Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College is celebrating its first graduating cohort of Valley Promise scholars this spring, and most recently, hosted a stole ceremony to honor this historic achievement.
The Valley Promise Program, powered by STC, was introduced one year ago as a last-dollar initiative to cover a student’s remaining tuition after all financial aid and scholarships are applied, which ultimately leads to a free education.
For Kenya Alvarez, one of 45 Valley Promise scholars graduating next month and honored with a stole to wear proudly as she graduates, the Valley Promise Program meant that she could continue her education and pursue her goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
“We’re not a wealthy family. We live paycheck-to-paycheck and paying for a higher education is out of our means,” said the 19-year-old Mission native. “But the Valley Promise Program changed that. This meant that we didn’t have to stress financially over how we were going to pay for college, and that has made all the difference.”
In May, Alvarez will earn her associate degree in Business Administration and she credits that to Valley Promise.
“I really am thankful for everything STC has done for me and other students,” she added. “We’ve been given a chance to make our dreams a reality.”
In a ceremony that is expected to become a new tradition for the Valley Promise Program, STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., congratulated Alvarez and her peers for their achievements.
“This is a significant event and is a testament to your present and future achievements,” he said. “Our students are our No. 1 priority and we’re grateful that we can provide this unique opportunity to support our students and their dreams. The Valley Promise Program will continue to grow, and our goal, within the next five years, is that every student will have access to a free higher education here at South Texas College.”
That message resonated with Electrician Technology student Hector Garcia Jr., 19, who is also graduating this May and is proud to be a Valley Promise scholar.
I first heard about the Valley Promise Program on a campus tour, and I immediately knew it was a program of hope for students like me,” said Garcia. “I’m excited to be distinguished with a stole. I’m excited I get to wear it, and I hope other students see it and get excited about the program too. I am Valley Promise.”
STC Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Matt Hebbard, Ed.D., said it was only last year that the Valley Promise Program was a vision among the STC administration and Board of Trustees to help students transition from high school to college and to break down financial barriers.
To date, the Valley Promise Program has served nearly 600 students.
“To be celebrating our first graduating cohort is monumental,” said Hebbard. “Our students have done the hard work to get where they are, we’ve simply given them the resources they need. Promise programs are growing nationwide, there are more than 400 programs that promote free college and we’re doing that right here at STC. Now we’re transforming lives and communities because we believe in our students and their families. We’re going to the next level.”
For more information on the Valley Promise Program or to submit your pledge as a Valley Promise scholar before the June 1 deadline, visit valleypromise.org.
