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By Dayna Reyes, Reporter

MCALLEN, Texas — South Texas College (STC) is rapidly solidifying its footprint on the national higher education landscape, capturing major federal accolades, pioneering artificial intelligence curriculum, and deploying state-funded initiatives to secure the future workforce of the Rio Grande Valley.

The regional economic powerhouse recently drew national attention after being designated as an official “Opportunity College and University” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education.

STC joins a select group of 478 institutions nationwide recognized for shattering traditional barriers to higher education. To secure the title, colleges must significantly exceed national benchmarks for low-income student access while simultaneously proving high post-graduate earnings and upward economic mobility.

“At STC, we thrive on creating educational opportunities that bring a better quality of life for our students and positive economic impact for our region,” STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., told the Guardian. “Our strategy is to entrust and empower faculty and staff to work together as we continue to change, improve, and adapt in order to move our communities forward.”

Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., STC’s vice president and provost for Academic Affairs and Economic Development, noted that the national distinction underscores the college’s core mission of translating classroom knowledge into immediate economic mobility for families across Hidalgo and Starr counties.

Out-of-State Institutions Look to STC for AI Blueprint

The college’s knack for staying ahead of the economic curve has also turned it into a consulting destination for out-of-state institutions navigating the tech revolution.

Delegates from Columbia State Community College in Tennessee recently traveled to McAllen specifically to study how STC has seamlessly integrated applied artificial intelligence (AI) into its Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics Technology (AMT) programs.

The visit, spurred by an STC presentation at the American Association of Community Colleges Workforce Development Institute, forms part of a multi-year, U.S. Department of Education-funded initiative to map out future AI governance and workforce training.

“The momentum you have built around AI is remarkable,” said Aaron Beshears, Ph.D., director of artificial intelligence for Columbia State, praising the institutional buy-in from STC administration. “I was especially impressed by the commitment to staying ahead of the technology curve and ensuring students train on current, industry-relevant tools.”

STC officials view the cross-state collaboration as validation that the Valley is setting national standards for high-tech industrial training.

“Individuals from other universities are starting to notice, and they are coming to us and looking to us for answers,” said Joe Vela, STC’s interim dean of Business, Public Safety, and Technology. “They are looking at STC as a leader in that space.”

Securing the STEM Pipeline

South Texas College’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development department will offer a weeklong slate of activities in Biology, Cybersecurity and Welding camps made possible through a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) beginning in July. (Photo credit: STC)

While pulling in national accolades and exporting tech curriculum, STC is simultaneously anchoring its local pipeline.

Leveraging a strategic grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the college is launching a series of free summer STEM camps designed to introduce middle and high school students to high-demand regional career fields.

Kicking off with a “Biology Explorers” session at the Pecan Campus in McAllen, the weeklong camps will scale out across the Mid-Valley and Starr County campuses through July, offering zero-cost, hands-on tracks in Biology, Cybersecurity, and both introductory and advanced Welding.

“As long as students meet the eligibility requirements, the camps are completely free, and all materials and supplies are provided,” said Xenia Munoz, STC’s summer camps coordinator. “It is a good opportunity for students to explore the STEM field… It is a priority for us to offer this to our communities.”