Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
Compassionate, dedicated and understanding—these are the qualities most students use to describe South Texas College’s Faculty of the Year 2024 Celina Casas, DOT, Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) instructor.
With a career spanning over two decades, Casas has made significant contributions to the field of occupational therapy, profoundly impacting the education and development of hundreds of students and actively engaging in the community through volunteering.
“I never imagined my teaching journey would lead me here, but I’m incredibly grateful that it did. I pour my heart into this work because I genuinely care for our students,” she said. “My greatest joy comes from helping and supporting them in every way I can. Watching them succeed and knowing I played a small part in their journey is the most rewarding feeling and the best award I could ever receive.”
Annually, the Faculty of the Year award recognizes the extraordinary contributions and quality service of faculty members supporting the mission of STC.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because the recipients are nominated and chosen by their peers,” said STC Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D. “Casas truly embodies the distinguished, compassionate, and caring spirit of our instructors at STC.”
The award particularly honors faculty who are committed to excellence in five key areas: Teaching and Learning, Student Success, Professional Development, Leadership and College Service, Community Service and Creating a College-Going Culture.
“I am honored to even be nominated,” said Casas. “Receiving this award feels surreal. I am deeply humbled and honored, and I can hardly believe it. I’m so grateful to be part of such a wonderful community.”
An alumna from STC’s second-ever cohort of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2000, Casas has a reputation for consistently going above and beyond for her students throughout her 13 years of teaching.
Through her many roles in the community which include serving as a board member with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Rio Grande Valley, the RGV Down Syndrome Foundation and as a faculty advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa Beta Epsilon Mu Chapter at STC, she finds joy in inspiring her students to give back.
“As health care professionals, we have the profound responsibility of transforming lives. We must always remember that we hold someone’s well-being in our hands and are here to offer support and care,” she explained. “This is one of the many reasons I love volunteering. It’s crucial for students to give back to the community and advocate for inclusion, as they will be serving diverse communities as OTAs.”
At just 10 years old, Casas discovered her passion for Occupational Therapy when her father suffered a severe motorcycle accident, and she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of therapy.
“I’ve always felt a deep need to help others, and that’s when I found my calling. I’m grateful that I discovered it early,” she said. “I always tell my students to embrace this field fully because you’ll never know just how many lives you can touch and how profoundly you can make a difference.”
Upon graduating from STC, Casas went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Applied Technology from the University of Texas-Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas-Pan American.
Throughout her career as an occupational therapist, she focused primarily on pediatrics, witnessing the remarkable progress of many of her patients over the years.
“Our main goal is to promote independence at all ages, helping those who suffer from injury, illness or mental conditions to become as self-sufficient as possible. Sometimes this involves finding modified ways to achieve their goals, but seeing their progress and accomplishments is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “I’ve kept in touch with many of my patients and it’s amazing to see some of the children I once worked with as grown adults today.”
After seven years in the field, Casas started teaching in 2011 at STC and in 2016, inspired by her peers, decided to pursue a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Rocky Mountain University.
Today, as a devoted wife and mother of three, she is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of her family and peers throughout her career as both a therapist and an instructor.
“My husband has been my greatest supporter through everything—going back to school multiple times, changing careers, and growing our family in between degrees,” she said. “I’m also grateful for the understanding and encouragement from my professors over the years. I believe that’s where my dedication to my students comes from. I can empathize with what they’re going through because I was once in their shoes. While I’m honored to receive this award, I’m most excited to continue supporting my students for many more years.”
