Rebecca M. De Leon, Vice President of Dual Enrollment and School District Partnerships, recently shared insights from her role and the transformative power of dual enrollment programs. De Leon, who benefited from dual enrollment by taking 13 hours of classes, highlighted the impact of such opportunities, especially for immigrant and first-generation students in the Rio Grande Valley. She credits South Texas College and its partnerships with high schools across the valley for providing access to free college education to those who might otherwise find it unattainable.
The initiative, spearheaded by Nick Gonzales, aimed to extend opportunities Gonzales himself never had, focusing on changing lives through education and empowering the youth of the Rio Grande Valley. Dual enrollment programs have particularly benefited low-income and first-generation students, offering them a pathway to higher education without the financial burden.
De Leon and Gonzales’s work serves as a reminder of the value of education and the importance of seizing opportunities. Students are encouraged to appreciate this unique chance to advance their lives and the lives of their families, reminding them of the dedication that has been invested in their future.