Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
From a decade-long career as an IDEA Public Schools counselor, RGV Lead Executive Director, to now South Texas College’s Executive Director of Foundation and External Affairs, Marcos Silva, Ed.D., has made it his mission to serve his community through education.
STC recently welcomed Silva to the college, tasked with the duty of raising funds that will provide life-changing scholarships to students.
“STC is a staple in the RGV community and to join this fierce institution full of great minds and experts is an honor,” he said. “I’m excited to be a part of moving STC forward, engaging with the communities we serve, actively leading conversations about STC’s innovative approaches and successes and serving our students through fundraising and scholarships that will lead to educational success.”
Silva recalls that years ago, STC granted him the opportunity to grow as a student during his undergraduate years. He has since gone on to earn a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree, a feat he said was challenging as a first-generation student.
“My parents know the value of a higher education and the upward mobility it provides,” said Silva. “But there are still challenges that, even with support, first-generation students face, and because I can relate to them, my passion is to find the opportunities that will best serve them.”
Now that his education and career have come full circle, Silva said he has a newfound sense of responsibility to STC and its students.
“This is my time, my chance to give back,” he said. “STC has been great to me, and it’s allowed me to grow in more ways than one. This is my chance to continue working in its legacy by engaging with familiar and new communities that will keep STC on the national map.”
Silva’s goal as the STC Foundation’s executive director is to keep education affordable and accessible to all. He plans to continue engaging and creating new philanthropic and corporate partnerships at the local, state and national level to raise funds for the students of STC and the Rio Grande Valley.
“STC is recognized nationally, and we want everyone to be a part of this and helps us move our students and institution forward,” said Silva. “I want our students to know that they are not alone. We are here for them, and this community-based approach will allow us to showcase STC’s work and our students’ achievements, which will bring more resources to our campuses. We’re here to support students and their families for many generations to come.”
Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs Rodney Rodriguez, Ph.D., said Silva possesses all the qualities needed to oversee the critical work of the STC Foundation, guide fundraising strategies and deepen engagement with philanthropic and corporate partners to strengthen support for STC priorities and its students.
“Dr. Silva brings to STC a proven record of service in education, advancement and community leadership,” said Rodriguez. “In his most recent role with RGV Lead, he championed efforts to align regional educational pathways with workforce and economic development, making us confident that his expertise, dedication and passion for student advancement will play a pivotal role in propelling the mission of STC and its foundation to new heights.”
Silva also serves as a part-time lecturer at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and has served as a leader and organizer for TEDx McAllen, TEDx McAllen Youth and the South Texas Ideas Festival.
“I’m here to support STC and our students’ journeys,” he said. “This career move aligns perfectly with my values, and I won’t stop looking for opportunities that can positively impact the Foundation, our students and our college. STC is already doing phenomenal work and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
To learn more about STC’s Foundation or how to become a donor, visit southtexascollege.edu/foundation.
Information source: STC
