UTRGV Elevates Agreements Across Valley

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UTRGV Elevates Agreements Across Valley

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UTRGV President Guy Bailey speaks with South Texas ISD students during an event to announce a new dual enrollment program.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey speaks with South Texas ISD students during an event to announce a new dual enrollment program. (Courtesy)

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has agreed to boost its dual credit offerings with an area school district that has campuses throughout the region.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey, seated left, signs a dual enrollment agreement with administrators from the South Texas Independent School District.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey, seated left, signs a dual enrollment agreement with administrators from the South Texas Independent School District. (Courtesy)

The South Texas Independent School District and UTRGV announced this week an expansion of an existing dual credit program. Beginning in 2023, STISD students will be able to take college courses through UTRGV if they plan to attend the Valley’s university. The two educational systems will work together to devise a new version of a dual enrollment program that will begin for the 2023-2024 school year.

“This doesn’t involve a new building,” said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. “It involves all the elements that we have in our collegiate high schools, the preparation toward a particular degree and getting the core curriculum so that you can move forward in a timely manner.”

Direct Connection

The South Texas Independent School District is a magnet school district that is based in Mercedes and has campuses in Cameron and Hidalgo counties.

UTRGV and South Texas ISD this week signed an agreement boosting dual enrollment between the two educational institutions.
UTRGV and South Texas ISD this week signed an agreement boosting dual enrollment between the two educational institutions. (Courtesy)

Its main campus in Mercedes houses the South Texas High School for Health Professions. The district also includes three middle school campuses in Edinburg and San Benito. In more recent years, STISD has opened high school-level campuses and programs in both Olmito and Edinburg. Niche, a school rankings system that is based on reviews from students, parents and teachers, recently rated STISD as the second-best school district in Texas.

The district has a general dual college credit program. The new partnership announced this week provides a more specific connection to UTRGV and will be focused on STISD students who will attend their undergraduate years locally.

Forging Agreements

Bailey and UTRGV have been active recently in strengthening agreements with area educational institutions. It also announced this week a joint admissions agreement with South Texas College. It is called “STC 2 UTRGV” and creates a smoother transition from the community college to UTRGV.

“This takes us to a whole new level,” Bailey said a separate event announcing the new agreement with STC. “This is another step in providing more access for our students in the Rio Grande Valley so they can succeed not just in the present, but also in the future.”

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