25
July
2022
|
11:15 AM
America/Chicago

STC, Region One partner for second year to showcase allied health professions

Summary

STC recently hosted the Region One ESC Pathfinder Academy for teachers, counselors and administrators from school districts across the Rio Grande Valley.  

South Texas College has partnered, for the second year, with the Region One Education Service Center (ESC) as host for the organization’s PATHS Project Pathfinder Academy. 

The academy, hosted at the college’s Nursing and Allied Health Building was attended by teachers, counselors and administrators from 10 Rio Grande Valley school districts from Harlingen, Hidalgo, La Joya, La Sara, Lyford, Pharr, San Juan and Alamo, Roma, Valley View, Vanguard and South Texas Independent School District. 

The Pathfinder Academy pathways align to health science and educate those who work closely with students interested in pursuing one of a dozen health-related degrees offered at the college.  

STC Nursing and Allied Health Division Project Manager Karen Castillo said working with Region One is always an exciting opportunity to let educators see what the college has to offer.   

“It’s a pleasure hosting the PATHS Academy for the second time,” said Castillo. “This allows us to showcase our programs, the technology we use for training and inform on our program requirements. Best of all, attendees get to speak one-on-one with our program chairs and take information back to their students that helps them make decisions about their future.” 

“It’s a pleasure hosting the PATHS Academy for the second time.This allows us to showcase our programs, the technology we use for training and inform on our program requirements. Best of all, attendees get to speak one-on-one with our program chairs and take information back to their students that helps them make decisions about their future.” 

NAH project manager Ana Karen Castillo

Castillo added she looks forward to continuing this partnership because the outcome benefits the entire community.  

During the two-day event, those in attendance completed workshops that focused on advising, student success in health care courses and clinical compliance, in addition to campus tours of STC’s allied health simulation labs and discussions with faculty from programs such as Pharmacy Technology, Health and Medical Administrative Services, Patient Care Technician and Nursing.  

Claudia Gutierrez, Region One ESC Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education specialist for the Office of College, Career and Life Readiness said that school districts report that a large population of their students enroll at STC and having this partnership allows teachers, students and their families to make informed decisions about college.  

“Region One ESC PATHS Project is pleased to partner with STC for the second year and to provide guidance to counselors, teachers and administrators in all aspects regarding the programs that STC’s Nursing and Allied Health division offers,” said Gutierrez. “This academy allows us to better advise our students in their important college decision years.” 

Liana T. Garcia, La Joya Independent School District Academy of Health Science Professions and STEM assistant principal said this is her second Pathfinder Academy and she appreciates STC opening their doors and giving them the opportunity to interact with instructors and student healthcare labs.  

“This event allows us to improve how we facilitate advisement from high school to college for our students,” said Garcia. “It’s important that we can make a connection with services so we can help our students find the path that’s right for them.”  

Garcia added that La Joya ISD currently has 11 rising seniors and recent graduates completing the certified nursing assistant program through STC to help create a pipeline to the Associate Degree in Nursing program.  

“Thanks to our partnerships with STC and Region One, our students have been exposed to the college setting, they’re taking college classes and are ready to succeed,” she said. “They’ll complete the program in August and their visions for what they can do have broadened.”  

Third grade teacher at Vanguard Academy Beethoven Elementary School Tony Delgado said, as an alumnus of the college, he is familiar with the programs, services and resources offered at the college, but getting this inside look at the health professions will allow him to better educate his students on career possibilities.  

“As a teacher, I want to motivate and inspire students to pursue a higher education, always,” said Delgado. “Although my students are young, they are never too young to learn about college and this gives me the avenue to give them insight as to what is available to them.”  

Delgado graduated from STC with an associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership.  

“STC was a great educational experience for me,” he said. “It’s great to see how much the college grows every year and how much it has to offer. STC is inspiring our kids and that’s amazing.”