Cultivating a passion for agriculture and education
Student of the Week: Alexa Ponce
STC was the better choice because it’s more affordable and closer to home. It was the right decision, and now I’m almost done.
Alexa Ponce is working toward combining her love for animals and teaching, all while pursuing an associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at South Texas College.
With a goal of becoming an agriculture teacher, the 19-year-old is determined to inspire future generations the same way her mentors inspire her.
“I’ve always loved animals,” Ponce said. “I was in agriculture classes throughout high school, raising lambs and rabbits, but I didn’t realize where that passion came from until I recently found out my great-grandmother loved animals too. It made me feel like this was truly meant for me.”
Ponce’s journey toward becoming an educator started with a conversation with an advisor at STC. While the college doesn’t have an agriculture-specific teaching program, her advisor guided her to Interdisciplinary Studies, which would allow her to build a strong foundation before transferring to Texas A&M-Kingsville to specialize in Agriculture Education.
“I originally planned to go straight to Texas A&M-Kingsville, but STC was the better choice because it’s more affordable and closer to home,” she said. “It was the right decision, and now I’m almost done.”
With just one semester left at STC, Ponce expects to graduate this summer and transfer to Kingsville, where she will complete the 26 classes required to become an agriculture teacher.
Her dream of teaching is rooted in the impact her own teachers had on her, recalling her agriculture teacher in San Antonio, where she lived for two years before returning to the Rio Grande Valley.
“My agriculture teacher there was always there for me. He helped me adjust when I felt homesick and supported me from the beginning, even when I knew nothing. He taught me so much, and I want to be that kind of teacher for others,” said Ponce.
Despite being a first-generation college student, Ponce comes from a hardworking family with a background in welding. Her father and grandfather were both welders, which inspired her to take a welding course at STC in addition to her selected major.
“In agriculture, welding is an important skill,” she said. “I wanted to learn how to do it, not just because of my family’s history, but because it’s useful for building and repairing farm equipment and fences.”
Her father’s advice keeps her motivated through tough times.
“He always tells me, ‘Try your best, because in the end, it always works out,’” she said. “Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that I just toned to push through a little longer. It helps me stay disciplined and keep going.”
As she prepares to transfer and take the next steps toward her career, Ponce remains committed to becoming an agriculture teacher, whether in the Rio Grande Valley or returning to San Antonio.
“My goal is to be a great teacher, to help students the way my teachers helped me,” she said. “I want to inspire them to find their own passion, just like I did.”
For more information on the career options available at STC, visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/.