Texas Border Business
MCALLEN, TX (February 22, 2017) – South Texas College, the City of Pharr and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo School District (PSJA ISD) will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the highly anticipated Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence on Friday, March 3 at 4300 S. Cage Blvd in Pharr, the area immediately south of PSJA Southwest Early College High School at 10 a.m.
“This Education Center will benefit the region by adding additional programs in public safety, law enforcement, border security, and fire science. These programs provide college level certificates and degrees for public safety and law enforcement professionals in the Rio Grande Valley. Furthermore, this Center will be able to accommodate the professional continuing education courses required by all law enforcement officers. The spectrum of courses offered will cover all the needs of our region,” said Mario Reyna, Dean for Business and Technology at STC. “Traveling to College Station or San Antonio for specialized training will be a thing of the past.”
A true collaboration, the RCPSE would not be possible without significant contributions from the city, school district and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Pharr has contributed 59 acres of land worth $2.5 million, and the Basic Peace Office Certification Program will initially be operated in part with the Pharr Police Academy.
“Pharr’s commitment to this campus and training facility was an investment not only in our community, but for the benefit of the entire region. With our great partnerships and more than 200 acres of land availability nearby, this Public Safety Campus lays the groundwork to eventually serve as a unique national model for homeland security that will accommodate the security, law enforcement and public safety training needs on a local, regional, state-wide, and national level,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez M.D. “We applaud the strong collaboration and combined efforts between the City of Pharr, South Texas College, and PSJA ISD to make this project a success and contribute to the safety, security, and education of our citizens.” .
PSJA ISD contributed 10 acres of land and an additional $1 million for the construction of four classrooms to serve dual enrollment students in criminal justice and other public safety programs.
“This state-of-the-art facility will be the first college campus in the tri-city community, made possible by the great partnership that exists between South Texas College, the City of Pharr and PSJA ISD,” Dr. Daniel King, PSJA ISD Superintendent said. “It will be used by law enforcement agencies for training, certification and practice, and will increase access to higher education to our students and all our citizens.”
South Texas College will be able to offer expanded degree and certificate programs leading to great careers in public safety.
“Through PSJA’s Early College partnership with STC, many more of our students will be able to earn degrees and become certified in numerous areas that will advance their education and preparation for the careers of their choice,” Dr. King said.
