Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – At just 20 years old, South Texas College student Ethan Lewis is right in the middle of managing one of life’s most challenging balancing acts. Entering college for the first time, Lewis said he has embarked on his dream of becoming a future engineer while fulfilling his role as a new parent.
Becoming a father as a junior in high school, Lewis said the experience reshaped his priorities overnight, but rather than slowing him down, it gave him the focus to chase his degree while building a future his young daughter could look up to.
“I think I learned right away that you need to have people to lean on, even when it becomes super challenging,” Lewis said. “I know in my life I appreciate all of those who came through for me and I look forward to returning the favor as I work towards success in college and in life afterwards.”
Parenting became the start of a journey that enabled him to find the maturity needed to pursue a degree in Engineering, which began when a friend invited him to a program meeting.
He was doubtful at first as he was raising his infant daughter, Ariana, while still in high school. He soon changed his mind however when he discovered that he could spend a year studying locally through STC, Texas A&M Engineering Academy, before transferring to Texas A&M University in College Station, among his top schools to attend.
As a recent graduate from Edinburg High School, Lewis said he was still able to graduate on time, but realized his life had shifted to balancing academics along with a part-time job and especially parenting.
The responsibility instilled a methodical, but calm approach to challenges and a strong sense of purpose as he began college.
He is now among the 50 new “Jaggies” comprising the third cohort of the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at STC. These days Lewis says he is often the first to organize study groups for demanding courses like Calculus and Physics while building friendships with classmates who share his goals.
“I knew I had to jump at this chance to jumpstart my engineering career and I’m thankful that I have a whole group of family members, friends and faculty to help me get there,” Lewis said. “Now I go into this new chapter ready to do what needs to be done and do it with a smile and charisma.”
Offered in partnership with Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering, the Academy offers students an opportunity to pursue one of 22 engineering majors at Texas A&M, while being co-enrolled at the university and STC.
From the academy, students transition with automatic acceptance into Texas A&M’s highly competitive engineering program either at Texas A&M College Station, Galveston or Higher Education Center in McAllen to complete their bachelor’s degree.
Lewis said his inspiration comes from his father, a mechanic who collaborates with engineers, as well as his uncle, a master electrician. He said he grew up admiring the intensity and precision of their work, which shaped his career ambitions.
Looking ahead, Lewis plans to hopefully transfer to College Station by fall 2026 with his daughter and her mother. The goal he said is to complete his degree while he builds a life for his young family. He sees the next chapter as an opportunity to grow academically and personally while always setting a positive example for his daughter.
“I’m the greatest person in the world in her eyes,” Lewis said about the relationship with his daughter. “I want to continue to be the person she thinks I am, and it starts with the plan I am putting in place for my future now. I don’t get any do-overs.”
For more information on the STC, Texas A&M Engineering Academy, please visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/partners/tamu-engineering/index.html.
Information source: STC
