The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) recently announced the recipients of its annual Regional Awards for community college trustees, equity programs, chief executive officers, faculty members, and professional board staff members.
Texas Southmost College (TSC) President Jesús Roberto Rodríguez was named winner of the 2023 Western Regional CEO Award by ACCT.
The national award is only one of five bestowed annually to CEOs by the organization, one for each of its five regions across the United States and Canada.
As the winner of the Western Regional CEO award, Rodríguez was selected from a pool of nominees from ten U.S. states and five Canadian provinces/territories. The ten U.S. states were Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. The Canadian provinces/territories were Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut Territory, and Northern Territories.
The 2023 ACCT Awards program was sponsored by Edamerica.
“The roles and responsibilities of community colleges have increased considerably in recent years,” said ACCT Chair and South Texas College Trustee Rose Benavidez. “The individuals who have been selected to receive this important recognition are truly vital to their communities and regions.”
“ACCT’s member colleges and the individuals who serve them work tirelessly, often with little recognition,” said ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on some of the nation’s best public servants and professionals through our regional awards program.”
TSCBoard of Trustees Chairwoman Adela Garza said Rodríguez was recognized for his exceptional work in initiating or helping to develop innovative programs as models for use in two-year postsecondary institutions.
“Since our Board of Trustees unanimously named Dr. Rodríguez President of Texas Southmost College six years ago, he has achieved exceptional results by increasing enrollment, student success, and community partnerships, as well as working in unison with the Trustees to ensure TSC remains the most affordable institution of higher education in the Rio Grande Valley,” Garza told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.
“At the same time, he has participated in initiatives that are making a great impact at the state level and is actively engaged at the national level. We are very proud that he has been recognized by ACCT for his outstanding leadership.”
Garza said Rodríguez’s nomination highlighted innovative programs designed and implemented as a result of his leadership and expertise. By way of example, Garza pointed to the enrollment growth of TSC during during the height of the COVID‐19 pandemic. She noted that TSC was one of only nine percent of institutions of higher education nationally whose enrollment grew during the pandemic.
“I am very honored by this award, which is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Scorpion Family,” Rodríguez said. “The TSC Board of Trustees leads the way by establishing a vision and strategic priorities for the college. I then have the great pleasure of working alongside highly talented faculty and staff who are fully committed to our mission of transforming communities.”
Rodríguez said that the wide range of academic and workforce programs at TSC are designed to serve the entire family. He said maintaining a student-centered focus has resulted in providing a high-quality, affordable education, offered in an environment that is welcoming and one that provides a sense of belonging to all.
About Texas Southmost College
Originally established in 1926, Texas Southmost College currently offers the first two years toward a bachelor’s degree, along with career and technical education leading to certificates and associate degrees, college preparatory studies to prepare students for college-level work, workforce training, and continuing education. TSC offers 50 programs of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.
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