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UTRGV, TSTC Sign Historic Collaborative Agreement
- Updated: August 28, 2015
by Eladio Jaimez/Special to Los Fresnos News
HARLINGEN, TEXAS – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Texas State Technical College in Harlingen on Aug. 17 signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will facilitate the transfer of credits and courses from TSTC to UTRGV.
The signing comes on the heels of a similar MOU between UTRGV and South Texas College on Aug. 10.
The TSTC event was held at the University Center on the TSTC campus. Under the agreement, students completing their Academic Core at TSTC or other associate of science degrees can seamlessly transfer to UTRGV.
Dr. Guy Bailey, founding president of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, on Aug. 17, 2015, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, along with Harlingen TSTC Provost Dr. Stella Garcia. The agreement will allow students who take courses at TSTC to experience a smooth transfer when moving on to programs and courses at UTRGV. Photo: UTRGV/David Pike.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said this partnership is evidence of UTRGV’s commitment to working with other learning institutions in the Valley for the sake of students and the community.
“We’re part of a higher education system down here, and we don’t stand alone,” Bailey said. “And what these students have set out to accomplish is a testimony to the work that we do.”
TSTC Vice President of Student Learning Dr. Rebecca Silva said the signing is the start of a long and strong relationship between the two institutions of higher learning.
“This is a great opportunity for us to provide advanced degrees for many of our students in this area,” Silva said. “This partnership will help contribute to the economic vitality of the Rio Grande Valley, and these students will become role models in their homes to other family members.”
Students who have completed 42 semester credit hours at TSTC will not be required to take additional courses at UTRGV to meet the Texas Core Curriculum requirements.
UTRGV also offers master’s and doctoral degrees as a partner through the University Center.
Dr. Stella Garcia, TSTC provost, said the signing of this partnership will give students in the area access to quality higher education.
“There are benefits in terms of economy because they’ll pay less tuition with us,” Garcia said. “We have smaller classrooms, so there are benefits in terms of quality of education, as well. But it’s mostly beneficial because students now have options, and those that didn’t have access to higher education now have that access.”
Lisa Marie Garza, who currently serves as vice president of the TSTC Student Government Association, already has completed her Academic Core and is working toward her Associate of Applied Science degree in Education and Training. She plans eventually to transfer to UTRGV.
“I fell in love with TSTC and it’s given me what I need to transfer to UTRGV and pursue my bachelor’s and master’s,” she said.