RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas - Texas A&M University is in talks with Starr County about how to provide students with transportation to and from its higher education center in McAllen.
The talks started at a Starr County Industrial Foundation event held at South Texas College’s campus in Rio Grande City. The event was titled: “SCIF Talks Presents: The Crucial Role of Higher Education as a Catalyst for Economic Development.”
There were two panelists: Ricardo Solis, president of STC, and Manuel “Manny” Vela, vice president and chief operating officer of Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen. The moderator was Julian Alvarez, senior vice president of Lone Star National Bank.
Without knowing it, Alvarez got the discussion rolling when he asked Vela what his one wish for the community would be.
Vela responded: “The challenge that we have at the center is it is a commuter school. We do not offer dorm facilities. We have very few amenities. We are a start-up basically. And so, my wish is that any students from Starr County who want to participate at Texas A&M would be able to do so at will.”
Vela said Texas A&M’s McAllen center does have students from Starr County.
“Two of them graduated through our program last night and I could not be more proud,” Vela said, to warm applause from the audience.
“This the reality, it is a commuter school. These are students who are willing to drive to campus anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, even an hour and a half away, every time that they have class. A lot of these students come from one car families, let's face it. That is the demographic of our families down here, that we're working with,” Vela said.
“Think about the commitment and dedication it takes from the students. They get dropped off in the morning when their car is available before that car is needed (for other things). And they don't get picked up ‘til the very end of the day when that car is available.”
Vela said that when he sees the students getting dropped off by their parents it is inspiring.
“I watch them come into our building and it inspires me tremendously. It motivates me to want to make sure we're doing everything we can to support their dreams,” Vela said.
“So, if I had my wish, it would be… whether it be a bus or a speed rail of some kind from Starr County to the center in north McAllen. But that would be my wish: that anybody from the community in Starr County who had the desire to take Texas A&M classes, to attend the center, that would make me the most proud person in the world. If we can even make a dent in that I am proud but that would be the ideal.”
During the Q&A portion of the discussion, Starr County Judge Eloy Vera had a suggestion for Vela.
“You were talking about getting our students to the (McAllen) higher education) facility. Some years back, we had the same problem with STC. We didn't have as many classes as we do now. So, some of our students had to go to the McAllen or Weslaco campuses. So, we partnered up with Valley Metro and they furnished the transportation for free for our students, and now they're able to go all the way from Roma to McAllen or the Weslaco campus. Maybe we could explore something like that for A&M,” Vera said.
Vela responded: “I am there, Judge. That's a great idea. We're actually looking at a hiring two bus drivers right now. But we have very limited opportunities or options related to transportation. We have a minibus that seats 14 people, but it's on the radar for that exact reason. But I love that thought and I might be reaching out to you if that's okay with you. Anytime we can sit down… I would love to dive in and see what opportunities exist because that will help. I think that will help so many students who currently go (to the McAllen campus). It would open the door even wider for students who want to participate but can't for that reason.”
