Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
At the third annual South Texas College Summit for Dual Credit Programs, in collaboration with the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), more than 300 participants representing nearly 34 states gathered for a three-day event of learning, collaborating and networking.
Dual credit provides the opportunity for high school students to earn college credits, and even an associate degree, while in high school. Dual Credit programs have saved families millions of dollars in tuition costs.
STC’s Dual Credit programs is a tuition-free program for high school students and their families and is the only one in the nation to be accredited by NACEP. STC’s dual credit model is used nationally among K-12 and other institutions of higher education to establish dual credit programs and student success.
Associate Vice President of Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships Rebecca De Leon, Ph.D., calls this year’s summit the largest they’ve hosted, specifically linked to an increase of participants.
“The key piece to this summit – best practices,” said De Leon. “We had individuals here not only from higher education institutions, but also K-12, showing that our conference is growing and gaining widespread interest. It also allows us to learn from each other, from best practices to mistakes, we support each other’s endeavor to enhance and improve education across the country. We’re in this together.”
On the cusp of its 25th anniversary, STC’s Dual Credit Programs, in addition to numerous other programs from across the country, hosted breakout sessions ranging from building a successful program and momentum with faculty to policies and practices and applying artificial intelligence to enhance course content.
NACEP Director of Communication and Member Services Miranda Rodriguez said partnership is key, which is why this year’s event was such a success.
“The foundation of dual credit is partnership,” said Miranda. “And this summit enables collaboration and for us to learn from each other, so that people don’t feel alone in the process. Really, we all have similar goals – making college accessible to more students, and this partnership with STC is allowing us to make that a reality.”
Included in the lineup of presenters were keynote speakers American Ninja Warrior competitor and host and motivational speaker Alex Weber and former NCAA official and award-winning speaker and author Randy Fox.
Fox, who resides in Florida, told his audience of educators that he was honored to be in their presence, because it was professionals like them that allowed his son to earn college credit while in high school as a dual credit student.
“It’s exciting to see that so many people are willing to invest in the future of our children,” said Fox. “The cost of higher education continues to increase and as parents, we look for cost-effective solutions, and dual credit helped our family afford a college education. My son benefited greatly and soon my daughter will too.”
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., in his opening remarks told conference attendees, that they’re transforming lives through dual credit and creating a college-going culture that is breaking barriers for families across the nation.
“STC’s dual credit summit is such a significant event because we are sharing with professionals across the nation how to make a dual credit program successful,” said Solis. “At STC, we are at the cutting-edge of innovative programming and this event and accreditation with NACEP is testament that we have the proper program in place. As we continue to work together, we are increasing the demand for dual credit programs across the country because we are getting college students ready while still in high school; what an empowering message.”
Numerous STC leaders and faculty members such as trustees Victoria Cantu, Rene Guajardo, Vice President of Academic Affairs Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Business Administration Rosemond Moore, Ph.D. and Economics Instructor Kevin Peek, Ph.D. also took part in the event.
De Leon said this year’s event was a success and provides so many the opportunity to grow.
“This summit really is the opportunity for all of us to enhance our programs and to improve our overall processes,” she said. “This is all for students; because at the end of the day when we take a look at dual credit and the impact it is having, we really are helping students, like myself…I am a product of dual credit, get a jumpstart on their education and believe that college is possible.”
STC’s Dual Credit program has helped more than 130,000 students in Hidalgo and Starr Counties and has saved families more than $350 million in tuition.
