MCALLEN, Texas - South Texas College ranks first in the Washington Monthly’s new Best Hispanic-Serving Two-Year Institutions league table.
“The number one performer is South Texas College, a community college in the Rio Grande Valley with an overwhelmingly Hispanic student body—95 percent. Students pay a staggeringly low $1,414 a year, net of aid, and more than a third are on Pell Grants,” Washington Monthly editor Rob Wolfe wrote.
“In 2022, South Texas College celebrated its high performance in a ranking from Excelencia of schools that enroll and graduate Latinos.”
Matthew Hebbard, STC’s vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, is quoted in Washington Monthly’s coverage on the new rankings.
“Being an HSI is more than just a designation for STC, it’s our identity; it’s who we are,” Hebbard said.
“The school focuses heavily on student support services for its many first-generation and ESL students, as well as on hands-on vocational training, including at partner universities in Mexico that prepare students for manufacturing jobs,” Wolfe added.
Schools such as STC “offer many concrete lessons about the kinds of programs that best serve Hispanic students,” according to Washington Monthly.
“Crucially, they aren’t limited to one part of college. Our number two four-year school, UT–Rio Grande Valley, boasts a comprehensive strategy that includes “Tuition Advantage,” a program that pays tuition and fees for students with family incomes under $125,000; a dual credit program with several area high schools; and a robust international student services department for its Latin American undergraduates.”
The magazine said: “One of Excelencia in Education’s regular awards is the ‘Examples of Excelencia,’ four programs chosen from dozens around the country as a model for what works. They include a wide range of programs, from student support services to language instruction to academic skills classes to scholarships and recruiting initiatives meant to boost access to college.”
Ricardo Solis, president of STC, said: “This ranking affirms STC’s commitment to providing access, opportunity and excellence for the students and communities we serve. As a proud HSI, our goal is to always empower our Hispanic population, and all students, with the education, skills and innovation needed to transform their lives and our region. On behalf of STC’s administration and Board of Trustees, we are deeply honored that STC has been recognized as No. 1.”
STC, with a Hispanic student population of 95%, boasts a Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education, earning a recertification from the national, nonprofit organization in 2022 and a ranking for its high performance in serving a large Hispanic population, being named the No. 3 college nationwide and No. 1 in Texas for enrolling and graduating Latinos.
STC has also been recognized for fostering partnerships across the border with its neighbors in Mexico, providing education and training to schools and factories.
“I live by the philosophy of always going beyond our expectations and goals and at STC, we surpass what is expected of us,” said STC Trustee and Board Chair Alejo Salinas Jr., Ph.D. “It is also the efforts of our faculty and staff to work beyond their limits to help students succeed that keeps STC competitive and on the national map. All of this and more makes up the solid foundation that STC is built on…that is what makes us No. 1.”
Solis shares Salinas’ sentiment.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, and together we will continue to set the standard for higher education in the RGV and beyond,” said Solis.
