McAllen resident Rebecca Gutierrez always had career goals, but barricades kept getting in her way. “It was always financial challenges of either paying bills or paying for school,” Gutierrez said. “I was not able to do both, at times.” Gutierrez is a Valley native. She is also one of six children who witnessed their parents perform the grueling labor only migrant farm workers know. “My parents both worked hard for…
The City of McAllen is preparing for this year’s McAllen Independence Day Celebration taking place July 4. The city, along with presenter by H-E-B, is inviting the community to take part in all of the patriotic festivities. The 94th annual Independence Day Celebration includes an early morning patriotic program, the Main Street Parade and the Freedom Festival in Archer Park, 101 North Main Street. Music, food and games will be…
More than one-third of all South Texas College graduates who will walk across the stage for commencement are already employed or have jobs waiting for them once the celebrating is over, according to STC leadership. Announcing the latest graduation numbers at the college’s first-ever Workforce Summit on May 5, STC President Ricardo J. Solis said the graduate figures are proof that the college’s role is increasing. He also says the…
UTRGV has been included in The Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine’s first-ever list of the top 10 schools in the country for Hispanics/Latinos in STEM careers. The ranking is based on the number of graduate degrees granted to Hispanics/Latinos in the eight STEM fields. These degrees include all master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Hispanic Outlook ranks UTRGV: No. 5 – Top 10 Schools for Mathematics and Statistics (Graduate Degrees, 2019-20). No. 7…
Beginning this week, UTRGV faculty are offering a free, six-week training in American Sign Language to first responders from Brownsville, Edinburg and McAllen at the municipal police departments. Those in the training include police officers, fire fighters, medical first responders and other emergency personnel. Brian Cheslik, assistant professor and program coordinator for the American Sign Language and Interpretation degree program at UTRGV, said the training will help bridge the communication…
McAllen is the recipient of another accolade for the benefits it provides its residents; this time, those on a budget. According to GoBankingRates.com, McAllen ranks number one in the south for anyone planning to retire on Social Security alone. The financial website conducted the survey, finding that half of the list includes cities in Texas, with other cities from Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. “This is such good news for many…
The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded two Jobs and Education for Texans grants to support career training in the Cameron County area. TWC awarded Harlingen CISD $332,500 to help the school purchase and install a fire training simulator to initially train 130 students for careers in firefighting. The agency awarded Brownsville ISD $329,060 to buy welding equipment to initially train 130 students for careers in welding. The equipment funded through these grants will…
McAllen ISD is receiving recognition for its attention to fitness and health with the recent awarding of a state award from It’s Time Texas Community Challenge. For the second straight year, the district finished first in the Medium School District category across the state in the annual health challenge. McAllen ISD earned nearly 2.4 million points. In addition, the City of McAllen was also recognized after it took first in…
During National Stroke Awareness Month, the South Texas Health System Neurosciences and Stroke Institute presents Steps for Stroke May 21-27. The community competition raises awareness of the warning signs of stroke while educating the community of ways to reduce risks of having one. During the virtual week-long challenge, participants will commit to run, walk or even dance their way to a minimum of 10,000 steps per day and 50,000 steps…
5×5 Brewing Co. will host a Border Security Appreciation Benefit Concert on May 13, featuring the Creed Fisher Band. The evening, complete with live music, cold beer and a food truck park, benefits the Javier Vega Jr. Foundation Inc. Doors open at 6 p.m. at brewery, located at 801 Bryan Road in Mission. Citing recent events moral, organizers paired up with Veturo Intrest LLC and Longhorn Services to put on…