Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
The South Texas College Board of Trustees are preparing for the 2026-2027 academic year with new leadership and continued efforts that align with the mission and vision of the college and keep expanding educational opportunities for the residents of the Rio Grande Valley.
Longtime trustee and recently reappointed Board Chair Paul R. Rodriguez said throughout his 17-year tenure, the trustees have played a role in monumental initiatives that have placed STC on the map.
Rodriguez has formerly served as chair, vice chair and secretary of the board.
“As trustees, it’s about adopting the right endeavors that prove beneficial for all those we serve,” said Rodriguez, who represents South McAllen, Southwest Pharr, Hidalgo, Sharyland, Southeast Mission and Granejo. “It’s about showing up, being involved. Everything we do has our students in mind. Our decisions are made so that they (students) benefit from the best education. They deserve this.”
As a member of the Education and Workforce Development Committee and the Finance, Audit and Human Resources Committee, Rodriguez said the trustees have signed off on numerous new programs and initiatives that have received national attention.
In recent years, STC introduced the nation’s first Registered Nursing Apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, have approved new certificate and associate degree programs such as Artificial Intelligence and Dental Hygiene and have expanded partnerships within the private sector, K-12 and higher education regionally, statewide and nationally.
Most recently, in response to a demand for avionics technicians in the region, STC introduced an Avionics Technician program for adults and high school juniors and seniors.
“We may sign off on these ideas, but the real credit goes to STC administration, faculty and staff. These are the people that make everything happen,” said Rodriguez. “Then, we have our partners that help us leverage success. All the success STC has seen, really is a large collaboration of many people.”
For the first time since being elected to the board in 2022, trustee Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar will hold the position of vice chair, working closely with Rodriguez in quickly responding to the needs of the region.
Gonzalez-Alcantar represents North McAllen, Northwest Pharr, Palmhurst, Southwest Edinburg, East Alton and Northeast Mission. She also serves as chair of the Finance, Audit and Human Resources Committee.
“It is an honor being selected by my peers for, what I know, is a huge responsibility. I’m honored to know they trust me, and I’m going to continue doing what’s right for those we serve,” she said. “We are a regional voice, and together we’ll ensure that STC remains an economic driver by addressing workforce needs and helping families transition from poverty to prosperity.”
Alongside her peers, the most notable achievements for Gonzalez-Alcantar since joining the Board, has been increasing STC’s minimum wage to $15.75, voting to begin the college’s in-demand Cosmetology program, among other workforce programs and championing student food pantries, clothing closets and self-care dens across all campuses.
“Our No. 1 goal as trustees is to always be great stewards of taxpayer money,” she said. “Through these initiatives we’re impacting our local economy, building up families through education and providing various grants and scholarships that help our students reach their goals. It’s all about stretching the college’s money to serve more.”
This year, Rodriguez and Gonzalez-Alcantar also welcomed trustee Victoria Cantú on the executive board as secretary and newly-elected trustee, representing Northeast Hidalgo County, North Weslaco, Edcouch-Elsa, La Villa, Mercedes, Monte Alto, Northeast Alamo, Northeast Edinburg and Hargill, Rina Castillo.
“STC is in continual change,” said Rodriguez. “From new leadership and trustees to new programs, partnerships and initiatives, STC continues to grow and now more than ever our best-kept secret is not so secret anymore thanks to our public relations and marketing team who are showcasing our brand and exposing STC to even more opportunities. STC is no longer where it was a few years ago.”
As the trustees move toward a new fiscal year, Rodriguez said through many changes, there is still one thing that remains steadfast – STC’s service to students and creating a college-going and workforce-ready culture.
“As STC grows, unemployment drops. Across our service area, there is a direct correlation between the two,” he said. “We are the least expensive tax district, good stewards of money, financially disciplined, our students are skilled and creating successful careers and STC continues to change lives.”
Information source: STC
