South Texas College honors the work of TWC chairman Andres Alcantar
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) chairman and commissioner representing the public Andres Alcantar will always be remembered as a friend of South Texas College, according to representatives from STC who were on hand to wish Alcantar farewell in Austin July 31.
Alcantar announced his resignation from TWC earlier in July.
Alcantar’s legacy will be the 10,000-plus individuals trained using more than $14.5 million in advanced skills training funds awarded to the college, said STC Executive Officer for External Affairs Wanda Garza.
“Chair Andres Alcantar has made a difference in the lives of so many families throughout the Rio Grande Valley. He worked tirelessly for the people of Texas to have access to Community College’s Workforce Education programs that would advance the development of a competitive workforce,” Garza said. “He will always be remembered as a friend of South Texas College.
“His ten years of service as Chair of the Texas Workforce Commission has distinguished him as an individual of honor and a leader committed to the advancement prosperity of all communities throughout the State of Texas,” Garza said.
Alcantar was appointed Commissioner by former Governor Rick Perry in Aug. 2008, and after a decade of leadership and more than 20 years of public service, Alcantar announced his resignation as chairman of TWC on July 10.
“Chair Andres Alcantar has made a difference in the lives of so many families throughout the Rio Grande Valley. He worked tirelessly for the people of Texas to have access to Community College’s Workforce Education programs that would advance the development of a competitive workforce.”
When it came to higher education, Alcantar advanced a diverse range of strategies designed to inspire and prepare students for postsecondary success at work or in the classroom, focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) initiatives as a key component of future workforce competitiveness.
Alcantar worked to make college more accessible for Texas families, strongly supporting innovative industry-aligned early college models, and his efforts and leadership helped students enter the workforce more quickly with marketable skills.
He was instrumental in his recommendation through the Tri-Agency partnership with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to enhance the skills of the Texas workforce, advance regional economic expansion and job creation, and further the goals of education and skills attainment under the 60x30TX plan.
Alcantar is also credited with creating better career awareness systems to link students, parents, and educators to the broad array of high-demand jobs in this state.
“I am proud of the work we have done, what we have accomplished and would like to express my gratitude to the South Texas College leadership for their tireless work on behalf of our current and future workforce,” said Alcantar. “It was an honor to be a part of TWC and serve with so many great leaders across Texas.”