Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – A blueprint for the region’s future is taking shape at South Texas College.
Now in its second year, STC’s Architecture program has surged from 13 students to over 70, fueled by industry demand, scholarships and a desire to shape the future aesthetic of the Rio Grande Valley.
Now, as the only Architecture school in the region, faculty say there is excitement as it begins to shape a local and affordable pathway to careers in the field.
“There is excitement in the air. There’s a consensus among new and returning students that there are so many more opportunities, so many more possibilities out there to continue in the Architecture field and everyone is ready for that change,” said Architecture Program Chair Mario Serna. “The Valley is growing, and in response to the demand by those already established in the industry, we have become the first architecture school in Hidalgo County to fulfill a need for professionals in our region.”
Designed as a completely new addition to the more than 130 programs STC offers, Architecture will work in tandem with STC’s established Architecture Engineering and Design Technology (AEDT) program.
The new program offers an Associate of Science Degree that facilitates a seamless transfer to public universities in Texas through a field of study agreement.
While STC’s AEDT program equips students with the technical skills for immediate entrance into the workforce, the Architecture program focuses on elements of design, project management and critical thinking.
Established to address the growing needs for architects in the region, which faculty like Serna say is underserved, STC is now the conduit by which students will receive the necessary education and training to become architects and contribute to regional development.
“We have this big ecosystem where we need both—architects and drafters,” Serna said, referring to both AEDT and Architecture programs at STC. “We saw we were doing great with AEDT, so it was only sensible to provide the other side of the coin, so to speak, where not only are we providing drafters into the industry, but we’re giving them a new route to become an architect.”
The program’s creation was a collaborative effort, driven by the industry’s demand for skilled professionals and the desire to offer a comprehensive architectural education.
Architecture students are receiving scholarships in partnership with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which provides assistance with certifications, demonstrating industry support for the program and students.
Michael Anaya is a second-year student in the Architecture program who says faculty like Serna have helped students like him to develop a more meaningful outlook that is focused on creating environments that are functional, thoughtful and responsive to those who use them.
“The Architecture program has shaped how I approach design—transforming creative ideas into purposeful spaces,” Anaya said. “The lessons we learn in the program also prepare us to take on real-world projects with confidence and clarity.”
Karry Arronis, who is currently a project technician with STC’s Facilities Planning and Construction department is a first-year student in the Architecture program. Arronis said her goal is to earn an associate degree and then transfer to Texas A&M University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
She hopes to complete the necessary licensure exams and launch her own practice, taking on both commercial and residential projects.
“The entire construction journey—watching a building emerge from nothing in mere months or years—is amazing to me,” Arronis said. “I aspire to design structures that people can not only inhabit but also feel safe in for generations. Architecture isn’t just out there, it surrounds us, shapes our days, and that’s something I want to help with…I’m also eager to develop confidence in navigating critical building codes and accessibility standards like ADA requirements which are really important.”
For more information on STC’s Architecture program visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/architecture/.
Classes begin Aug. 25.
Information source: STC
