Author Archives: VBR

UTRGV Named ‘2024 Great College to Work For’

UTRGV

UTRGV is one of the best places to work in higher education, according to the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For program. The results are based on a survey of 216 colleges and universities. Only 75 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies, placing UTRGV among a select group of top-performing schools in the country. UTRGV competes in the large university (more than…

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McAllen Police Department Seeks Officers

McAllen Police Department

The McAllen Police Department is looking to hire motivated individuals who desire a career in public safety and want to make a difference in their community as police officers. Individuals looking for an opportunity to earn a competitive salary with benefits and are able to perform at a professional level should apply at the City of McAllen website. Benefits include a retirement system, paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave,…

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STISD & TSTC Partner for Welding Program

TSTC Welding Technology

Thanks to a new partnership, high school students from South Texas Independent School District’s Science Academy in Mercedes can now participate in a dual credit program in Welding Technology with Texas State Technical College. “The dual credit program pairs well with our hands-on approach to the engineering program of study,” said Vanessa Rivera, the school district’s career and technical education director. “We encourage our students to learn and earn stackable credentials…

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TSTC Electrical Lineworker Program Ranks Best in U.S.

TSTC Electrical Lineworker program

According to College Factual, Texas State Technical College has the Best Lineworker Associate Degree School in the United States for 2024.  College Factual, according to its website, was created to help students research colleges and careers. It gathers data from public and private sources, including the U.S. Department of Education.  “TSTC’s Abilene campus is home to the newest Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program, offering students a top-tier education with…

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McAllen Hires New Finance Director

David R. Vasquez

The City of McAllen has hired David R. Vasquez as its new director of finance. The Rio Grande Valley native has 13 years of experience in municipal work, serving most recently as the finance director for the City of Donna. Vasquez has a broad range of expertise in finance, including both serving as a senior finance analyst for Valley Baptist Health System and an accounting supervisor for Amigos del Valle…

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Port’s FTZ Ranks Top 3 in Exports Nationwide

The Port of Brownsville’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 (photo Port of Brownsville)

In its 85th Annual Report of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board to Congress, published Aug. 28, the Port of Brownsville’s FTZ No. 62 ranked third in the nation marking a 12-year-consecutive streak the value of exports at $7 billion. For the first time, FTZ No. 62 broke through the Top 20 list for the value of imports, ranking 14th with $3.2 billion worth of commodities imported. “Our foreign trade zone is an…

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RGV LEAD Connects Industry and Educational Leaders

RGV LEAD

Linking Economic and Academic Development (RGV LEAD) will host the State of Education and Industry on Sept. 24, providing a platform for collaboration, discussion of Valley-area current and future workforce needs, and a showcase of partnerships that have a direct impact on students’ upward mobility. For more than 30 years, RGV LEAD has connected industry and educational leaders to address the workforce demands of the Rio Grande Valley. Our mission…

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STC Foundation To Host Annual Gala

Foundation Chair Bonnie Gonzalez addresses STC sponsors and donors during last year's inaugural Foundation Gala. (photo STC)

Since the inception of the South Texas College Foundation last year, it has given back nearly $500,000 to students in scholarships and funds to help create a college-going culture, especially among first-generation students, thanks to community sponsors and donors. With its second annual Foundation Gala on Oct. 16, the nonprofit organization is on the hunt for sponsors and donors at all levels, to help make this year’s event a success.…

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UTRGV Ranked No. 1 Texas University Again

UTRGV

For the second consecutive year, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been recognized as the No. 1 university in Texas, according to the latest Washington Monthly college guide and rankings. Recognized as a top-performing institution of higher education in the state among all institutions – private and public – UTRGV took the lead in the 2024 rankings. Texas A&M University came in second and Rice University, third. “We…

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BCIC Scores Five More International Accolades

Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is the recipient of five prestigious awards from the 2024 International Economic Development Council Excellence Awards. With these additional awards, BCIC is now the most awarded economic development organization in Rio Grande Valley history. BCIC will receive recognition at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference in Denver, Colo. taking place Sept. 15-18. The Excellence in Economic Development Awards program covered 26 categories, scored by 163 judges.…

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