Student Veterans of America / South Texas College

Thursday, November 7th! Join Texas Regional Bank as they honor Veterans Day with a special celebration 🇺🇸

The event will feature notable veterans from our community, including Sergeant Francisco Barrientes and Colonel Frank Plummer, with remarks by former McAllen mayor Jim Darling. Let’s come together to celebrate and show our gratitude to those who have served 🎉

Calling all STC student veterans! This academic year’s Binational Education Symposium is a unique chance for you to share your research and experiences as a student veteran with an international audience. Led by our own veteran faculty member, Jose Olivares-Alarcon, this event invites presentations in the humanities, sciences, or business and technology. Consider incorporating your unique perspective as a veteran!

Presentations are 30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute Q&A. Ready to make your voice heard? Submit your proposal today! 👇

https://www.southtexascollege.edu/info/bes/index.html

The STC Veterans Affairs department would like to thank Ms. Dulces Casso from Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) for her continued support of our veterans! This time, she was joined by Ms. Ivelirne Hernandez, a new work-study who is currently training. Iverline brings her expertise as a Math and Spanish tutor and is already assisting veterans with their VUB applications!

We were also happy to welcome Ms. Nora Max from Goodwill Veterans Services, who stopped by to introduce herself and discuss future collaborative efforts. It was great to have both organizations here at the same time, working together to assist our veterans with education and job placement services.

We look forward to the return of Ms. Casso, Ms. Hernandez, and Ms. Max as they continue enhancing the lives of our veterans 🇺🇸

Servicemember Spotlight: Carol Ramirez, Proud STC Student, Staff Member, and Veteran

Carol Ramirez served in the United States Navy for six years, from 2014 to 2020, as an AZ – Aviation Maintenance Administrator. During her service, she performed technical, managerial, and support duties on C-2A Greyhounds, preparing aircraft and maintenance-related correspondence, as well as managing directive control and custody records required by the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP).

Before joining the Navy, Carol worked part-time at the STC Library. After her service, she returned to STC and currently works as an Administrative Assistant in the Social & Behavioral Sciences Division office, alongside Dr. Eric Reittinger, another Navy veteran. The division oversees programs in Child Development, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Psychological Science, Social Sciences, Education, and Kinesiology. Carol describes it as a great place to work, noting that each time she has worked for the college, it has provided a supportive environment and opportunities for learning.

Prior to her Navy service, Carol earned an AAS in Mathematics from South Texas College. After completing her service, she returned once again to STC, where she earned a BAS in Computer and Information Technology, proudly decorated as a veteran.

Carol considers STC to be the foundation of her growth and will always remember its significant impact on her journey.

The STC Office of Student Veteran Affairs was proud to participate in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's World Mental Health day event at South Texas College! Along with a powerful gallery of masks painted by STC students and a mental health awareness panel discussion, we provided flyers and pamphlets from the McAllen Vet Center and VA, offering vital mental health resources for veterans. Thank you for inviting us to be part of such an important event!

Had a great time at this month’s Veterans Coalition meeting, hosted by the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. It was a great opportunity to reconnect and strengthen partnerships with key veteran-serving organizations. At the end of the meeting, there was even a small raffle, and one of our Certifying Officials won a prize!

Looking forward to next month’s gathering, which will feature a potluck and mark one year of our representation in the Veterans Coalition!

Looking for a way to make a difference and earn community or volunteer hours? Concerned Veterans for America, a non-profit organization, is seeking volunteers for weekly phone banking sessions! Help support their grassroots mission and see if CVA is the right fit for you. Food and drinks provided! Call 956-917-7128 for more details and join us in making an impact.

The American Legion Post 408 has extended this invitation to all veterans and veteran supporters to join them this evening for discussion on Healthcare Reform for veterans, the importance of strong foreign policy, protecting national interest, and other policies. This discussion will be hosted by Concerned Veterans for America.

Feel welcome to stop by, food and refreshments will be provided.

Location: American Legion Post 408 - 4605 S. Closner, Edinburg, TX 78539
Date: Wednesday, October 9th, 2024
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

This morning, members of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) at South Texas College attended a meeting organized by the STC Office of Student Activities and Wellness. Student club officers Sierra and Carlos, who are veteran beneficiaries, were present to represent the chapter.

The meeting provided club advisors and student officers with a comprehensive understanding of their roles and responsibilities, helping to guide the SVA in advancing its mission. The team gained valuable insights into fundraising, donations, and resource utilization, ensuring the chapter is well-prepared for the opportunities ahead.

The SVA chapter at South Texas College is open to everyone—veterans, beneficiaries, and general supporters alike. All are welcome to join and contribute to our mission. Stay tuned for future updates on club meetings, fundraisers, and upcoming activities. Exciting opportunities are on the horizon!

"This has been one of the best meetings we’ve [RGV Veterans Coalition] had because STC’s leadership has demonstrated their commitment to progress. It’s clear that STC is fully dedicated to providing any assistance possible and is truly bringing their A-game. STC is setting the standard for what veteran support should look like in the RGV."

- Retired Army Sergeant Major Clifford Lovejoy, veteran mentor and 9/11 survivor

STC leads the way in veteran support STC took center stage at the most recent RGV Veterans Coalition meeting by hosting it for the first time, giving veterans from across the region the opportunity to explore the educational resources and benefits available at STC.

This afternoon, our office was honored to attend the 33rd Hidalgo County Veterans Treatment Court graduation, a testament to the unwavering support and second chances provided to those who’ve served. We were privileged to hear a moving invocation from STC’s very own Dr. Matthew Hebbard, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Dr. Hebbard’s words celebrated the strength of our veterans, the power of this program to course-correct lives, and paid tribute to his parents, both of whom proudly served in the military.

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Honorable Judge Israel Ramon for inviting us to attend this graduation and for his continued leadership in this program. Having had the honor of serving as panel members, it was a privilege to witness once again the profound impact this program has on the lives of our veterans. We’d also like to thank District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios for taking the time to attend and for being a huge supporter of this initiative.

🎥 Vietnam - Fifty Years Later: A College-Wide Film Series 🇺🇸

The STC Library, History, and Liberal Arts Departments invite you to a thought-provoking film series reflecting on the Vietnam War and its lasting impact, fifty years later. This series, open to the public, will feature films, talks, and special events throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.

📅 Check out the flyer for the Fall schedule of events!
🎙 Vietnam War veterans are also invited to share their experiences, give talks, or participate in interviews and podcasts. If you or someone you know would like to get involved, please contact Heather Bobrowicz at [email protected].

The South Texas College Office of Student Veteran Affairs is collaborating with the office of Congresswoman Monica de la Cruz on a groundbreaking initiative: making STC the first institution in the region to place student veterans in congressional district offices through the VA work-study program. We’d like to thank the Deputy District Director, Mr. Patrick Roberts, for taking the time to meet today as we work toward this exciting opportunity!

Our goal is to have this program ready by Spring 2025.

The last few weeks have been intense, juggling day-to-day operations while organizing the largest veteran-centric event STC has seen in years. But it all paid off today while hosting the Rio Grande Valley Veterans Coalition!

In addition, we invited South Texas College staff, faculty, and administration who previously served in the military to join us for this special event. We had an incredible turnout! This was a huge opportunity for our office to showcase the variety of veterans initiatives we've been working on, as well as to share projects currently in the works.

We were honored by the presence of several members of STC administration, including STC President Dr. Ricardo Solis, Vice Presidents Dr. Rodney H. Rodriguez and Dr. Matthew Hebbard, as well as a surprise appearance from McAllen Mayor, Javier Villalobos! We’re hopeful this marks the beginning of hosting the coalition on an annual basis. Thank you to everyone who made this day a success!

The Student Veterans of America (SVA) Chapter at South Texas College was out at today’s club fair, connecting with students who are passionate about veteran support initiatives. Whether you’re a veteran, a beneficiary, or simply a supporter, everyone is welcome to join the SVA!

Yesterday, STC made its debut participation in the Laguna Madre Vet Fest in Port Isabel, Texas. It was a great opportunity to connect with veterans and their families, offering valuable information about the education benefits available to them 👨‍🎓

We were excited to host a raffle, where we gave away a specially curated gift bag, adding an extra layer of fun to the day. We hope to see everyone again next year! 🇺🇸

We’d like to give a heartfelt shoutout to our amazing friend Yesenia at the Tomas Garces National Guard Armory for donating a massive amount of school supplies to our office. From notebooks, folders, markers, and highlighters to other essential stationery, we’ve got you covered! Stop by the Pecan Campus STC Office of Student Veteran Affairs and grab what you need to start the semester off strong.

Yesenia even donated several boxes of crayons, including the limited edition Fruit Loop variety 🖍️ Our Marines are going to love these!

This morning, the STC Office of Student Veterans Affairs proudly participated in the first annual Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) Veteran Health & Resource Fair. We had the opportunity to distribute swag bags, share information on veteran education benefits, and enjoy some delicious burgers 🍔

As a friendly reminder, the September RGV Veterans Coalition gathering will be held at the STC Pecan Campus Ballroom on Friday, September 13th 👻

Attention NAH Students: Are you a Veteran or a Veteran Spouse/Dependent? The McAllen Vet Center is seeking work studies to assist with daily operations! Located just a five-minute walk from the Nursing and Allied Health Campus, this opportunity is not only rewarding but also extremely convenient for students enrolled in one of the nursing programs.

Apply today and make a difference while gaining valuable experience!

🔥 From the Ashes, the Phoenix Rises! 🔥

On August 27th, STC VA Certifying Officials will be attending the Veterans Health and Resource Fair organized by Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC). This exciting event will be taking place at the newly built Brookhaven Event Center, the site where Matt's Building Materials once stood before it was tragically destroyed by a massive fire on New Year's Day, 2022.

The owners, who are huge supporters of veterans and veterans initiatives, have lent the space to CPLC to host this event for the veteran community at large. Don’t miss this chance to connect with us and discover valuable resources!

📅 Date: August 27th, 2024
🕒 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍 Location: Brookhaven Event Center

Spread the word and let's make the most of this opportunity together. We'll see you there!