Texas Border Business
Pharr, Texas – South Texas College will announce its official partnership with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers and three U.S. Homeland Security agencies at a college credit agreement ceremony on April 24.
These will be the federal agencies’ first partnership training agreements in the state of Texas.
The ceremony will formalize the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), the U.S. Field Operations Academy, and the U.S. Border Patrol Academy. These agreements expound how much college credit South Texas College will grant federal agents for training they have already completed through federal programs.
The event will be held at STC’s Regional Center for Public Safety (RCPSE) at 10 a.m. The Regional Center will host these training programs where the college already provides other in-demand training opportunities for local, state, and federal public safety and law enforcement officers.
“The key to having a vibrant community is dependent on the quality of education available to all our business, industry, and law enforcement partners,” said Mario Reyna, Dean of Business, Technology, and Public Safety at STC. “The partnership agreement that we signed with our federal law enforcement agencies will grant college credit for the federal law enforcement academies graduates who want to pursue a Law Enforcement Associate degree at South Texas College.”
“This unique opportunity will allow all the federal agents in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to get a jumpstart on their education once they enroll with additional coursework at South Texas College,” Reyna said.
Dr. Anahid Petrosian, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs said, “These historic agreements are the culmination of a yearlong process by leaders at South Texas College and the federal agencies.”
In order to provide credit for prior learning experiences, “A thorough review of the rigorous training that federal law enforcement trainees undergo was paired up with our law enforcement program offerings, and where possible, curricula were expanded to provide additional college credit. These new clear education pathways for our hard-working federal law enforcement professionals foster a closer relationship that will continue to build our community outreach,” added Dr. Petrosian.
“These types of partnerships with our federal agencies are exactly the caliber of initiatives the STC board of trustees envisioned for the Regional Center,” noted Paul R. Rodriguez, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony preceded by STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed who will provide opening remarks.
“This partnership with South Texas College is critical in providing the highest level of law enforcement training to South Texas,” Congressman Cuellar said. “By combining the expertise of our local, state and federal law enforcement, fire safety, and public safety officers, we will have a better-trained police workforce.”
“I fought to include this language in the fiscal year 2019 Homeland Security bill because I believe that a safe homeland starts with smart investments in our men and women in uniform,” Cuellar said. “This program will ensure that we continue to recruit talented individuals and provide opportunities for them to specialize in law enforcement.”
“I would like to thank South Texas College for their continued support on this issue — Their partnership is key to increasing support to our state and local law enforcement agencies, increasing safety along the border,” Cuellar said.
VIPs slated to be in attendance include Isidro Lagos, Branch Chief of Field Operations Academy U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Carlos R. Ortiz, Acting Deputy Chief Patrol Agent with U.S. Border Patrol Academy U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, and Director of FLETC Thomas J. Walters.
“The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers is honored to participate in the partnership with South Texas College,” said FLETC Director Walters. “This partnership allows Federal law enforcement graduates to continue developing academically. We are looking forward to working together to enhance and promote the educational needs of our nation’s law enforcement professionals.”
“The Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence Advisory Council strives to provide the best training available to law enforcement officers in the Rio Grande Valley and the availability of college credits for completed training permits faster attainment of college degrees for those professionals who seek additional education,” said Paul Varville, Chief Administrator for the RCPSE.
A Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), and the Office of Field Operations (OFO) to provide curriculum, training, and courses at South Texas College will take place at STC’s Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE) located 3901 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX on Wednesday, April 24 at 10 a.m.
