Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College Trustee Rose Benavidez has made history as a Latina leader, has been recognized for her vital role in placing South Texas on a national map and most recently was awarded the Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT) Outstanding Leadership Award.
The award was first introduced and presented in 2022 at CCATT’s annual conference to recognize Texas Trustees, like Benavidez, for their exemplary leadership, dedication and contributions to the advancement of community colleges across the state.
“This truly was an unexpected honor. We work hard to afford our communities life-changing opportunities,” said Benavidez. “I am grateful to CCATT for this prestigious award. It’s a privilege to receive this recognition.”
Benavidez’s work is deeply rooted in her home of South Texas, serving as an STC Trustee for 15 years, but nonetheless, her mission is to provide a quality and accessible education for all Texans and beyond.
“Rose is an incredible leader. She is a visionary and sets high standards for what we can achieve,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “On behalf of STC leadership and our Board of Trustees, we congratulate her on this remarkable and prestigious recognition. Her tireless advocacy and unwavering commitment to the advancement of STC and community colleges nationwide does not go unnoticed. This is well deserved, and we are so proud of having her on our team.”
In a recent press release, CCATT described Benavidez as being a “Visionary leader with exceptional commitment to fostering educational excellence, advocating for student success and promoting the strategic growth and development of community colleges, locally and nationally.”
In 2022, she made history as the first Latina to serve as chair of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors in the organization’s more than 50-year history. ACCT is a national nonprofit educational organization representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1,200 community colleges in the United States.
During her tenure with ACCT, Benavidez was a key voice in advocating for increased federal funding for higher education, aligning skills training with meaningful employment opportunities and promoting student success across the United States, Canada, Europe and the Pacific Islands.
Yet, she has remained profoundly committed to improving the economic standing and quality of life for her region, finding innovative ways to address challenges and leading by example through her volunteerism and service to countless local, regional, state and national nonprofit and civic organizations.
Longtime educator and STC Board of Trustee Chair Dr. Alejo Salinas, has high praise for his board colleague.
“I’ve been honored to serve with this amazing servant leader. I’ve watched her grow and excel in this role once held by her father, a founding STC board member Manuel Benavidez,” said Salinas. “She is a champion for higher education, especially for underserved student populations, and most deserving of this recognition.”
