Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
The South Texas College Dual Credit Programs highlighted more than two decades of savings to students and their families during its annual School Board Member Appreciation Dinner, also essential to celebrating School Board Appreciation Month.
Nearly 200 superintendents and school members from Dual Credit’s 21 partnering school districts gathered for a night that included a formal dinner catered by Santa Fe Steakhouse and a presentation that showcased savings that have been lifechanging for many of their students.
Since STC’s Dual Credit Programs’ inception in 2000, the program has saved families over $464 million in tuition, has become a nationally recognized model for other dual credit programs and is the only such program in the state of Texas to hold a national accreditation through the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).
“For the past 26 years, everyone in this room has worked together to transform our communities through education,” said Rebecca De Leon, STC associate vice president of Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships. “During the month of January, we like to celebrate our school board members, and to be able to highlight the success we’ve seen serving more than 150,000 students together. Without these partnerships, everything we do, would not be possible. This demonstrates our commitment to them and all their students.”
De Leon also highlighted and welcomed four new partners – Santa Maria ISD, Progresso ISD, San Isidro ISD and IDEA P-Tech, all of which focus on career and technical education or cybersecurity pathways.
“Forming these new partnerships is extending our dual credit reach even further,” said De Leon. “All partners have started strong; students have begun their courses and are well on their way to earning college credit or even an associate degree at the end of their program. We are here to support these students every step of the way, provide pathways that benefit their interests and passions and make their dreams come true.”
San Isidro ISD Superintendent Elsa Morris sang praises for STC’s Dual Credit Programs, a longtime follower of its initiatives and success, she said when she reflected on how to take her district to the next level, she knew her students needed this vital opportunity.
“Prior to San Isidro, I worked often with dual credit, and we needed those opportunities at San Isidro also. Our students needed it,” she said. “This partnership has been nearly a year in the making, and now we have 17 students enrolled and we’ve begun to establish a stronger college-going culture in our district thanks to Rebecca De Leon, her team and STC Dual Credit Programs. My goal is to grow this partnership, our dual credit program and get students graduated with associate degrees.”
San Isidro ISD students have begun their college journeys through Communication/Speech and Art, and the district hopes to enroll more students in the summer to help get them ahead.
To grow this program, STC, San Isidro and Region One ESC have collaborated to build rural innovation through dual credit education, partnering San Isidro with Rio Grande City Grulla ISD to continue building dual courses at STC’s Starr County Campus for these students.
“At San Isidro, 90% of our kids are economically disadvantaged and many are first-generation high school students, not college but high school,” she said. “So, this program, along with the savings they see at taking these courses at no cost to them, is a huge advantage and life changing.”
Donna ISD board members were also in attendance and were impressed with the savings they have personally witnessed. As of last year, the school district families have saved $10.2 million.
Donna ISD School Board Vice President Ida Garcia said that STC’s Dual Credit Programs has provided their students with the opportunity of a higher education – something that many of these students may have never thought was possible.
“The impact of the savings our school district families have seen is tremendous,” she said. “Our students now have the chance to get college credit or earn a certification at no charge to them. At Donna ISD, we provide everything for them, so they have a chance to succeed.”
Most recently, Garcia said they formed their first cohort of high school students who are pursuing a certification in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) at STC’s Mid-Valley campus. All the equipment that the students need, such as backpacks, laptops, steel toe boots, HVAC tools and a tool belt, were provided by Donna ISD.
“Thank you STC for giving our students the chance to make a better life for themselves and their families,” said Garcia. “STC is doing a phenomenal job at saving families millions and helping students’ dreams become reality.”
De Leon said she wants the community to know that over the last 26 years, Dual Credit Programs has grown and continues to expand into a program that can be for everyone.
“Many students are sometimes undecided about dual credit, but we want them to know we have something for everyone,” she said. “Our job is to get students college and workforce ready and we’re doing that through Dual Credit. We encourage students to give it a try and realize that anything is possible.”
For more information on STC’s Dual Credit Programs, visit southtexascollege.edu/dual.
