STC, Achieving the Dream Grant create pre-health care pipeline for RGV
STC is known as a national leader in dual credit, and its pre-health care pathways and the college’s initiatives to address and meet the needs of nursing and other health care professional shortages have caught the attention of the Achieving the Dream (ATD) Grant, with representatives recently visiting the campus.
South Texas College is known as a national leader in dual credit, and its pre-health care pathways and the college’s initiatives to address and meet the needs of nursing and other health care professional shortages have caught the attention of the Achieving the Dream (ATD) Grant, with representatives recently visiting the campus.
“This visit reflects national recognition of the work we champion every day, particularly in meeting the health care workforce needs of our community and beyond,” said Jayson Valerio, DNP, STC regional health care liaison. “Our partnership with ATD Grant pre-health care pathways began in 2024 and has now been extended through 2026 because of the remarkable progress we continue to demonstrate.”
ATD is a nonprofit organization committed to improving outcomes for community college students nationwide, with a leadership team that has expressed high admiration for STC’s innovative health care pathways, strong collaborations with dual credit school districts and high school partners, employers and engagement in Texas public advocacy.
Garnering the most recent attention is STC’s partnership with Roma Independent School District and Starr County Memorial Hospital. Through this collaboration, high school seniors are given the opportunity to complete and receive a certificate from the college’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Basic program, encouraging matriculation into STC’s EMS Advanced and Paramedic programs.
Since 2000, STC’s Dual Credit Programs have served more than 150,000 students and have saved families $464 million.
Furthermore, STC is the first community college in the nation to launch a Registered Nursing Apprenticeship approved by the Department of Labor and in 2024, Valerio, as part of his work with STC and statewide health care initiatives, was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to serve on the inaugural Texas Health Care Workforce Task Force as one of only 13 statewide leaders.
The task force developed 18 recommendations to strengthen the state’s health care workforce, four of which were enacted into law this year.
This visit reflects national recognition of the work we champion every day, particularly in meeting the health care workforce needs of our community and beyond. Our partnership with ATD Grant pre-health care pathways began in 2024 and has now been extended through 2026 because of the remarkable progress we continue to demonstrate.
Paula Talley, executive director of Holistic Student Supports and Workforce Alignment with Achieving the Dream, said they have an evolving vision of community vibrancy centers on colleges at anchor institutions, organizations that catalyze opportunity, partner intentionally and design clear pathways that improve lives across generations.
“Our time on campus was energizing. STC embodies our vision at Achieving the Dream and is a living example of what community vibrancy looks like in action,” she said. “STC’s focus on building equitable health care pipelines, supporting nontraditional learners and aligning with regional workforce needs speaks directly to the future of student-centered institutional transformation. STC is clearly operating as a leader among community colleges and the momentum they are building will not only benefit their region, but will serve as a model for the broader network.”
STC prides itself in being one of the top producers of nurses in the state among other colleges and universities and boasts a 2025 99% National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate.
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., said that Achieving the Dream’s visit highlighted STC’s ongoing initiatives designed to increase student success, strengthen workforce alignment and meet the growing demand for health care professionals statewide.
“With Achieving the Dream, STC is creating clear and sustainable pathways that address workforce needs, a college-going culture with accessible and affordable education and transformative opportunities that benefit the RGV and beyond,” said Solis. “We are building a strong pre-health care pipeline that prepares students for rewarding, high-paying careers and supports them through their journey as either dual credit, traditional or nontraditional students. We are building meaningful pathways and empowering learners.”