Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College and the Consulate of Mexico in McAllen have an ongoing collaboration to increase the educational levels of Mexican nationals or persons of Mexican origin living in the United States through dedicated Institute for Mexicans Abroad Scholarships (IME Becas).
In a recent ceremony, Consul Froylán Yescas Cedillo presented STC with $8,000 that will be matched by the college, as stated in the agreement, to provide scholarships to eligible students who are enrolled in adult education, technological education, undergraduate or postgraduate programs.
“First and foremost, we are so appreciative of the support the Consulate of Mexico is giving us,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “This is significant for us, our students and our community, here in South Texas. These funds will be utilized for students who need this type of financial support and to strengthen our region.”
Eligible students can receive up to $1,000 scholarships to help with tuition, books, supplies, among other expenses.
Cedillo said IME Becas was initiated to promote educational opportunities and strengthen the capacities of Mexican communities in the U.S.
“Our goal is to continue increasing the range and number of persons benefiting from IME Becas; perhaps in the coming years we can add another zero to our donation amount to STC,” Cedillo said. “Our community is so big with an expansive amount of people who can benefit from this, and we work daily to improve access to education through partners like STC.”
IME Becas of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States is essential in its mission to contribute to empowerment, integration and better development in the country in which Mexican nationals or persons of Mexican origin reside.
In 2023, the Mexican government contributed $19,000 to the Mexican Consulate in Mexico for IME Becas funds to allocate to various institutions of higher education throughout Hidalgo County.
At STC, Solis said its innovative approach to higher education, short-term programs and workforce training are meeting industry and regional needs. In addition, STC is the only community college in Texas to offer five bachelor’s degree programs and has begun to build a strong global initiative with schools and manufacturing centers across the border.
“We are honored to be working with the Mexican Consulate. It aligns with our values and our mission of strengthening our region, which also includes our international partnerships,” he said. “We are one region, and we are dependent on one another to develop and find success.”
STC Global Development Manager Luisa Fernanda Rodriguez leads STC’s global initiatives and added that the alliance between STC and its neighbors across the border helps provide life-changing opportunity.
“IME Becas isn’t new to us, we’ve worked together for many years, and I can tell you that these scholarships provide better opportunity and allows students to change the lives of their families, their region and communities,” she said.
Mirroring her sentiment, STC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Economic Development Rodney Rodriguez, Ph.D., said, “Many of our initiatives pertain to economic development and finding the right path for our students, so along with the areas of study and training we have in place, these funds are going to help us continue our work.”
