Overcoming Tragedy, Inspiring Change through Education at STC
Student of the Week: Amberlee Vela
My involvement here on campus really motivates me to come to college every day. We’re like a big family.
With her family left to pick up the pieces after her father passed way, Amberlee Vela said she found inspiration from her mother, who had no choice but to raise a family as a single parent.
Looking to make the most out of tragedy, Vela said she used a her natural talent as a caregiver for children to influence her path in higher education at South Texas College.
Born and raised in Rio Grande City, Vela said she began this fall at STC’s Starr County campus and hopes to graduate with a degree in education by 2025.
“Ever since my dad passed away, I feel I have been doing it for him, my grandma and especially my mom who has had to take care of me and my family as a single parent,” Vela said.
“Seeing what she has gone through makes me want to try harder than ever to help the family. And I can do that by succeeding at what I do best.”
Vela said she started STC with the goal of getting involved on campus.
She immediately joined the campus Student Government Association (SGA) as a senator along with Student Leadership Association (SLA). Her work has positively influenced the operation of the campus student pantry and numerous events with students throughout the fall semester.
“My involvement here on campus really motivates me to come to college every day,” Vela said. “I have been helping with the student pantry and I’m really social with everyone. I get along well with everybody here and I can tell that they trust me. We’re like a big family here on campus.”
STC offers an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) that introduces students to the teaching profession, and allows them to choose between elementary, middle school and high school education tracks.
The degree gives students the opportunity to take a minimum of up to 60 credit hours of general education courses at STC and then transfer into a four-year university.
Vela said the degree she is pursuing solidifies a talent she discovered early, having a nurturing spirit and patience to take care of small children for as long as she can remember.
“I really enjoy working with little kids,” Vela said. “I have always taken care of my little cousins or babies at one point, so this is inspired from that experience. Just the opportunity to motivate people is what drives me down my future career choice.”
For more information on STC’s Education program visit www.southtexascollege. edu/academics/education/.