pantry’s benefits don’t stop at food. Additional resources to help students thrive in their education are also available across the Pecan, Mid Valley, and Starr campuses, such as counseling services and career and employer services.
“We know there is a huge need for food here and we see that when students share the number of family members in their house and when they share their income…you can just feel the need,” Lopez said. “We know that what they are getting out of the Student Food Pantry is really helping them out though.”
According to a study completed by public researchers at John Hopkins University, students who experience food insecurity are 43 percent less likely to graduate from a two- or four-year program when compared to their food secure classmates. And, students who experience food insecurity are more likely to earn a lower grade point average.
Lopez says the food pantry not only aims to help students find their next meal, but promotes awareness of student hunger in an effort to achieve system-wide change.
Rather than physical food donations, the food pantry exclusively accepts monetary contributions. This allows for a more diverse range of food selections for students, plus added opportunity for community support.
Students can begin the anonymous process and receive information about the food pantry here. Meanwhile, food pantries across the Mid Valley, Pecan, and Starr campuses continue to accept donations through the STC Marketplace website.
RGV Agents Rescue Migrants
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents encountered six large groups and disrupted a human smuggling attempt at the checkpoint.
Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint agents rescued 13 migrants from a locked tractor trailer on May 24. Agents referred the rig to the secondary inspection area following a K-9 alert and initiated a search. The migrants were discovered hidden among pallets of scrap metal. An additional three noncitizens were found hidden in the cab of the truck. The migrants are nationals of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Brazil.
Over the past three days, McAllen Border Patrol Station agents encountered four large groups near Mission and Hidalgo. The groups were comprised of 176 single adults, 190 family members, and 101 unaccompanied children. The migrants are from various Central and South American countries, and Cuba.
Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station agents encountered two other large groups near La Grulla. The groups were comprised of 119 single adults, 145 family members, and 82 unaccompanied children. The migrants were from Cuba and Central American countries.
Border Patrol processed all subjects accordingly.
Former Mission Mayor Endorses Norie Gonzalez-Garza
Texas Border Business
Former Mission Mayor “Beto Salinas” has endorsed Norie Gonzalez-Garza for Mayor of Mission in the upcoming run-off election on June 11th. Early voting starts May 31st.
I am pleased to offer my full support and urge the Mission voters to support Norie Gonzalez Garza for Mayor of Mission. My campaign focused on issues that require immediate attention – from nullifying the PSI Contract to fiscal responsibility, among others. It is my duty and obligation as a political candidate and former Mayor of this great city to select the most viable candidate. There is no doubt that Norie For Mission Mayor is the candidate who shares a similar vision but takes a different approach and loves this city as much as I do.
Norberto “Beto” Salinas
Investigation On Robb Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today provided an update on the state’s ongoing response to yesterday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Following a briefing with federal, state, and local officials, the Governor was joined at the press conference by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, Senator John Cornyn, Senator Ted Cruz, Attorney General Ken Paxton, State Senator Roland Gutierrez, State Representative Tracy King, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath, Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Hal Harrell, and other state and local officials.
“All Texans have been shaken to their core in the wake of the horrific tragedy that occurred yesterday in the close-knit community of Uvalde,” said Governor Abbott. “We must come together in support of the families of the innocent victims, the law enforcement officers who heroically responded, and the entire Uvalde community, which will be impacted by this senseless act of violence for generations to come. As the investigation by state and local authorities continues, it is our duty as elected officials to evaluate all possible means of making our schools safer to prevent future tragedies and ensure communities across the state—whether they are underserved populations within large cities or rural areas of the state—have the mental health resources needed. The State of Texas continues working to better protect and serve all Texans, young and old.”
Governor Abbott implored all members of the Uvalde community – victims, families, family members, friends, and law enforcement – to use available mental and emotional health resources as they begin to navigate the weight of this tragedy.
The Governor added the ongoing investigation is being led by DPS Texas Rangers and the Uvalde Police Department and supported by DPS Highway Patrol and Criminal Investigation, DPS Aircraft and Intelligence, and DPS Crime and Victim Support. Additionally, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol, San Antonio Police Department, San Antonio Fire Department, and other local law officials are also providing resources in support of the investigation.
Texans in the Uvalde community are strongly encouraged to use mental health resources provided by federal, state, and local partners in the area, including: Family Resource Center in Uvalde County Fairplex, Uvalde Civic Center school crisis teams, Texas Child Mental Health Consortium, Bluebonnet Children’s Advocacy Center, and counseling services provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and TEA. DPS and FBI are also providing mental health services for law enforcement officers. The Uvalde District Attorney’s Office for Victim Services is also available by phone at 830-278-2916.
Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Illinois To Stop Counting Of Ballots Received After Election Day
Judicial Watch
Washington, DC – Judicial Watch announced today it filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois on behalf of Congressman Mike Bost and two other registered Illinois voters to prevent state election officials from extending Election Day for 14 days beyond the date established by federal law (Rep. Michael J. Bost, Laura Pollastrini, and Susan Sweeney v. The Illinois State Board of Elections and Bernadette Matthews (No. 1:22-cv-02754)).
Judicial Watch argues that Illinois election law violates federal law, which defines Election Day as “the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year.” The complaint states:
Despite Congress’ clear statement regarding a single national Election Day, Illinois has expanded Election Day by extending by 14 days the date for receipt and counting of vote-by-mail ballots
Judicial Watch points out that the current Illinois election law allows vote-by-mail ballots received up to 14 days “after the polls close on Election Day” to be counted as if they were cast and received on or before Election Day. Illinois law also provides that “[e]ven vote-by-mail ballots without postmarks shall be counted if received up to 14 calendar days after Election Day if the ballots are dated on or before Election Day.”
Judicial Watch’s lawsuit notes:
The Board … advised that the number of ballots received after Election Day through November 17, 2020, could materially affect the unofficial election results.
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[Illinois’ own data indicates that] Illinois received 266,417 vote-by-mail ballots statewide during the period from November 3rd through November 17th.
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[M]ost of the 266,417 vote-by-mail ballots were received after Election Day, which would mean that as many as 4.4% of votes cast in 2020 were received after Election Day. [Emphasis in original]
Judicial Watch argues that holding voting open for 14 days past Election Day violates the constitutional rights of voters and candidates:
By counting untimely and illegal ballots received after Election Day and diluting Plaintiffs’ timely cast and received ballots, Defendants, acting under color of Illinois law, have deprived and are depriving Plaintiffs of rights protected under the First Amendment and 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
“We are supposed to have an Election Day, not Election Weeks – or months. Illinois’ 14-day extension of Election Day beyond the date set by Congress is illegal, violates the civil rights of voters, and encourages fraud,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
In a separate Judicial Watch election lawsuit against Illinois, a federal court ruled in June 2021 that the lawsuit could proceed against Illinois officials for denying public access to Illinois’ voter registration database.
In February 2022, Judicial Watch settled its lawsuit against North Carolina and two of its counties after the North Carolina removed over 430,000 ineligible names from the voter rolls.
In March 2022, a Maryland court ruled in favor of Judicial Watch’s challenge to Maryland’s Democratic legislature “extreme” congressional redistricting gerrymander.
For more than 25 years, Judicial Watch has been known for its aggressive, leading-edge use of public records laws and lawsuits, as well as taxpayer, civil rights and whistleblower protection litigation to fight government corruption. Judicial Watch is a national leader in voting integrity and voting rights. As part of this effort, Judicial Watch assembled a team of highly experienced voting rights attorneys who stopped discriminatory elections in Hawaii, and cleaned up voter rolls in California, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, among other achievements.
Christine Svenson, Esq., of Svenson Law Offices in Palatine, Illinois, is assisting Judicial Watch with the lawsuit.
