Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College has been recognized as one of the nation’s Opportunity Colleges and Universities, a designation given to institutions that are going above and beyond to provide access to higher education and foster strong student outcomes.
Recently given this recognition by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education, STC joins 478 colleges and universities nationwide that exceed national benchmarks for both student access and post-graduate earnings.
For students considering their next educational step, the designation signals that STC not only opens doors to higher education, but also helps students achieve long-term economic success.
“At STC, we thrive on creating educational opportunities that bring a better quality of life for our students and positive economic impact for our region,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “Our strategy at STC is to entrust and empower faculty and staff with the responsibility to work together as we continue to change, improve and adapt in order to move our communities forward.”
Additional leadership at the college say the recognition affirms STC’s commitment to student success through academic support, innovative programming and efforts designed to remove barriers to completion.
The goal is to help students persist, graduate and realize the transformative benefits of higher education throughout Hidalgo and Starr counties.
“It is a great honor for South Texas College and our community to receive this national recognition from the Carnegie Foundation,” said Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., STC vice president and provost for Academic Affairs and Economic Development. “This distinction is a testament to our mission and our unwavering commitment to providing access to high-quality education with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in rewarding careers that lead to economic mobility and lasting success for themselves, their families and our community.”
Brett Millan, Ed.D., associate vice president of Academic Success and Advancement, said the designation reflects a growing national emphasis on student success beyond enrollment.
“The Opportunity College and University distinction is really important because an institution must not only provide good access to higher education, but also demonstrate strong student outcomes,” Millan said. “This designation identifies colleges that not only open doors to higher education, but also help students complete their degrees and enter careers that improve their economic opportunities.”
For more information on the designation by the Carnegie Foundation, visit bit.ly/4g3PRAb.
Information source: STC
