STC Foundation Provides Well-Rounded Student Assistance

By Amanda Sotelo

Since its inception in 2023, the South Texas College Foundation has focused its efforts on a more holistic approach to student assistance. From scholarships to resources that will break down barriers – the Foundation has already helped more than 2,000 students achieve educational success.

STC Executive Director of Fundraising and External Affairs Marcos Silva said over the last three years, the Foundation has awarded more than $650,000, reaching beyond scholarships, and funding emergency needs such as clothing and transportation and student trips to national leadership conferences and competitions.

“There are a variety of challenges a student can face throughout their educational journey that stretch beyond tuition,” said Silva. “The Foundation is positioned to support and assist our students to thrive and succeed by assisting their needs throughout their time at South Texas College.”

To provide well-rounded assistance, the STC Foundation also recently distributed 300 laptops to students across STC legacy campuses and awarded more than $10,000 to STC’s student food pantries.

“The Foundation is making a positive impact in how we’re supporting our students, and our donors are seeing it,” said Silva. “Our donors are motivated to donate more and encouraging others to donate also.”

Last year, during the Foundation’s annual Gala, its largest fundraising event, title sponsor South Texas Health System (STHS), donated an additional $37,000 to put toward nursing and allied health scholarships, bringing the gala’s total fundraising amount to $187,000.

The additional funds from STHS awarded 113 deserving nursing and allied health students with scholarships to help them complete their degrees. Over the last two years, STHS has donated $98,000 to STC.

With the Foundation’s third annual Gala coming up in October, there is even more help for students on the horizon.

“It is donors and partners like South Texas Health System that make our annual gala and fundraising efforts a success,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs Rodney Rodriguez, Ph.D. “The STC Foundation is growing exponentially, and this means that as we continue to raise funds and expand, that even more students will have access to the help they need.”

One of those students is STC Culinary Arts student Caitlin Cavazos, who recently received a scholarship from the STC Foundation, thanks to STC donors and restaurateurs, Albert and Sonny Rego, owners of Republic of the Rio Grande, Santa Fe Steakhouse and Cantina and University Drafthouse and founders of the Santa Fe Foundation.

“All of the women in my family are self-supporting. We work for what we have and throughout the course of my two-year program, my mother and I have had to

do this alone,” said the Los Fresnos native, who drives one hour each way daily to study. “So, when I found out I had received this scholarship, it was a big relief to know that I could give something back to take the weight off my Mom’s shoulders.”

With a specialization in Baking and Pastry Arts and expected to graduate with an associate degree next year, Cavazos is already working in her chosen profession in San Benito at Reach for the Sky Bake Shop, where she has already been offered a permanent position once she graduates.

Silva said that he looks forward to the future of the STC Foundation and the upcoming Gala. He is excited to continue bringing the community together to help students like Cavazos achieve their dreams.

“Our students’ futures are bright because the future of the Foundation is bright,” he said. “If we can continue coming together to raise funds and find the resources our students need to break barriers, then we will all be better for it. We can’t do this alone.”

For more information on becoming an STC Foundation donor or a sponsor, visit southtexascollege.edu/ foundation.