Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
A national leader in Dual Credit Programs, South Texas College is celebrating its National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment (NACEP) reaccreditation, making it still the only dual credit program in the state to be nationally accredited.
The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) is the leading membership organization supporting programs that successfully transition students from high school to college through college credit-bearing courses that promote quality programming through national standards, accreditation and professional development.
“This reaccreditation by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) reflects South Texas College’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality dual credit opportunities that empower students to succeed in college and beyond,” said Associate Vice President of Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships Rebecca De Leon, Ed.D. “It signifies that the college-level courses offered at our partnering high school campuses meet the same standards of quality, rigor and academic excellence as courses taught on STC campuses.”
STC partners with 21 school districts at 70 high school sites from Weslaco to Starr County, including Santa Maria ISD in Cameron County, serving more than 150,000 students since 2000 and saving families across the Rio Grande Valley more than $464 million.
STC Dual Credit Programs offer students an associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, or core curriculum courses that are transferrable to four-year universities across the state.
In addition, STC’s Dual Credit Programs also provide students with Career and Technical Education (CTE) degree options in careers such as Cybersecurity Specialist; Diesel Technology; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC); Robotics and Mechatronics Technology, among many others.
Furthermore, local high school students also have access to Dual Enrollment Academy Programs: Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA), Dual Enrollment Engineering Academy (DEEA), Dual Enrollment Criminal Justice Academy (DECJA) and Dual Enrollment Business Administration Academy (DEBAA).
“Earning reaccreditation is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, school district partners and administrators who work collaboratively to ensure students receive impactful college experiences while still in high school,” said De Leon. “As the first and only dual credit program in Texas to earn NACEP accreditation, we are proud to serve as a national model for dual credit and to continue leading efforts that expand educational access and create transformative pathways for student success across our region.”
Andrea Roma, NACEP’s director of accreditation, said accreditation reflects an institution’s commitment to excellence and accountability in serving students and communities.
“We are proud to recognize the 136 programs that chose to invest in this rigorous process and demonstrate their dedication to high standards in concurrent enrollment programs,” said Roma.
First earning accreditation in 2020, STC’s Dual Credit Programs has conducted a self-study, documented how its programs adhere to NACEP’s standards and have undergone a rigorous peer-review process conducted by a team of representatives from NACEP accredited programs, as well as the members of the NACEP Accreditation Commission.
Initial accreditation is valid for five years and reaccreditation is valid for seven years.
“There are thousands of strong programs across the country,” said Amy Williams, NACEP executive director. “But only 136 programs have chosen to open their work to a comprehensive, independent review through accreditation. These programs represent some of the strongest and most intentional partnerships in the nation, demonstrating a deep commitment to quality, transparency, and continuous improvement. As highlighted in NACEP’s recent ‘Beyond Rigor’ publication, the rapid expansion of dual enrollment has made consistent program quality and intentional systems more important than ever for ensuring students receive meaningful and reliable experiences.”
STC’s President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., said this reaccreditation is a testament to the college’s Dual Credit Programs’ dedication and commitment to ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable to all.
“Education is an equalizer, and our Dual Credit Programs empower high school students to get a head start on their college education, ultimately saving students and families time and money,” said Solis. “On behalf of STC administration and our Board of Trustees, we congratulate the dual credit team on this remarkable achievement. This is a prestigious recognition that is a testament to the quality of education we provide. We are providing transformative opportunities that are helping our students achieve their goals through academic excellence.”
STC’s Dual Credit Programs will be recognized during NACEP’s annual National Conference in Ohio in October.
To learn more about STC’s Dual Credit Programs, visit southtexascollege.edu/dual.
Information source: STC
