South Texas College helps student become a leader, build a career in education

With a strong desire to make an impact on future generations, South Texas College student and long-time employee Anselmo Reyna, has taken the next steps towards a career in educational leadership through STC’s Bachelor in Organizational Leadership program and a brand-new job with the college.

“My instructors and supervisors have always motivated me to make the best decisions and inspired me to make that same impact on future students,” he said. “I want to take my knowledge and experience from STC and make a difference.”

Raised in a household of educators, the 23-year-old dreamed of becoming a high school history teacher, graduating from STC with an associate degree in Secondary Education.

“I have always been interested in education since many of my family members are teachers and counselors, so I wanted to follow their path,” he explained. “Working at STC gave me a different perspective of what I could achieve on the administration side of a school, so I decided to explore my opportunities to grow within the college.”

After a year as a college student, Reyna got interested in a work-study position and applied to be a student specialist assistant in the Nursing and Allied Health campus.

“Coming from Pecan (campus), the Nursing and Allied Health campus was an entirely different environment to me and I grew to enjoy it so much,” he said. “Health care students have tighter schedules so I could see that they appreciated the student events we put on for them.”

He would assist staff with registration, events and tours, even earning a nickname as ‘The ID guy,’ because one of his duties was helping the students with their student identification cards.

After graduating in 2020, Reyna was approached for a temporary part-time position in the school’s library, which helped him decide to stay at the college.

“The feeling of witnessing a student grow from the first semester to graduation and overcoming their struggles, was my first taste of what I wanted my future to be,” he said. “I enjoyed my time working for the college so much, and so many opportunities kept opening up for me, that I decided to pursue a career in higher education by earning a bachelor’s degree.”

Reyna recently started a full-time position with the college as a Student Services Specialist, an achievement he attributes to the help of STC’s Career and Employment Center.

“Even though I had experience, my resume needed some work,” he said. “They helped me improve it by guiding me on what features to highlight and how to present myself professionally, which helped me land not one, but two job offers right away.”

STC’s Career and Employment Center provides students and alumni with many services such as coaching on resume building and interview preparation, as well as professional workshops and a closet of professional attire available for free to any student in need.

“I was also offered a job in the private sector, but I ultimately went with STC because it has always been here for me,” he shared. “STC has opened the doors to me as a student, work study and part-time employee, and has given me the opportunity to earn an associate degree and study for a bachelor’s degree. I’m excited to keep exploring the opportunities that are available to me within this wonderful community.”

Reyna will be graduating this fall from the Organizational Leadership program and hopes to give back to the college through his new role at STC.

“Now I have more responsibility and a real opportunity to be a leader to other work studies and employees by sharing my experience,” he said. “In this position, I can keep making a change for the betterment of the college; I’m really excited for the future.”

Currently, STC is the only community college in Texas to offer five bachelor’s programs.

For more information visit bachelors.southtexascollege.edu/orgl/ or call 956-872-7272.