Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
At the South Texas College Mid-Valley Campus Center for Learning Excellence (CLE), writing tutor Santiago Castillo has spent the last three years helping students unlock their potential and gain confidence in the classroom.
Castillo’s journey with STC began before his role as a tutor. He earned his associate degree in Business Administration before transferring to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where he completed a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems. Today, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Data Analytics at UTRGV while continuing to give back to students at STC.
Balancing graduate school and his tutoring role at STC has been a challenge, but he says it is one that has helped shape him both personally and professionally.
“My role at STC has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey,” he said. “It’s given me the chance to strengthen my communication and leadership skills, but most importantly play a part in the success of my peers.”
Castillo said some of his proudest moments are when a student overcomes self-doubt and begins to believe in their own abilities.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing students’ faces light up when they finally understand the material,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to know I can play a small part in helping them reach their academic goals.”
His connection to tutoring goes back to his undergraduate years when he was struggling to understand material. Like many of the students he works with now, Castillo turned to the CLE for help with coursework and study strategies. This experience left a lasting impact.
“I used the tutoring services during my undergrad and I really enjoyed it,” he said. “When the opportunity to become a tutor opened up, I jumped on it right away. I wanted to help students the way I was once helped.”
Castillo encourages all students to take advantage of the free tutoring services offered by the CLE and emphasized the center is a space where students can build confidence, strengthen their skills and discover new ways to succeed.
“I always invite students to come to the CLE for tutoring,” he said. “It’s a welcoming environment where students can get the support they need, not just to pass the class, but to grow as learners.”
Looking ahead, Castillo plans to pursue a career in data analytics after completing his master’s degree.
“My long-term goal is to work in the analytics field,” he said. “But no matter where I go, tutoring has taught me the value of patience, communication and making connections that I will carry with me into my future career.”
For Castillo, tutoring has been a meaningful part of his journey at STC shaping not only his future but also the students he’s had the privilege of helping.
Information source: STC
