After twenty-six years as the one and only president of South Texas College, Dr. Shirley A. Reed announced her retirement effective January 4, 2021. Dr. Reed began serving as the president of South Texas College, formerly South Texas Community College, shortly after the college was created in 1993.
STC is one of CTN’s founding colleges. “Dr. Reed has been with us since 2011 as we planned the creation of the CTN program,” commented CNT CEO, Maria Chavez. “She took a leap of faith and helped get other colleges to join our initiative.” Last year Dr. Reed won the CTN Luminary award with this inscription “These torches lead the way; they become beacons illuminating a pathway.”
Under Dr. Reed’s leadership, STC has grown from the initial enrollment of about 1,200 students to over 30,000 today. The college offers more than 100 degree and certificate program options, including associate degrees in a variety of art, science, technology and allied health fields of study. The college also offers two Bachelor of Applied Technology degrees.
STC was recognized as No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the U.S. for enrolling Hispanic undergraduates, in addition to being No. 1 nationwide for associate degrees awarded to Latinos in STEM fields by Excelencia in Education. “It’s about giving an opportunity where one didn’t exist,” explained Dr. Reed. “I knew first-hand what a community college could do for someone who thought they didn’t have any choices.
“She never ceased to amaze me with her knowledge of what was going on in the different departments, her vision for what she wanted to do for the students, for the college,” said former college Trustee Graciela Farias, who served on the board from 2012 to 2018. “She made STC what it is today,” Farias said. “STC has an awesome reputation as an institution of higher learning. And it’s through her efforts.” (https://www.krgv)
In her retirement announcement, Dr. Reed said, “I am so very proud of what we have done together. South Texas College was founded to address profound needs in our communities: high unemployment and low educational attainment contributed to generational poverty for many families throughout the Valley. Over nearly three decades, we have disrupted poverty; through workforce and academic programs, we have helped thousands of families break cycles of poverty.” “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your founding president. Together, we have built an institution, and a team, that stands among the best in the nation,” she added.