Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — Workforce Solutions Lower Rio, in partnership with Texas A&M University College of Nursing and the Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation (RSTEF), commemorated the presentation of a $150,000 Texas Industry Partnership (TIP) Grant aimed at expanding nursing education and strengthening the healthcare workforce across the Rio Grande Valley.
The grant presentation ceremony was held at the Nursing Education and Research Building at the Texas A&M Higher Education Center in McAllen, where community leaders, educators, workforce partners, and healthcare advocates gathered to celebrate the regional collaboration.
The initiative is designed to address the growing demand for qualified nurses in the Rio Grande Valley by increasing local training capacity and enhancing educational opportunities for future healthcare professionals.
Through the program:
Four faculty members will become Certified Nurse Educators (CNE)
Faculty will receive “train-the-trainer” certifications in specialized credentials such as CPR and Stop the Bleed
Students will participate in innovative healthcare simulations, including “Friday Night at the ER”
Forty-eight students will receive support toward earning Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees
“This investment represents the power of partnerships and our shared commitment to building a stronger healthcare workforce for the Rio Grande Valley,” said Francisco Almaraz, CEO of Workforce Solutions Lower Rio. “By working together with Texas A&M College of Nursing and RSTEF, we are creating opportunities for students, strengthening clinical education capacity, and helping ensure our communities have access to highly skilled healthcare professionals for years to come.”
“What incredible partners the College of Nursing has in the Rio Grande Valley and its people, communities and organizations,” said LeRoy A. Marklund, assistant dean for undergraduate nursing education for the Texas A&M College of Nursing’s site in McAllen. “We are grateful that this grant will allow us to enhance the student experience and deepen faculty expertise as we all work together to improve healthcare in the region.”
The Texas Industry Partnership Grant supports collaborative workforce solutions that align education and training opportunities with regional industry needs. The nursing initiative is expected to create long-term economic and healthcare benefits throughout the region by preparing highly qualified registered nurses to serve local communities.
Workforce Solutions serves Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties. The primary goal of the WFS Board is to respond to the needs of local employers and workers through locally designed, demand-driven workforce development initiatives.
