STC awards 41 scholarships to students from across Hidalgo and Starr counties

They are the best and brightest students in Hidalgo and Starr counties and now they are part of South Texas College’s 11^th class of Valley Scholars students. Forty-one students earned full tuition scholarships from the program to earn associate’s degrees from STC. In order to qualify for the scholarship, students had to rank in the top 10 percent of their high school classes and show an interest in scholastic achievement, leadership and community service.

“I was so honored to be selected for a scholarship from this prestigious program,” said Anissa Falcon. “I worked very hard throughout high school and am pleased to know that this scholarship is the fruit of my labor. STC provides students like me a wonderful opportunity to ease into the college environment and provides a variety of great support systems to ensure my success. I couldn’t be more pleased to be a Valley Scholar.”

Once admitted into STC’s Valley Scholars program, students must maintain a 3.25 grade point average at STC and full-time enrollment status during the fall and spring semesters. Each student is also required to be actively engaged in a variety of community service projects throughout the academic year.

In addition to providing scholarship funds to cover tuition costs, STC provides Valley Scholars with a variety of free services including tutoring, mentoring, book exchanges, campus job placement, scholarship searches, college tours and access to early admissions programs to medical schools and universities.

Students receiving scholarships this semester include Laidee Francia from Edcouch-Elsa High School; Juan J. Pecina from Edinburg Economedes High School; Paula Hinojosa from Edinburg North High School; Stephanie King from Hidalgo High School; Sonia Armendariz, Hugo Chong, Adriana Garza, Dulce Gutierrez, Gilbert Hernandez, Priscilla Leal, Jessica Marin, Jorge Murillo, Joshua B. Orozco, Azucena Reyes, Adrian Rivera and Cesar A. Vigil from La Joya High School; Anne Madrazo from McAllen High School; Benjamin Frye, Elvira Obregon, Juan Rodriguez and Carol Zamarron Mission Veterans Memorial High School; Amy Espiricueta from PSJA High School; Rosalinda Castillo, Ester Guerrero, Carolina Orta and Cecily Saldana from PSJA Memorial High School; Anissa Falcon, Jesus Garcia, Jonhatan Hernandez and Iliana Vasquez from Rio Grande City High School; Jose U. Cantu, Julie Gonzalez and Horacio Guerra Jr. from Roma High School; Hanna Lopez and Keyla A. Palacios from Sharyland High School; Iris V. Trevino from South Palm Gardens High School; Edna Cortez and Angelica A. Martinez from Valley View High School; Fabiola Garcia from Weslaco High School; and Adalaila Castillo and Elias Lopez from Weslaco East High School.

The 11^th class of Valley Scholars is very diverse with plans to study a wide variety of fields at STC including biology, business administration, computer science, criminal justice, culinary arts, education, engineering, interdisciplinary studies, nursing, physical therapy assistance, radiology and Spanish.

“We are thrilled to have these students join our group of Valley Scholars,” said program coordinator Marie Olivarez. “They will be the college’s 11th class of scholars to enter this program. They are each very bright and gifted students who deserve this honor and recognition. We expect great things from each of them and know that they will make STC proud.”

For more information about STC’s Valley Scholars Program or to become a program sponsor contact Marie Olivarez at 956-872-6440.

Conference connects education to economy

"Educators, business leaders and elected officials gathered Wednesday to discuss the education of Hidalgo County’s work force.

Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas organized the Building Future Talent Workforce Summit 2007, the second of two development events this summer.

At the first event, on July 5, community members created a list of problems the Rio Grande Valley faces: illiteracy, high dropout rates and lack of English and professional skills.

On Wednesday, speakers at the McAllen Convention Center posed solutions, including government-funded training and internships for high school students."

This is the beginning of an article that was written on The Monitor.

This summit is certainly a great idea and unity is actually key to solving most of the issues Hidalgo County faces.

This is a quote by Daniel King, superintendent of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo school district, “It’s time to stop waiting for someone else to take the lead,” he said. “We need to come together and solve this problem. A radical transformation of Hidalgo County is possible.”

I totally agree...but what is next, we do not want to go to just another summit where everyone says what needs to be done... we need to get our hands dirty and begin to try to solve some of the issues.

STC celebrates NIMS accreditation

South Texas College celebrated its recent accreditation by the National Institute of Metalworking Skills for its Precision Manufacturing Technology Program at the Building Future Talent Workforce Summit. STC is the first college in the entire State of Texas to earn the accreditation, which means that STC has met and exceeded national metalworking industry standards for quality of instruction, incorporation of important, high-level industry skills, and overall safety.

“This process has been exemplary on the part of everyone involved,” said Stephen C. Mandes, executive director of NIMS. “On behalf of the entire NIMS family across the nation I extend our congratulations and gratitude.”

Mandes was on hand at the celebration to present college administrators with the official NIMS accreditation plaque. The college has earned the accreditation for the standard five year period and will engage in a reaccredidation process in 2012.

“It is a real honor and tribute to the quality of our program, instructors, students and administrators that we earned this accreditation,” said Mario Reyna, division dean of business, math, science and technology for STC. “It is also an important milestone for colleges across the State of Texas. As the first college in the entire state to earn this recognition, we are leading by example.

We also want to take this opportunity to thank each of our industry partners for working with us to ensure the successful completion of this accreditation. It would not have been possible without your support and motivation.”

A variety of business leaders and officials were on hand to help STC celebrate the accomplishment including, City of McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez, Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas, South Texas Manufacturing Association Executive Director Mike Willis, McAllen Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Keith Patridge, and Gerald Stinson of Kings Prosperity.

For more information about STC’s Precision Manufacturing Technology Program call 956-872-6133.

Photo Caption:

STC administrators and Rio Grande Valley business leaders and officials celebrate the college’s recent NIMS accreditation at the Building Future Talent Workforce Summit. Pictured from left are Juan Mejia, STC vice president for instructional services; Mike Willis; Ed Hausbeck, chair of STC’s Precision Manufacturing Program; STC president Dr. Shirley A. Reed; Stephen C. Mandes; Wanda Garza, STC executive director for workforce development and external affairs; Keith Patridge; Gerald Stinson; and Mario Reyna.

STC to offer new 4yr degree... pending approval

South Texas College continues to pioneer the area of technical degrees. In recent months STC put together a curriculum for a new specialized program called Bachelors of Applied Technology in Computer Information Technology. Students that received their AAS could easily transfer into this program to continue their technical training. The program looked great and had tremendous support. Even before it went to the coordinating board for approval it had over 150 students ready to enroll. The degree plan consisted primarily of advanced computer classes that covered topics such as: advanced networking, network security, advanced web design, database management and digital imaging. There is no other degree plan in the area that offers these types of advanced classes. Unfortunately for the 150+ students that were ready to enroll, the coordinating board rejected the degree. The board didn't think this area needed this type of degree. Though it is currently being contested, the BAT - CIT has an uncertain future. So what do you think, do the companies here need a highly skilled and technical workforce? Would this degree be a major benefit to the students and the local industry? Is STC the right institution to offer this highly specialized and technical degree? I'm interested to see what the community thinks.