STC and UTRGV Work Together to Facilitate Student Transfers
Left to right, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley President Dr. Guy Bailey, STC interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Anahid Petrosian, UTRGV Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Janna Arney, and South Texas College President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis. South Texas College and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley held its first in-person Collaborative session in two years Jan. 25. Billed as a formal greeting and introduction for leadership, the meeting also served as an interactive workshop that enabled both institutions to address the most pressing needs for students in the new year.
“This is a very unique opportunity for all us. We know what needs to be done. We know the issues and we all know the challenges, and that’s why today I am being more direct with our vision that both of these incredible institutions share. We are very proud to be a part of this incredible partnership. We need to be aware of immediate change and adjustment.”
Some faces may have changed, but the issues facing higher education in the region are more prevalent than ever.
South Texas College and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley held the 4th annual Collaborative Leadership Meeting Jan. 25. The collaborative is made up of top-level administrators from both institutions of higher education and is tasked with finding ways to facilitate seamless transition for students transferring from South Texas College to UTRGV.
STC President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis and UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey were on hand for welcoming remarks, which was then followed by STC interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Anahid Petrosian and UTRGV Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Janna Arney offering a recap of the work that has been done by the STC and UTRGV Collaborative
Dr. Petrosian took the lead on this initiative in 2018, and has led and grown the collaborative effort.
“This is a very unique opportunity for all us,” President Solis said. “We know what needs to be done. We know the issues and we all know the challenges, and that’s why today I am being more direct with our vision that both of these incredible institutions share. We are very proud to be a part of this incredible partnership. We need to be aware of immediate change and adjustment.”
Organized and led by vice presidents from STC and UTRGV, as well as leadership teams from both institutions, the roughly two-hour collaborative meeting touched on a myriad of hot button issues facing students and administrators alike.
“I am proud of what we at UTRGV have achieved with partners like South Texas College, with the cities and communities we work with, so thank you for everything you do. I was looking at the transfer agreements we have and we have made very good progress but we can still do more. We have a vested interest in your (STC) enrollment because your students come to us. It is absolutely in our best interest, and we hope it’s in your best interest to collaborate and work together.”
“I am proud of what we at UTRGV have achieved with partners like South Texas College, with the cities and communities we work with, so thank you for everything you do,” President Bailey said. “I was looking at the transfer agreements we have and we have made very good progress but we can still do more. We have a vested interest in your (STC) enrollment because your students come to us. It is absolutely in our best interest, and we hope it’s in your best interest to collaborate and work together.”
A priority of the meeting was reporting the long-term and comprehensive issues that were best addressed through a continuous partnership, according to Petrosian.
Admissions, research and data sharing, student progression and success and faculty collaboration were all at the forefront during the meeting as was eliminating barriers for students transferring between the institutions.
“One of the goals of this annual meeting is to bring everyone together and provide an update of the collaborative work that has been accomplished and identify gaps that still need to be addressed,” VP Petrosian said. “We have to keep these productive partnerships together and working together and meet on a regular basis to resolve any issues that may come up between these two important institutions that are critical to our region. Keeping our partnership strong takes a lot of effort but on behalf of myself and Dr. Arney, we are committed to this.”
“We have to keep these productive partnerships together and working together and meet on a regular basis to resolve any issues that may come up between these two important institutions that are critical to our region. Keeping our partnership strong takes a lot of effort but on behalf of myself and Dr. Arney, we are committed to this.”
UTRGV is the top transfer choice for former STC students. More than 80 percent of transfer students seeking to continue their education opted to attend the university, according to the college.
Among the 87 articulation agreements STC has with various universities and colleges across Texas and the nation, more than 30 of those are solely with UTRGV.
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with South Texas College, and together, we continue to expand higher educational opportunities for many students throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” said Dr. Janna Arney, UTRGV executive vice president and provost. “Both institutions are deeply devoted to student success, and we thank STC for being such great partners and look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with South Texas College, and together, we continue to expand higher educational opportunities for many students throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Both institutions are deeply devoted to student success, and we thank STC for being such great partners and look forward to many more years of collaboration.”