CTE Leadership Meeting Promotes Workforce Development in the Rio Grande Valley
The South Texas College (STC) recently hosted a pivotal Career and Technical Education (CTE) Leadership Meeting, gathering over 50 administrators, CTE directors, and counselors from 14 school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. This event, centered on enhancing workforce development, highlighted over 90 workforce programs tailored to meet regional career demands and further solidify STC’s role as a crucial pillar in local educational and economic progress.
A Strategic Gathering for Local Workforce Development
Held at STC’s Technology Campus, the CTE Leadership Meeting provided a vital platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Participants, including representatives from numerous school districts such as Hidalgo, Starr, and beyond, engaged in discussions about the diverse CTE offerings at the college. The event featured networking opportunities with faculty, advisors, and key representatives from STC’s extensive range of programs, including those under Continuing, Professional, and Workforce Development (CPWE) and the Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships.
Rebecca De Leon, Ed.D., associate vice president for Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships at STC, emphasized the meeting’s significance. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our guests here today to explore new options for students, specifically in the career and technical pathways, and to see what students may be interested in,” she said. By connecting CTE counselors and administrators with key faculty and staff, the event is poised to enhance dual credit and workforce programs in the region.
Dual Credit Programs: A Beacon of Opportunity
Since its inception in 1999, STC’s Dual Credit Programs have become a hallmark of educational access and economic support in South Texas. Serving over 145,000 students and saving school districts and families more than $425 million in tuition costs, the program represents a significant financial relief for Valley residents. With a remarkable 13% increase in enrollment—the largest in a decade—STC’s dual credit initiative continues to expand, now reaching over 11,000 students across 21 school districts.
The program remains the only NACEP (National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships) accredited dual credit initiative in Texas, reinforcing its reputation for delivering high-quality concurrent education pathways. Brett J. Millan, Ed.D., associate vice president of Academic Success and Advancement at STC, expressed the dual credit program’s impact. “We start students off while they are still in high school, letting them know of all the different pathways within these trades and skills that are in great demand for our region. This not only helps the students and their families but creates regional prosperity,” he remarked.
Empowering Students and Families in the Valley
The CTE Leadership Meeting underscored the profound influence that education, specifically through workforce development and dual credit programs, has on communities in the Rio Grande Valley. Adelina Villarreal, CTE director with Rio Grande City Grulla ISD, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership with STC. “Like everyone here at STC likes to say, ‘We’re offering dreams,’ and I am elated that I get to make a difference in our students’ lives,” she said, reflecting on the transformative impact of quality education on student success and familial well-being.
Judith Dimas, CTE director with Hidalgo ISD, highlighted the importance of preparing students with workforce-relevant skills. “With changes in workforce needs, not only here but statewide, we want to better prepare our students. The partnerships we have with STC and how they provide guidance and support is enhancing our programs,” she noted.
Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Workforce
The continued growth and success of STC’s programs hold promising implications for the Rio Grande Valley. By equipping students with in-demand skills and pathways to advanced education and immediate employment, STC contributes to the broader economic resilience and development of the region. The meeting also ties into ongoing local initiatives aimed at fostering a prosperous and well-prepared workforce that meets regional and national demands.
Through strategic partnerships with high schools, employers, and four-year institutions, STC’s role as a bridge between education and economic opportunity remains essential. As Valley residents witness the tangible benefits of workforce-focused education, the impact of such initiatives will likely extend beyond the immediate educational environment, shaping the socio-economic landscape of the region for years to come.
For more information on STC’s Dual Credit Programs and their impact on the community, interested parties are encouraged to visit www.southtexascollege.edu/dual/. These resources offer insight into how education can play a transformative role in regions rich with potential like the Rio Grande Valley, further bolstering local impact and community prosperity.
