STC alumna paves pathway for future therapists at Sharyland ISD

For South Texas College alumna Mariah Infante, becoming a physical therapist assistant (PTA) was not simply a degree; it was how she helped her father relearn to walk after losing his leg and adjust to life after losing his sight. 

Today, she is bringing that same commitment to Sharyland Independent School District, where she helped launch the district’s first Kinesiology pathway and is preparing students across the Rio Grande Valley to pursue careers in health care.

“Going through STC’s PTA program was life-changing,” said the 27-year-old. “My faculty supported me while I balanced school and caring for my dad. That experience taught me the power of encouragement, and now, I want to pass that on to my students, so they feel confident and ready to pursue highly-competitive programs in health care.”

Infante’s passion for the medical field began early in her hometown of Mission, where she grew up with a strong interest in sports. After graduating from Mission Veterans Memorial High School, she attended The University of Texas at San Antonio, earning a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a focus on Athletic Medicine.

However, when her father’s health declined due to a severe case of diabetes that led to the loss of his leg and later his vision, Infante returned home. That is when she discovered STC’s PTA program and chose to apply, determined to continue her path toward physical therapy while caring for her father. 

“I was 24 at the time and helping him relearn how to walk and move around the house showed me how meaningful this field is,” she said. “My younger brother and I moved him in with us. Balancing school and caring for him was challenging, but it gave me purpose and made me even more determined. I even brought his prosthetic leg to class so I could learn to care for him the right way.”

Not only did she graduate in 2022, completing a two-year program filled with challenges and uncertainty during a pandemic that limited contact in a highly hands-on profession, but her brother, Anthony Gonzalez, also followed in her footsteps. He entered the program the same year she graduated and earned his associate degree in 2024. 

“Today my dad is fully independent and active,” she said. “Becoming a therapist helped me understand what he is capable of, and now he is thriving. Aside from helping with meals, he does everything on his own. I owe it all to STC.”

Infante worked for nearly three years at Evolutions Therapy, a local, independent clinic offering physical, occupational and aquatic therapy for both pediatric and adult patients. There, she earned additional certifications and worked with a wide range of diagnoses, gaining experience that strengthened her passion for the field.

When she got engaged last year, an opportunity to join Sharyland ISD as a health science teacher opened. Infante recognized a chance to invest in the next generation of therapists and stepped into the role, excited to bring hands-on learning and real-world preparation to students interested in health care careers.

“At STC, the biggest lesson I learned was how to take knowledge from the book and apply it in real life. That inspires my teaching,” she said. “Our hands are our tools and STC taught me the value of learning by doing. I bring that into my classroom every day.”

Infante has quickly become an advocate for expanding opportunities, especially for students interested in therapy careers and other lesser-known professions in the medical field. She has worked to introduce a pathway that gives students early exposure to Kinesiology, Rehabilitation Sciences and hands-on patient-care skills, with the long-term goal of connecting them to dual credit options and college programs. 

“I saw so many students who wanted to be physical therapists, athletic trainers or occupational therapists but didn’t have a starting point,” she said. “Because of my background and what STC gave me, I wanted to open that door for them. Our administration, counselors and team supported the vision and now we have our first Kinesiology pathway to prepare students to compete with the best.”

Recently married, Infante now looks ahead with a clear mission: to ensure students understand the full spectrum of health care careers available to them and feel prepared to pursue competitive programs after graduation.

“I want to keep opening doors for students and guiding them toward therapy and health care careers they may not even know exist,” she said. “I am grateful that STC provided me with stability when my life did not. They supported me when I needed it most, and now I get to pay that forward by helping the next generation step into their purpose.”

For more information on STC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/physical-therapist-assistant/ or call 956-872-3216.