Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College is expanding its reach to the community through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city of McAllen Public Library system that will allow STC to offer English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Education Development (GED) preparation classes at the city’s library branches beginning Oct. 13.
Under the agreement, GED classes will soon be available at the library’s Lark branch, while ESL courses will be offered at both the main public library branch on Nolana and 23rd St. and the Palm View branch on West Jordan St.
Olivia De La Rosa, dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, said the courses are part of the mission of the college to foster ties with the community.
By creating new points of access, more residents can take the first steps toward long-term career and educational opportunities, De La Rosa said.
“Both ESL and GED are a start for anybody who may be stuck in a low-wage job or unsure how to move forward,” she said. “These classes give them the skills to begin working or advancing in their current jobs, and they open the door to higher education through associate degrees and beyond.”
The MOU with the city was established over the summer when McAllen library staff approached STC’s Continuing Education program to explore new ways to bring essential programs directly into the community. While STC already offers ESL and GED classes across its campuses, the library sought to make opportunities more accessible for residents in north McAllen who may lack transportation to travel to college sites.
Through the agreement, ESL courses will be provided free of charge for the community, made possible through Texas Workforce Commission grants, which awarded STC $1 million dedicated to helping adult learners improve English proficiency, earn high school equivalency, gain industry-recognized credentials and achieve digital literacy.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with South Texas College in support of adult education within our community,” said Kristina Garcia, assistant library director of Public Services. “By offering ESL and GED classes across all three McAllen Public Library locations, we are enhancing accessibility and ensuring that adult learners have convenient opportunities to pursue their educational goals.”
De La Rosa said the partnership provides another avenue for residents to improve their education without added barriers. ESL and GED courses provide a critical role in areas of the Rio Grande Valley where high school dropout rates and low literacy rates remain challenges, she said.
“Both of these programs are so important for our community, especially in an area where we know there is low literacy and many high school dropouts,” she said. “These programs help grow our community in the right way.”
For more information on GED or ESL courses through STC, visit www.southtexascollege.edu/cpit/.
Information source: STC
