In order to qualify for this opportunity, permanent residents of the City of Mission must also meet certain criteria.  Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, a copy of Permanent Residency Card must be provided, must have earned 12 college credit hours prior to applying for the MEDA scholarship, must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and must maintain a 2.5 GPA at the end of each semester.   The MEDA scholarship is available for full or part-time students. Full time is considered 12 credit hours and part-time is 6 credit hours.  In addition, applicants are not allowed to drop, withdrawal or fail courses.  The MEDA scholarship is available for undergraduate students.

 The application process includes completion of a 2013-14 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the MEDA Scholarship application.  Applying for the 2013-14 FAFSA early may increase the applicant’s chances of receiving this scholarship.

 In order to better serve current and future students, STC Advising, Admissions and Financial Aid Centers will be open throughout the summer at the Pecan, Mid-Valley and Starr County Campuses for extended hours on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Applicants are invited to use this resource for any questions regarding the FAFSA application.

 “We would like to thank MEDA for providing this opportunity to permanent residents of the City of Mission to continue their education at South Texas College,” said STC Associate Dean of Student Financial Services Miguel Carranza.  “We hope the community takes advantage of our extended 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday hours to help complete their FAFSA , and where they can come in and visit with an advisor or with the Office of Admissions and Registrar to start the registration process.  

The MEDA scholarship application is available online at http://studentservices.southtexascollege.edu/finaid/meda.html.  The completed application must be submitted to the STC Office of Student Financial Services along with all required documentations by June 28, 2013.  All scholarship applications will be reviewed by a scholarship committee and all committee decisions will be final. For more information, please call the STC Office of Student Financial Services at 956-872-8375.

About Javier:

Running three miles a day and training as a professional mixed martial arts fighter does not stop Javier from excelling academically. Javier is currently earning an associate’s degree in secondary education from South Texas College where he is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“I was working hard but I knew I had to continue my education,” Javier said. “The flexible schedule STC offers with mini-mesters and online courses was really the deciding factor in me choosing a college.”

Javier was born in Iowa and graduated from West Liberty High School in 2009. In 2011, he decided to move to the Rio Grande Valley where he had family to get a fresh start.

In Iowa, Javier began as an amateur mixed martial arts fighter. After moving to the Rio Grande Valley, he took his training regimen to the next level and joined the South Texas Fighting Championship (STFC). Javier had his first professional match in December of 2012.

“In a sport like this, you have to be very passionate,” he said. “If you don’t go in with a full heart, you won’t perform well and can get seriously hurt.”

Javier’s biggest dream is to complete a bachelor’s degree in education at UTPA and become a UFC or Bellator MMA fighter. His goals also include eventually becoming an educator and a coach.

“My family inspires me,” Javier expressed. “They’ve always been hard workers. Although life is tough at times, they are always successful in achieving their goals. That motivates me.”

In his spare time, Javier enjoys watching and playing sports including football and basketball. He is also involved with the STC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club and the STC Boxing Club.

Top three accomplishments:
“Winning the Iowa state debate championship with my high school agriculture issues team. Our team put a lot of time and effort into researching topics and practicing our presentation. It felt good to be rewarded for our hard work.”

“Being an Iowa wrestling state runner up. It’s a big tournament and an honor just to make it. Being in the finals match was a goal I set entering high school. It felt good to accomplish it.”

“Becoming a professional mixed martial arts fighter. It’s important to me because of all the hard work I put into the gym. It’s rewarding to see the results.”

What sets you apart from other students?
“My time management skills. Balancing a full-time academic schedule with part-time work and mixed martial arts training is not an easy task. I’m dedicated to getting my education but still focused on putting in hours at the gym.”

Pecan Campus

Monday – Thursday: 8 am – 7 pm

Friday: 8 am – 5 pm

Saturday (Advising, Admissions & Financial Aid Center): 9 am – 12 pm

Technology Campus

Monday – Friday: 8 am – 5 pm

Mid-Valley Campus

Monday – Wednesday: 8 am – 6 pm

Thursday & Friday: 8 am – 5 pm

Saturday (Advising, Admissions & Financial Aid Center): 9 am – 12 pm

Starr County Campus

Monday – Wednesday: 8 am – 6 pm

Thursday & Friday: 8 am – 5 pm

Saturday (Advising, Admissions & Financial Aid Center): 9 am – 12 pm

Nursing & Allied Health Campus

Monday – Friday: 8 am – 5 pm

The college will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observation of Memorial Day and again on Thursday, July 4 in observation of Independence Day.

Summer registration is open now until June 3. Summer classes begin on Monday, June 3. Summer Sessions I & III courses are in session from June 3 to July 3. Summer II courses are in session from July 8 to August 7.

Fall 2013 registration is also open now until August 26. To learn more visit discover.southtexascollege.edu, call 1-800-742-7822 or visit your local STC campus.

STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed congratulates a STC graduate at a past ceremony.

Congratulations are in order for approximately 4431 South Texas College students who have earned their certificate, associate or baccalaureate degrees at STC this Spring 2013. Approximately 2500 of these graduates will take part in five graduation ceremonies starting Friday, May 17, through Saturday, May 18, at the State Farm Arena. In addition, STC is proud to graduate 961 dual enrollment high school students with certificate and associate degrees, creating a pathway to employment and higher education.

STC’s graduation ceremonies bring students from its five campuses located throughout Hidalgo and Starr counties together to celebrate their achievements as a unified body. The Mid-Valley Campus in Weslaco, the Starr County Campus in Rio Grande City, and the Pecan, Dr. Ramiro R. Casso Nursing and Allied Health, and Technology campuses in McAllen, continue to produce graduates who overwhelmingly choose to stay, work and contribute to the economic growth of the South Texas region. 

“Can you imagine the economic impact of 4,400 college graduates gainfully employed in our community in high-wage, high-skill jobs,” notes STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed. “This is why STC is a catalyst for economic development and regional prosperity.”

Graduation ceremonies commence on Friday, May 17, at 4 p.m. for Liberal Arts graduates earning associate degrees in American Sign Language & interpreter studies, communication, drama, English, fine arts, history, interdisciplinary studies, languages & cultural studies and philosophy.

Following the Liberal Arts graduation ceremony will be the Social Sciences ceremony starting at 7 p.m. Participating students have earned degrees and certificates in anthropology, child development, criminal justice, education, kinesiology, political science, psychology, social work and sociology at STC. The Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Division has approximately 1479 graduates.

STC graduates at a past ceremony at the State Farm Arena.

On Saturday, May 18, STC’s Nursing and Allied Health Division graduation ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Degrees and certificates include those in nursing, emergency medical technology, health and medical administrative services, medical assistant technology, occupational therapy assistant, patient care assistant, pharmacy technology, physical therapy assistant, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy and vocational Nursing. The Nursing and Allied Health Division has approximately 514 graduates.

STC’s Business and Technology Division’s graduation ceremony follows at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. Degrees and certificates include those in administrative office careers, automotive technology, business administration, business computer systems, computer aided drafting and design, culinary arts, diesel technology, electrician assistant, electronic and computer maintenance technology, fire science, heating ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technology, human resources, law enforcement, manufacturing technology and welding. The Business and Technology Division has approximately 1653 graduates.

The final graduation ceremony begins on Saturday, May 18, at 6 p.m. for STC’s Math and Science Division, Baccalaureate Programs and the Business and Technology Division. Degrees and certificates include those in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, pre-pharmacy, business computer systems and electronic and computer maintenance technology. The Math and Science Division has approximately 644 graduates.  Approximately 141 students earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Technology.

For more information on South Texas College including enrollment for Summer 2013 and even Fall 2013 semesters, visit www.southtexascollege.edu or call 956.872.8311. Summer classes begin June 3 and July 8. The complete graduation schedule can be viewed at http://studentservices.southtexascollege.edu/graduation/.

South Texas College Occupational Therapy Assistant student Jessica Medina and Vocational Nursing student Venise West each received a $2,000 STC Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship that was established by the South Texas Health System. From left, South Texas College Nursing and Allied Health Student Success Specialist Claudia Camacho, STC Associate Degree Nursing Program Chair Jayson Valerio, LVN student Venise West, STC NAH Dean Melba Treviño.

When a student decides to pursue a career in the healthcare field, they not only commit to a rigorous program but also to make a lot of sacrifices, especially when it comes to working, family and making ends meet, all to achieve the ultimate goal of completing their selected program and earning a degree that will improve their quality of life. Two South Texas College students who are in the middle of that process, Occupational Therapy Assistant student Jessica Medina and Vocational Nursing student Venise West, were recently rewarded for their hard work and sacrifice with scholarships from the South Texas Health System.

Medina and West each received a $2,000 STC Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship that was established by the South Texas Health System, and that they will be able to use toward the fall 2013 and spring 2014 semesters. The scholarship was open to all STC students majoring in any healthcare field of study at the college.

“I feel very blessed about receiving this scholarship. I think it’s going to help me tremendously to help me further my education here at STC and continue on to my goal of becoming a CODA one day,” said Medina. “I’ve had an amazing experience in the program, it’s really hard and at times it gets really hard to juggle everything because it’s so overwhelming at times, but our professors are great, my classmates are great and it’s going to be so worth it at the end, and every minute of it is worth it.”

“We’re very proud of Jessica. All of our students work very hard, and we’re very proud of her and I’m proud she received the scholarship because she’s very worthy,” added STC OTA Program Chair Espy Brattin. “Jessica is very good, she has to juggle a family, she juggles a job, and since she has experience in healthcare, she’s able to share some of her experiences with her classmates that will help them along as well.”

From left, South Texas College Nursing and Allied Health Student Success Specialist Claudia Camacho, STC Associate Degree Nursing Program Chair Jayson Valerio, LVN student Venise West, STC NAH Dean Melba Treviño, and STC Vocational Nursing Program Chair Daphine Mora.

Like Medina, West also balances a family, work, and school. After a week of going to class and studying, she puts in long hours at work on the weekends at Knapp Medical Center to help put herself through school.

“I’m excited and relieved. I wasn’t expecting it because I knew there were a lot of applicants,” said West, who works as a surgical technician in Knapp Medical Center’s labor and delivery ward. “I work nights so that I can go through school. I work three 12-hour shifts every weekend, so I don’t have any spare time. It’s going to help a lot because I’m not going to have to be scrimping and saving to pay for tuition.

“I’m so glad that we are able to secure this money because even students on Pell Grants don’t have sufficient money to assist them with their family needs, like paying for their electricity, gas, transportation, the necessities that students always seemed to be burdened with,” added STC Nursing and Allied Health Dean Melba Treviño. “Having to work and trying to be successful in school can be difficult, especially in the healthcare field and it can be a real financial burden to students, so this money will help alleviate some of that. Healthcare careers are very rigorous fields of study and they don’t allow students much time to work. The stakes are so high that they must be focused and commit a lot of time to study.”

For additional information about STC’s Nursing and Allied Health careers, call (956) 872-3100 or visit http://nah.southtexascollege.edu/index.html.

The City of Mission and Mission Police Department donated two vehicles to the South Texas College Police Academy on May 1, 2013. From left, Mission City Manager Martin Garza, Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas, STC Dean of the Business and Technology Division Mario Reyna, and Mission Interim Police Chief Robert Domínguez.

The City of Mission and Mission Police Department donated a pair of police cars on May 1, 2013 to South Texas College for use in the college’s Police Academy, which began in fall 2012.

“We have always helped and supported STC’s programs and we’re happy that they now have a Police Academy at STC,” said Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas. “We had these two vehicles that we could’ve sold, but decided to donate them to STC so that they can put them to good use and help educate students that aspire to be police officers. STC’s Police Academy is very important and it’s something that was needed.”

The two patrol cars donated by the City of Mission and Mission Police Department will be used as part of STC’s Police Academy instructional resources. As part of the curriculum, students are taught how to use the vehicles and how to maneuver under certain situations.

“We are grateful for the donation made by the City of Mission, the mayor, and the Mission Police Department to the STC Police Academy,” said STC Dean of the Business and Technology Division Mario Reyna. “We know that in our community our officers need to continue their education so the academy and these programs were designed for our police officers in the Valley, and the vehicles donated by the City of Mission and Mission Police Department will be used as part of the Police Academy’s instruction.”

The STC Police Academy offers a Basic Peace Officer Certificate and 24 credit hours that can be applied toward an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Law Enforcement. The Police Academy is currently in its second cohort of students after beginning in fall 2012.

“We’re partnering with the local college to help train the police officers of the future,” said Mission Interim Police Chief Robert Domínguez. “This is an important thing also for the City of Mission as well because we know that a lot of students that attend STC actually come from the City of Mission, and these tools are a good resource for them to use during their training as police cadets.”

“The Police Academy is something that was needed in the Valley and where current and prospective law enforcement personnel can attend to start or continue their education,” concluded Domínguez.

For additional information about STC’s Police Academy call (956) 872-2764, via email at policeacademy@southtexascollege.edu, or visit http://bt.southtexascollege.edu/police/index.html.

Ballet Folklórico South Texas College members perform at a local event in Edinburg, Texas.

Ballet Folklórico South Texas College and the Office of Continuing, Professional, and Workforce Education will offer ballet folklórico classes to all skill levels from 6 to 11 years old and 15 years of age and up starting on June 17, 2013 at the STC’s Pecan Plaza location at 2621 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen.

The Ballet Folklórico South Texas College – Grupo Infantil class is a seven-week course that will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 5 to 6 p.m., starting on June 17 and ending July 30.

The beginning adult folklórico courses for ages 15 and older will also be held on the same dates from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. or 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost for either age group is $72 for the seven-week course and registration is currently open.

“We are exploring ways to offer folklórico classes to various age groups and levels of experience. There are few community programs in our district that caters to elementary and junior high school-aged kids, even adults, outside of public schools,” said Ballet Folklórico South Texas College Director Victor Gómez. “What better way to offer a program to our community members based on culture and the fine arts? I constantly get calls and emails from students and community members about joining our performing level ballet, but many don’t have much experience dancing folklórico. What we envision is having these students trained by members of our performing level ballet and eventually, if they choose, they can join us at the performing level when dancing and age ready.”

“However, folklórico dance isn’t just for those that aspire to dance at the performing level,” added Gómez.  “It can also be for anyone that wants to learn something new or even use it as part of their exercise routine and improve their level of fitness in the process.”

Although the Ballet Folklorico South Texas College – Grupo Infantil, as it will be named, may seem like a new idea, Gómez said it is something that is already being done in Mexico at institutions such as the Universidad de Guanajuato, whose director has personally worked with the Ballet Folklórico STC.   

“It’s a great idea and I see it as the seed of our group by starting them off young with the techniques of our Ballet Folklórico South Texas College, and if they like it they can advance to the older group and then onto the performing group,” said Ballet Folklórico STC dancer and Grupo Infantil Instructor Alejandra Lara. “This can be seen as a positive extracurricular activity for kids and adults, that keeps them occupied during the summer, while also getting some exercise and learning about Mexican traditions. The goal is to offer these courses with the same students throughout the fall and spring semesters, not just in the summer, in an effort to ‘raise’ our own talent and offer a community program centered around the arts.”

For additional information about STC’s youth and beginning adult ballet folklórico classes, call (956) 872-3585. For information on Ballet Folklórico South Texas College contact Victor Gomez at vgomez@southtexascollege.edu.

Abraham Garza epitomizes the success of STC’s Continuing Education Program.

For 31 year old Harlingen native Abraham Garza, it was the support and detailed training of South Texas College’s (STC) Alternative Teacher Certification Program that elevated him from a part-time night school teacher into a full-time position as an English teacher for Ignite Public Schools.  With a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas-Pan American, Garza knew he had to pursue other educational options that would make him more competitive in the workforce and certify him to teach at the highest of standards.

The mission of STC’s Alternative Teacher Certification Program is to empower teacher candidates with knowledge, skills, ethics and a caring spirit for achieving student success and certification. “There is a place for everyone at STC,” explains Continuing Education Director Juan Carlos Aguirre. “We serve that population that no one else can.”

After researching different alternative teacher certification programs in the Valley, Garza found that STC was not only affordable but also willing to work with him to get things started.  “STC opened up their arms to me and set a clear pathway,” said Garza. 

One of the most important parts of this pathway is the one-on-one instruction and guidance from STC Field Supervisors Mr. Jose Sepulveda and Mrs. Carmen Sepulveda.  This married power team boasts more than 80 years of shared teaching and administrative experience, translating to caring wisdom and high expectations.

“Our main job is to mentor the students going through the program,” explains Mr. Sepulveda.  “We know first-hand what administrators expect from teachers they hire.  My wife especially has great insight from the teacher side and I from the administrator side.”  Mrs. Sepulveda continues, “We have all of our students’ cell phone numbers with us at all times.  They know they can always reach us.”

One of the skills Garza learned from the Sepulvedas was the art of cycle thinking.  By understanding that as a teacher, he must view all situations from multiple angles including those of the student, parent, administrator and teacher he has become an excellent communicator and educator.  “I honestly don’t have words to explain how important Mr. and Mrs. Sepulveda were to my developing into an excellent teacher,” said Garza.  “It’s because of them that I’m flourishing at a school with at-risk students from less than perfect socio-economic backgrounds.  I understand these kids and want to mentor them the way Mr. and Mrs. Sepulveda mentored me.”

The support from STC staff does not stop there.  Continuing Education Officer Lorenna Treviño was one of the first people to assist Garza on his pathway to continuing his education.  “It is a great feeling to see how students reach a dream or a goal in life,” said Treviño.  “Continuing Education is a stepping stone for many students, and it allows an open avenue to gain employable skills.”

Garza’s dream is definitely coming true as his star continues to rise at Ignite Public Schools.  By initiating a basketball program, he has earned more respect and admiration from his students.  He also acts as a Teacher Leader, which he attributes to everything he has learned from Mr. and Mrs. Sepulveda. “To this day, Mr. Sepulveda calls me mijo.  They are that dynamic duo who has changed my life and inspired me to change the lives of others through the power of education.”   

Abraham Garza (middle) poses with his STC Field Supervisors and mentors Mr. & Mrs. Jose Sepulveda.