Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College celebrated a year of achievements and kicked off its Dual Credit Programs’ 25th anniversary, during its annual Convocation Ceremony held at the McAllen Convention Center.
STC’s more than 2,000 faculty and staff members, and superintendents and high school students from its 21 partnering dual credit high schools joined in the celebration led by STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., Board of Trustees and college administration.
“Today we celebrate you. Your hard work over the last year has yielded transformative results that are creating change within our communities,” said Solis. “STC is growing and gaining national attention because of our innovative technology and bold solutions…and today we are also commemorating a momentous milestone; our Dual Credit Programs is celebrating 25 years of success. This is a big day for STC.”
STC is a pioneer in Dual Credit Programs and has one of the largest programs in the state. Established in 2000, it also the only program accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Programs (NACEP).
STC’s Dual Credit program is currently boasting a 13% enrollment increase, serving 21 Rio Grande Valley school districts encompassing 70 high schools. Over the last 25 years, the dual credit program has served over 130,000 students and has saved families more than $425 million in tuition costs.
“This is a big year for our Dual Credit Programs…25 years of excellence,” said Rebecca De Leon, associate vice president of Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships. “Our program is for every student. It is through our partnerships that we have been able to support students across Hidalgo and Starr Counties find success and fulfill their dreams.”
Nick Gonzalez, the godfather of dual credit, reminisced about the beginning of dual credit at STC and relished at its growth and how many families the program has impacted.
I’ve been an educator all my life and when I would ask students about college and they’d tell me, ‘No sir, I have to go work,’ it would break my heart. I knew I needed to do something about this,” said Gonzalez. “When I started dual credit in the spring of 1999, it was just me, myself and I. I drove everywhere in an old suburban to meet with counselors, and they all loved the concept, especially because it was at no charge to our students. Since then, there have been so many hands at ensuring this program remains successful.”
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) Independent School District is one of STC’s largest dual credit partners. Superintendent Alejandro Elias, Ph.D., gave a huge shout out to STC Dual Credit Programs on 25 years.
“We currently serve over 1,500 students right now at PSJA through dual credit and in the last decade, it has saved our school district families more than 80 million dollars,” said Elias. “Thank you STC on 25 years and for being a great partner.”
Marcey Sorenson, La Joya Superintendent, also shared Elias’ sentiment.
We are so lucky to have South Texas College, who believes in us and believes in our students,” said Sorenson. “STC offers rich programing that is changing our students’ lives, and we are so grateful to STC. Congratulations on 25 years.”
The kickoff to Dual Credit’s 25th Anniversary, also included performances by Mariachi Juvenil Azteca from Edcouch-Elsa ISD, Johnny Economedes High School Folklorico Jaguar from Edinburg CISD, Mariachi Grulla de Plata from Rio Grande City CISD and the PSJA Drumline.
In addition, each partnering school district was represented by a pair of students who participated to showcase the partnerships in a grand finale.
In addition to celebrating Dual Credit’s 25th anniversary, STC administration also highlighted their departments’ achievements from the past year.
From the initiation of STC’s Valley Promise Program, the growth seen within STC’s Foundation to capital expansion projects and new implemented strategic plan, the college has seen exponential growth and has gained national attention for its dedication to creating a college-going culture and student success.
“STC is creating multigenerational changes within the families of our region,” said STC Board Chair Alejo Salinas, Ph.D. “From our dual credit programs to the advancements and economic growth the college has afforded our region, it’s an exciting time to be a Trustee. It was 30 years ago that I joined STC and now three decades later, we are celebrating exponential growth and success, together as an STC family.”
