South Texas College (STC), the only college to have been legislatively mandated by the Texas Legislature, was created in 1993 due to an overwhelming and compelling need to serve over 600,000 residents in Hidalgo and Starr counties who did not have access to a community college. The college has a difficult and important role in the community because many of its students are not only first generation college students but are also first generation high school graduates. It's location-in a low income community-means that many students face numerous hurdles in their attempt to attain a degree.
From its very inception STC has worked to build bonds of mutual support with the surrounding community. It has participated in numerous focus groups to identify the continuing education needs of the community, and it participated in the Summit on College Readiness. Many of these initiatives proved fruit-bearing and led to successful bond issues, identification of strategies for student success, and formation of partnerships with local school districts.
In the future STC is aiming to partner with like-minded local agencies to expand the discussion of education-related issues in McAllen. Hopefully, this will lead to both improved retention rates and expanded access for students. This collaborative approach to community engagement and leadership is seen the right tool for STC to utilize in affecting institutional improvement and positive community change.
About South Texas College
South Texas College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Bachelor of Applied Technology, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. STC has an enrollment of more than 18,000 students with a faculty and staff of 1,700 working across five campuses.
Associate Degrees and Certificates
The college offers more than 90 degree and certificate program options, including associate degrees in a variety of art, science, technology and allied health fields of study. New for fall 2007 are online associate degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice and Social Sciences.
Bachelor of Applied Technology
STC offers a Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) degree in Technology Management, which prepares students for supervisory careers in technology. The college is one of only three Texas community colleges accredited to offer this degree. A BAT degree in Computer and Information Technologies is pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Dual Enrollment Opportunities
STC offers dual enrollment programs with high schools throughout Hidalgo and Starr counties. The programs allow eligible students to take college courses while attending high school. More than 4,000 students are currently enrolled in the program.
The college has also developed two intensive academic programs for students interested in pursuing degrees in the medical and engineering fields. The Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA) and the Dual Enrollment Engineering Academy (DEEA) consist of concentrated two-year programs of study and internship opportunities for qualified students to pursue an Associate of Science degree during their junior and senior years in high school.
Business and Industry Training
The college's Partnership for Business and Industry Training offers employers customized training that will upgrade the skills of current employees and prepare new employees for a variety of industries.
Continuing and Professional Education
The program provides opportunities for lifelong learners to upgrade their skills, change careers or seek personal enrichment.
Articulation Agreements
For those students who wish to continue their education beyond an associate's degree, STC has more than 60 articulation agreements in place with colleges across the country. Following is a sampling of colleges with formal agreements with STC:
 | Georgetown University University of Houston - Clear Lake | ||
| Midwestern State University University of North Texas - Denton | ||
| Texas A&M University - College Station University of Texas - Arlington | ||
| Texas A&M University - Kingsville University of Texas - Brownsville | ||
| Texas State University - San Marcos University of Texas - Pan American | ||
| Texas Tech University University of Texas - San Antonio |
About the Faculty
With 428 full-time and 228 adjunct instructors, STC's faculty is among the most qualified at any community college in the nation. There are 384 faculty members with master's degrees, 46 hold double master's, five hold triple master's and 79 have doctorate degrees. In certificate and other programs, there are 97 faculty members holding bachelor degrees and 44 with associate degrees.
Vital Statistics
| More than 75% of student population are first in family to attend college | ||
| More than 95% of students are Hispanic | ||
| More than 60% of students are female | ||
| More than 75% of students (does not include dual enrollment students) are | ||
| More than 35% of students go on to immediately pursue a bachelor's degree | ||
| An average of 26 students to each faculty member |