Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
South Texas College (STC) and Sam Houston State University (SHSU) recently celebrated a new partnership with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that will allow STC Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement graduates to seamlessly transfer into SHSU’s College of Criminal Justice and complete their bachelor’s degree close to home.
Advanced SHSU classes, offered at the university’s main campus in Huntsville, will now be available on-site at STC, saving students both time and moving costs.
“This unique and innovative partnership is a true testament to what STC does best – bringing new opportunities directly to our students,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “STC is proud to be the bridge that brings advanced opportunities in criminal justice education directly to the RGV. With SHSU now teaching on our campus, our students can move from associate to bachelor’s and beyond without leaving home. This collaboration ensures that the talent we cultivate here will continue to serve and strengthen our communities.”
SHSU’s College of Criminal Justice has been ranked the No.1 criminal justice program in Texas by College Factual. Nationally, the program earned the No.14 spot, placing it among the top 5% of criminal justice programs in the United States.
SHSU’s Senior Director of Strategy and Innovation David Stender, Ph.D., emphasized the university’s excitement to join the Rio Grande Valley community and said the partnership goes far beyond academics, it is about investing in the region’s future.
“This is not just about classrooms. It’s about careers, families and the future,” Stender said. “By working together, we’re opening doors to higher education and helping build a stronger, more resilient community.”
He also highlighted the strength of STC’s five bachelor’s programs and the new opportunities the partnership creates for students to advance from an associate to a bachelor’s degree and ultimately to graduate studies.
“Our goal is simple – to meet students where they are,” Stender said. “STC is already doing incredible work, and we are proud to also build on those pathways. For students who want to continue their education, we offer online master’s degrees they can complete in a way that fits their lives and strengthens their community.”
He added that the partnership would not have been possible without the support of community leaders which played a key role in bringing SHSU classes to McAllen.
Elizabeth Suarez, president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation, spoke about her personal connection to the initiative.
“I know that for every little girl, her dad is always her hero. For me, watching my father put on his uniform and serve as a police officer for 35 years here in McAllen, he truly was a hero,” Suarez said. “That’s why I feel so proud to welcome SHSU to our community and showcase the incredible law enforcement leaders who come from the RGV. We are proud of the leadership and vision that make initiatives like this possible, and we are grateful for the impact they will have on our community.”
Beginning next spring, SHSU faculty will teach advanced courses on-site at STC’s Pecan Campus, allowing students to complete part of their bachelor’s degree locally and finish the remainder online.
STC’s Associate Vice President for Academic Success and Advancement Brett Millan, Ed.D., emphasized that the partnership not only expands educational options, but also reflects a shared commitment to the region.
“A year in the making, this program not only strengthens the pathways available to our students but also reflects our shared commitment to cultivating highly skilled, knowledgeable and community-focused public servants,” he said. “By bringing courses directly to STC, we are removing barriers and expanding opportunities for students to advance their careers, serve their communities and achieve their professional goals.”
For more information on STC and SHSU’s partnership or other transfer opportunities at STC, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/transfer/ or call 956-872-2659.
