Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College Bachelor’s Programs recently celebrated its more than 4,000 graduates with a first-of-its-kind celebration recognizing their success in the community and across the nation.
The event hosted by STC’s department of Academic Affairs, welcomed numerous alumni back to the campus for an evening of recognitions, dinner and a live mariachi performance.
“This is a remarkable evening, welcoming our alumni back on campus and hearing their success stories is inspiring and a testament to the lives we are impacting here at STC,” said Anahid Petrosian, STC vice president and provost of Academic Affairs. “When our bachelor’s programs began nearly 20 years ago, we could only imagine what this program could become, but now, it’s reality. In terms of community colleges, STC is a pioneer in bachelor’s programs and now they are a national model.”
Elvira Alonzo, public works director for the city of McAllen, graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management, now Operations Management, and was invited to speak at the inaugural bachelor’s programs celebration.
“I am STC’s No. 1 advocate. Without STC, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. “I was not your traditional student, but when my supervisor at the time told me I needed a bachelor’s degree to continue moving up, I took the challenge. I was 40 years old when I got my degree, so to be back here is full circle, and I’m humbled by the invitation. I hope my story can inspire others.”
Alonzo added that she chose STC for its online courses and flexibility for a single, working mother like herself.
“I did my research and STC was the only college among two-year and four-year institutions to offer the most online courses, which was exactly what I needed,” said Alonzo. “Since then, I have grown professionally and personally. I have gone farther than I ever thought possible, thanks to STC.”
DHR Health Chief Information Security Officer Orlando Gomez shared Alonzo’s sentiments. The 2015 alumnus also served as a speaker during the celebratory event and told attendees that he needed a degree to advance his career.
“I’ve worked in I.T. (information technology) for more than 20 years and I’ve had a successful career because of the bachelor’s degree I earned at STC,” he said. “I was married, had a family and was working full time, but when I found STC’s Computer and Information Technologies program, it fast tracked my career.”
Success stories like Alonzo’s and Gomez’s are what Ali Esmaeili, Ph.D., dean of Math, Science, Information Technology and Bachelor’s Programs, said inspires his work daily.
The long-time educator, mentor and motivator, was recognized during the event for his work in implementing STC’s five bachelor’s programs and for his constant encouragement and guidance to ensure students succeed.
“It’s an honor to be recognized, but I do what I do because I believe in our mission and every student that walks through our doors,” said Esmaeili. “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come…while other colleges and universities have 75% graduation rates, we have 85%. ‘Why?’ because we are South Texas College, and we change lives every day.”
Petrosian said Esmaeili empowers students to reach new heights and he has propelled the college’s bachelor’s programs toward academic excellence.
“His unwavering determination has been instrumental in fostering the development and growth of the bachelor’s programs,” she said. “This recognition represents and highlights his work throughout his years in education and we are so proud that his home is right here at STC.”
As for the celebration, STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., said this is the first of many more celebrations to come that will celebrate alumni and their success.
“Celebrating more than 4,000 students is a momentous milestone,” said Solis. “We have come a long way because of the visionaries who work diligently and tirelessly to ensure we have the most innovative programming that get our students trained, graduated and hired. The best is yet come, and today, and every day, we celebrate you. You are STC.”
STC is the only community college in Texas to offer five bachelor’s programs – Organizational Leadership, Operations Management, Computer, Medical and Health Services Management, Computer and Information Technologies and Nursing.
For more information on STC’s Bachelor’s Programs, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics.
