Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
For the ninth consecutive year, South Texas College has received a Gold Military Friendly® and Military Spouse Friendly® School designation – a testament to the services the college provides through its Office of Student Veterans Affairs.
STC’s Director of Student Financial Services Juan Galvan, who also oversees the veterans office, said this recognition, recently announced by Viqtory, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, reflects STC’s dedication and commitment to supporting veterans and their families.
“We are incredibly honored to receive the Gold status as a Military Friendly ® school. It is a testament to the outstanding efforts of our certifying officials, who work tirelessly to ensure our veterans receive the educational benefits and resources they deserve,” he said. “This designation is not just a reflection of the great work we are doing, but it is also a promise to our veterans and the community that they can trust in the quality of support STC provides as they pursue their educational goals.”
In an academic year, STC serves more than 800 veterans, dependents, spouses and active service members, who have access to a centralized Office of Student Veterans Affairs at the college’s Pecan, Mid-Valley and Starr County campuses, with certified staff ready to help students with military benefits, computer and printing services and a quiet study and lounge areas, each known as the Foxhole.
“Our goal is to help our veterans meet their educational goals and to help them rebuild their lives outside of the military. That’s always a challenge,” said Javier Guajardo, coordinator for Veteran Recruitment and Engagement. “We work hard at realizing this mission and we take pride in serving those who have served our country. It’s our way of giving back.”
Institutions, like STC, that earn a Military Friendly® School designation are evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey and from the thousands of schools that participated, only 830 earned special awards for going above and beyond the standards.
Other criteria used to determine final ratings include veteran student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, degree advancement or transfer and loan default rates.
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community,” said Military Friendly® Vice President Kayla Lopez. “This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages institutions to evolve and invest in
their programs consistently. Schools that achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.”
STC Graphic Design student and Airforce veteran Oscar Fonseca said the Office of Student Veterans Affairs was a gamechanger when he returned to STC this year.
“I first enrolled at STC in 2020, after leaving the Airforce and amidst a global pandemic, and I was hard pressed at not asking for help. That was a big mistake on my part,” he recalls. “In 2020, I was lost. I changed my major from Criminal Justice to Theatre. I didn’t know what to do. So, after a reflection of my strengths, I’m officially back and this time, I’ve let everyone help me. From the veterans office to student services, I have so much support and encouragement to continue my journey, graduate and succeed.”
He added that he highly recommends and advocates to other veterans to use the Office of Student Veterans Affairs because it’s a vital source that provides continued support and guidance.
“I would not be where I am today, without this specific support,” he said. “My process is smoother, I understand what is available to me, and because of this, this distinction is well-deserved.”
It is for students like Fonseca that Galvan said his team will continue working tirelessly to provide resources and opportunities that will allow the veteran community and their families to find educational success.
“We are proud to stand alongside those who have served, and we remain committed to helping them succeed in every step of their academic journey,” he said.
For more information on STC’s Office of Student Veterans Affairs, visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/veterans/.
