Today marks the beginning of a new partnership between South Texas College and Sam Houston State University.
One that will allow our graduates from both our workforce law enforcement program and our academic transfer criminal justice program to continue their degrees at home, but earning credits at Sam Houston State University.
Through this innovative collaboration, our students cannot complete their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the premier university in the state renowned in criminal justice for almost 60 years, and now we're also a premier institution. So having this collaboration between two premier institutions is something to celebrate.
This program not only strengthens the educational pathways that are available to our students, but it also demonstrates our shared commitment to cultivate highly-skilled, knowledgeable and community focused public service. So by bringing these courses directly to South Texas College, we are removing barriers and expanding opportunities for our students to advance their careers, serve their communities and reach their professional goals.
It is a perfect example of how collaboration between institutions can create meaningful impact and lasting change in the lives of our students.
So today, you will get to hear more about the program offerings from Dr. Stender, and Dr Lyons. However, before we move on, I would like to take the opportunity to thank our Board of Trustees, Dr. Alejo Salinas, Jr., our chair, and Paul Rodriguez, and the rest of the board members who could not be with us today, as well as our president, Dr. Ricardo J. Solis, and Dr. Anahid Petrosian, our provost, and, of course, our partners at Sam Houston State University who you will hear from in just a few minutes.
So, without these people and their extreme commitment to these programs, we couldn't provide these best educational accolades for our Valley residents. So, none of this could be possible. So now it is truly my honor to turn the program over to a dynamic leader who has been instrumental in making these types of opportunities available here at South Texas College our president, Dr. Ricardo J. Solis.
Editor’s Note: The above commentary was provided by Dr. Brett Millán, associate vice president of academic success and advancement for South Texas College. He made the remarks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new partnership between STC and Sam Houston State University.
Editor's Note: Here, below, is a video recordiong of an interview the Rio Grande Guardian secured with Dr. Phillip Lyons, the longest serving dean at Sam Houston State University. Lyons is dean of the Collge of Criminal Justice at SHSU.
In his remarks from the podium, Dr. Solis said STC and SHSU were developing an incredible, innovative and unique partnership.
“This is a true testament of what STC is doing, meeting the students’ needs where they're at. In this case, Sam Houston State University is coming to STC, at our campus, to be able to deliver unique opportunities to our students,” Solis said.
“We provide the skills, but we turn these skills and education into opportunity. This is what STC does best, and we're so proud to be honored to have this opportunity.”
Solis said the STC-SHSU partnership offers a flexible curriculum at the STC campus.
“Sam Houston State University is renowned as the number one institution in the state when it comes to criminal justice,” he said.
Solis thanked Region One Education Services Center, who had sent a couple of representatives to the event.
“Region One has been an incredible partner that is also been the backbone for this entire area in providing us the latest educational opportunities.”
He also thanked Hidalgo ISD Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez for being present, in addition to McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos, McAllen City Commissioner Rolando Rios, and McAllen Chamber/McAllen Economic Development Corporation President Elizabeth Suarez for their attendance.
Another speaker was Dr. David Stender, senior director of strategy and innovation at SHSU.
“It's my honor to be here at South Texas College to like to celebrate this partnership. I'd like to begin by thanking Dr. Solis, by recognizing thanking the board chair, Dr. Salinas and the rest of the STC board and leadership team. Without you, without your leadership, we wouldn't be able to make this vision happen,” Stender said.
“I also want to recognize the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, community leaders and all our distinguished guests joining us today, with special recognition to McAllen’s mayor.”
Stender continued: “One of the first things that we wanted to do we came in in July, we thought it was very important we meet with the community leaders. And so we met the community leaders to explain them what we wanted to do here on this campus, and how we wanted to elevate opportunities for the students in education, and so it was a great opportunity to do that. They've been very supportive, and they've led us to meet with other great leaders across the area. I also want to recognize Brownsville Public Utility Board that came up from Brownsville. We appreciate that.”
Stender said he also wanted to give a shout out to Alan Marina, a SHSU student worker. He said the university would be hiring a student worker from the Valley. “It’s very important that we have students that are a part of our program, but they not only are part of it, they make it work, make it happen. And so Alan is very important part of that.”
Stender also thanked STC staff, including Dr. Millán, for laying the groundwork for the agreement.
“Simply, our goal is to meet students where they are. SHSU’s College of Criminal Justice is now offering courses here in the South Texas College Pecan Campus. We also offer education online, and those are in 15 weeks and five weeks. And we'll always welcome students to come up to Huntsville.
But, at the end of the day, a student right here can complete the degree and everything that's required in that degree without ever leaving their home, and that's important.
“With the credit transfer agreement in place, STC students can move seamlessly into our bachelor's program, directly from the associates and the applied associates degree. But I think it's important to recognize the applied associates degree because our law enforcement officers who complete the program here, or existing law enforcement officers, will also have the opportunity to complete our program.”
He added: “We have unique five week online courses that would design an asynchronous format. So if you're working shift work, and you're on the midnight shift, you can't come to a class here or in Huntsville. You can do that online.”
Stender won applause for this.
Another speaker was Dr. Phillip Lyons, dean of the College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University. He said:
“San Diego State University, as you heard, is the leader in criminal justice within the state of Texas, but our leadership role is actually broader than that. We are one of only two freestanding colleges of criminal justice in the United States, the other one being the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. And if the students think Huntsville is a long way away, New York City is alive further.
“But we're pleased to occupy this leadership home. There are about 26 different colleges and universities that confer a baccalaureate degree in criminal justice here for the state of Texas. So if students were evenly distributed across all those programs, we would have about four percent of the market. In fact, we confer 25 percent of all Baccalaureate degrees in criminal justice in Texas.”
Dr. Lyons won applause for this.
“It's hard to go into any criminal justice agency in this state and not see Sam Houston degrees hanging on the wall.
“By way of background, I'm an attorney. A forensic clinical psychologist. I'm the Dean of the College of Criminal Justice. But all of this started for me at my own local community college, through which I attended the police academy and was sworn in on my 19th birthday, literally the first day I could enter the criminal justice field.
“So I have been where your students are, and part of my goal is to ensure that they have a clearer pathway, a more accelerated pathway, that provides them with opportunities.
“This is a target rich environment, when it comes to higher education. There are many institutions nearby that provide students with outstanding opportunities. UTRGV, Texas A&M Kingsville, Corpus Christi. All over the region, there are opportunities aplenty. But when it comes to criminal justice, Sam Houston State University provides opportunities that nobody else does.
“And we're pleased to have the chance to bring those opportunities to the students here in the Valley.”
Editor's Note: Here is a video recording of the comments made from the podium at the South Texas College-Sam Houston State University partnership ribbon-cutting ceremony:
