STC Valley Promise Program celebrates first graduating cohort

MCALLEN, Texas – South Texas College is celebrating its first graduating cohort of Valley Promise scholars this spring, and most recently, hosted a stole ceremony to honor the historic achievement.

Melissa Peña-Montes, director of Valley Promise, said the program to date has served nearly 600 students.

In an exclusive interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Peña-Montes said the program was introduced one year ago as a last-dollar initiative to cover a student’s remaining tuition after all financial aid and scholarships are applied.

She said this ultimately leads to a free education.

In addition to providing free tuition and fee support, the program also includes free coaching and mentoring. “We’re trying to make higher education affordable for our students. We’re trying to transform our region,” Peña-Montes said. 

Here is a video recording of the interview:

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STC President Ricardo J. Solis said it is the aim of the STC administration and its board of trustees to help students transition from high school to college and to break down financial barriers. 

“Our students are our No. 1 priority and we’re grateful that we can provide this unique opportunity to support our students and their dreams. The Valley Promise Program will continue to grow, and our goal, within the next five years, is that every student will have access to a free higher education here at South Texas College,” Solis said, in a press release.

Matt Hebbard is vice president of student affairs and enrollment at STC. He said: “To be celebrating our first graduating cohort is monumental. Our students have done the hard work to get where they are, we’ve simply given them the resources they need.”

Hebbard said Promise programs are growing nationwide.

“There are more than 400 programs that promote free college and we’re doing that right here at STC. Now we’re transforming lives and communities because we believe in our students and their families. We’re going to the next level,” Hebbard said, in a press release.

Editor’s Note: For more information on the Valley Promise Program or to submit your pledge as a Valley Promise scholar before the June 1 deadline, visit valleypromise.org.

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