MISSION, Texas - The Rio-South Texas Education & Community Development Foundation (RSTEF) has announced its 2024 funding recipients.
RSTEF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on postsecondary education and workforce development. It serves a seven-county region comprised of Willacy, Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Webb counties. Its CEO is Adam Gonzalez. Its board chair is Keith Patridge.
RSTEF’s goal is to help our region’s residents attain vocational trade certifications and/or degrees for in-demand professions thereby improving the economic conditions and quality of life for the region.
This year RSTEF was able to award $1.394 million to nine initiatives that will advance postsecondary education and workforce development in the region.
“We are very pleased with this year’s investment. The RSTEF Board has sought out to push the needle in the right direction in terms of developing a skilled workforce through our focus on postsecondary education and workforce development,” Gonzalez told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.
“This year we were able to assist nine new initiatives and honor our multi-year commitment to an endowment in partnership with UTRGV. However, we recognize that there is still a need as we were not able to fund all our community partners that submitted funding proposals.”
The 2024 awardees are:
1. Texas State Technical College Foundation: Goal Line Assistance Program
2. South Texas College Education Foundation: Promise Program
3. Texas State Technical College Foundation: CTE Student Scholarship Program
4. Texas A&M International University Alumni Foundation: Closer Than Ever Program Endowment
5. Texas A&M Foundation: Texas A&M University Higher Education Center (McAllen) Construction Science Endowment
6. Laredo College: Start 2 Finish Program
7. Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board: Project BUILD
8. Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board: LEAD Internships
9. Valley Grande Institute: Regional Healthcare Apprenticeship
Together with a previous commitment to fund a UTRGV endowment, RSTEF is set to distribute $2.3 million in 2024.
Gonzalez, RSTEF’s CEO, said each recipient must provided a dollar-for-dollar match. He pointed out that this translates into over $4.6 investment in postsecondary education and workforce development.
Gonzalez said RSTEF’s total investment in the Rio-South Texas region over the last five years totals just over $7.5 million. The group first funded community partners in 2020. Gonzalez said this represents a total impact of over $15 million to the Rio South Texas region.
RSTEF’s funding cycle opens July 1st and closes August 31st. To inquire about RSTEF and funding support contact info@riosouthtexasecdf.org.
Here are details on the 2024 initiatives RSTEF is funding:
Laredo College
Through its Laredo Community College Education Foundation, Laredo College was awarded $132,515 for its Start 2 Finish program. The project is intended to assist individuals that are seeking Integrated Education Training programs and deemed basic skills deficient. Funding will enable Laredo College to serve 84 students and purchase equipment for health training programs.
Workforce Solutions
In conjunction with local partners, Workforce Solutions was able to secure RSTEF funding for two programs. It was awarded $25,000 for its LEAD Internship Initiative. This program is a collaboration between UTRGV, RGV Focus and WFS to provide paid internship opportunities for 23 students. The program is designed to bridge the gap between employers and students by engaging them in meaningful paid work experience and identifying potential future employees possessing the skills to excel within their organizations.
Workforce Solutions was awarded $10,000 for its Project BUILD. In collaboration with the Rio Grande Valley Chapter Associated General Contractors, Project Building & Up-skilling through Industry Level Development (BUILD) proposes to address the manufacturing and construction skill gaps by providing entry level career pathway certification/credentials. The program is expected to service a minimum of 50 individuals.
South Texas College
Through the South Texas College Education Foundation, RSTEF awarded $250,000 to STC Promise Programs. This program aims to assist 200 students via “last-dollar” scholarships to cover financial gaps not provided through federal or State financial aid. The program will focus on careers such as education, engineering, math, and nursing.
TAMIU
RSTEF awarded TAMIU $250,000 for the Closer Than Ever Scholarship Endowment. Through this endowment, TAMIU is able to secure funding for a proven scholarship program to assist recovered former students who wish to complete their degrees. The program will focus on the career pathways of education, business, math, nursing and health science. TAMIU expects to assist 25 students a year with this endowment.
Texas A&M University Higher Education Center - McAllen
The TAMU center was able to secure RSTEF funding in the amount of $250,000 for the Construction Science Endowment. This endowment is expected to encourage local students into the professional field of construction science, a STEM program which relates to engineering and engineering-related fields. The program is expected to assist between 20 and 25 students annually.
TSTC Harlingen
Through the TSCT Foundation, RSTEF awarded TSTC Harlingen financial assistance for two proven programs which promote postsecondary education and workforce development. TSTC Harlingen was able to secure $150,000 for its CTE Student Scholarship Program. This program is expected to assist 150 students enrolled into TSTC technical training programs with the aim to secure the student graduates with a professional certification in a targeted industry.
TSTC Harlingen was able to secure $200,000 for its Goal Line Assistance Program. This program provides support to TSTC students who are within three semesters of graduation and who are facing financial hardship. The aim of this program is to secure the student graduates with a professional certificate or degree. The program is expected to assist 200 students.
UTRGV Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation Endowed Scholarship
In 2024, RSTEF was able to meet its multi-year commitment to UTRGV providing $1 million to the Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation Endowed Scholarship. This endowment assists graduate students pursue their professional degrees such as Master degree. Graduate students have limited recourse other than student loans. This program is intended to offset the financial burden on the students and get more local talent to obtain professional degrees. The program has assisted 150 students since its inception.
Valley Grande Institute
RSTEF awarded VGI with $127,000 for its Regional Healthcare Apprenticeship Expansion Initiative. The purpose of the funding is to increase training capacity via the purchase of equipment. This will allow 60 more students to enroll in VGI programs helping meet the regional needs for medical personnel.
