Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, TEXAS – South Texas College was the start of an incredible journey for Jacquelynn Hernandez, who said her experiences growing up in Starr County inspired her to use higher education as a launching pad for meaningful change.
Growing up in Rio Grande City, Hernandez said she understood from an early age, the challenges faced by students in the region, but also realized STC’s role as a support system and conduit for those seeking a better life.
“STC was that supportive environment that certainly set me up to pursue my goals and continue my education,” Hernandez said.
STC laid the foundation for a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and eventually a doctoral degree, according to Hernandez who said her journey began when she opted to take college classes as a dual credit student during her junior year at Rio Grande City High School
By taking her academic core classes, Hernandez said she earned college credit prior to attending the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, which then enabled her to receive a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Legal Studies and then a master’s degree in Public Affairs and Administration, also from UTRGV.
She is now in her first year of a six-year doctoral program at the University of Texas in Austin seeking her Ph.D. in Government.
“When I was at STC, I realized I was more drawn to research and exploring deeper questions about governance, representation and policy impact, and overall, my experience at STC was incredibly positive. The faculty and the administration were super helpful, and you could tell that they really invested in their students because a lot of them, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, are part of a marginalized community,” Hernandez said. “STC also helped me transition into a four-year university. Several years later, I am now pursuing a doctoral degree in Government. It has been a tumultuous experience with a lot of back and forth, but I’m glad to be here now.”
Throughout her education, Hernandez said she has made it a point to get involved in the processes that influence change back home and has interned with state legislators in Austin to help shape policy to drive resources to communities like those in Starr County.
The goal, she said, is finding a career in academia as a professor but also taking her research beyond the classroom and working in local or state politics partly inspired by STC and its influence on the community.
“I think my message is simple. These people from the Rio Grande Valley, they belong in higher education. They belong at these places where they don’t think that they belong. Their experiences bring immense value to the table,” Hernandez said. “I think beyond academics, STC has really opened my eyes to foster a community that encourages growth and ambition. STC faculty motivated us and even dared us to think critically, challenging us to go beyond the classroom.”
