Category Archives: Community

STC First In Nation To Offer RN Apprenticeship

Education Featured News Comments
STC RN Apprenticeship Program Announcement

In a historic moment for South Texas College, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, in collaboration with the Texas Workforce Commission, recently announced that the college is the first in the nation to be approved to implement a newly formed Registered Apprenticeship Program in the occupation of Registered Nurse. “This heralds a new era in nursing education and solidifies STC’s standing as a state and national leader in…

Read More

UTRGV/San Benito Link Boosts Growth

Community News Comments
Ramiro Aleman has worked since late 2022 to promote San Benito's central county location as the city's EDC executive director.

Aracely Salinas’ medical uniforms business in San Benito has done well for itself over the last five years, getting established and now hitting a marker where it needs a boost. The San Benito Economic Development Corporation is helping with that aspiration. Salinas is one of 10 participants in a Kauffman FastTrac program, an intensive seven-week course taught by UTRGV instructors at the EDC offices. It’s a nationally acclaimed program that…

Read More

Electrician Program Fills Industry Needs

Education News Comments
STC's electrician technology program has seen steady growth over the last 20 years. (Courtesy)

In 2006, Daniel Sanchez was an aspiring student working his way through South Texas College’s emerging electrician technology program.  There were only about 20 students in the program back then with eight courses and two instructors. Flash forward to the present where Sanchez today is an instructor and program coordinator with more than 100 students enrolled at the McAllen tech campus and branches in Weslaco and Rio Grande City.  The…

Read More

Grant Addresses RGV’s Nursing Shortage

Education Healthcare News Comments
Members of the VIDA team display a symbolic $3 million check representing the organization’s Nursing Expansion Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. (Courtesy)

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that it had selected 25 organizations to receive grants totaling $78 million to “develop professional pathways to nursing.”  The list of recipients includes only one organization in Texas. It’s the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, which is based in Mercedes. A grant of $3 million was awarded to VIDA to help train and develop more nursing professionals in the Rio Grande Valley. …

Read More

McAllen Branches Out With New Trees

Community Featured News Comments
Planting seedlings has become a community event and cause in McAllen. (Courtesy)

The grouping of trees bunched on the frontage road of Bicentennial Boulevard and Expressway 83 are just above sapling size and draw little attention from motorists buzzing by on a busy McAllen intersection. But there they are, breaking up the concrete and urban life of a growing city. They add greenery with the benefits of a sound barrier and deep roots that will absorb stormwater when heavy rains come. McAllen’s…

Read More

City Of McAllen Launches Ask McAllen

Community Government News Comments
Ask McAllen

The City of McAllen now has a new customer service platform, Ask McAllen. The additional customer service tool includes a text message feature and an accessible web chat assistant on the City of McAllen’s website. This new feature is part of the City of McAllen’s well established 3-1-1 Customer Service Call Center and its mobile app. To start a conversation via text message, text the word “Hello” to MC311 (62311).…

Read More

Edinburg Chamber Seeks New Board Member

Community Featured News Comments
Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for a new board member to join the organization. “We are seeking dedicated individuals who are enthusiastic about serving their community and effectively serving our 500+ business members,” stated Ronnie Larralde, executive director of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. Board members are required to adhere to the following criteria: A member or an employee of a business who is a chamber…

Read More

McAllen ISD STRIDES Wins TRA Award

Education Food & Entertainment News Comments
(photo McAllen ISD Facebook)

The McAllen ISD STRIDES Program is the inaugural winner of the Texas Restaurant Association’s Innovation in Excellence Award. The award serves to recognize individuals, groups or organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of culinary and hospitality education. According to TRA, the award is a “celebration of those who have dedicated themselves to improving the education experience for both students and teachers and demonstrated…

Read More

Arts Studio Offers Everything ‘Under One Roof’

Arts e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
An indoor mural highlights the diversity of arts programs offered at the RGV Arts Studio.

A view across the social media presence of the Rio Grande Valley Arts Studio reaffirms its founder’s assertion of having everything “all under one roof.” There’s a “beach dance camp” to go with galleries of colors featuring the artwork of children. There are photos of teenage girls immersed in a sewing workshop in preparing for a fashion show. Little ballerinas in another image are in poses they just took during…

Read More

Another Statewide First For South Texas College

Education Featured News Comments
The South Texas College Centers for Learning Excellence is the first in the state to be certified for its online services by the Association of Colleges for Tutoring and Learning Assistance

The South Texas College Centers for Learning Excellence is the first in the state to be certified for its online services by the Association of Colleges for Tutoring and Learning Assistance. The national organization works to improve tutorial programs and related services among organizations across the country dedicated to college and university learning assistance or developmental education. The organization’s mission is to foster and promote racial and socioeconomic equity in…

Read More