Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – A growing partnership between South Texas College and Texas A&M University Higher Education Center in McAllen is giving construction students a chance to gain real-world experience as they build construction projects that benefit communities in the region.
Students from STC’s Construction Management program recently teamed up with Texas A&M Construction Science students to complete a semester-long project, designing and building doghouses that will be donated to Palm Valley Animal Shelter.
Texas A&M student Salvador Gutierrez said the project represents months of planning brought to life.
“We started back in January,” Gutierrez said. “We created schedules, estimates, renders and designs, and now that the semester will be finishing soon, the time has come to build it. Partnering with STC gave us the opportunity to make it happen.”
For both institutions, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening educational pathways while preparing the next generation of professionals in the Rio Grande Valley.
The collaboration allows Texas A&M students to use STC’s facilities and tools while working alongside STC students, creating a shared learning environment that emphasizes teamwork and practical skills.
STC faculty say partnerships with other institutions like Texas A&M are essential to student success and long-term workforce development.
Faculty and students played significant roles in supporting the project, particularly in reinforcing safety practices and providing guidance throughout the project.
“It’s super important to have strong partners like Texas A&M,” said Israel Medrano, faculty member with STC’s Construction Management program. “We are able to support each other’s programs, share resources and create opportunities for students to learn from one another while preparing for careers in the construction industry.”
Beyond technical skills, students say the experience highlights the importance of collaboration across multiple trades.
“The industry is never going to stop growing,” said Texas A&M student Jacob Ramirez. “As the population increases, we are going to need more infrastructure. It’s amazing to see how different trades come together to create one final goal, in this case a building that can stand for decades.”
Gutierrez added that the hands-on nature of construction makes it especially rewarding.
The completed doghouses are expected to be donated to local animal shelters, which gives the project a personal touch and added sense of purpose, he said.
“At the end of the day, you can look back and see what you built,” he said. “Whether it’s a house, a bridge or a project like this…this is something real.”
For more information on STC’s Construction Management program visit, southtexascollege.edu/academics/construction/.
