English professor wins award, inspires through storytelling

South Texas College (STC) English Instructor Thomas Ray Garcia recently received a 2024 Bronze Award at the 26th International Latino Book Awards in Los Angeles, California for his debut collection of short stories in English titled, “The River Runs.”

“Winning this award is an incredible honor,” Garcia said. “More than that, it’s a testament to the stories of the Rio Grande Valley. These are the stories that deserve to be shared and celebrated. As an educator, my goal is to show students that their experiences and stories have meaning and worth, both in literature and in life.”

Garcia, a first-generation college graduate, credits his upbringing on the border of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) as his greatest inspiration, which drove his return home to empower students as a faculty member at the college.

Growing up in a low-income area and a home without books or formal mentorship, his journey to higher education began as a high school student from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) North, where he first navigated the challenges of the college admissions process.

“I didn’t become academically inclined until I was a freshman at PSJA North,” Garcia shared. “I grew up with a single mother in a low-income area and I essentially had no mentor, but my mom really wanted me to attend college so I did what many first-generation students do, I figured it out. So, I began doing research and realized that I could go to Princeton if I worked hard enough.”

Empowered to change his narrative, Garcia was accepted to Princeton University on a full-need scholarship, graduating in 2016 with a degree in English. He later earned master’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

“While studying at Princeton, I was surrounded by people who loved to learn, they were intellectually curious and it made me reflect and grapple on what kind of reader and writer I am,” Garcia explained. “Eventually, I felt empowered to share stories about the realities of living on the border. I began writing, story after story.”

Garcia’s dedication to education extends beyond the classroom through his nonprofit, the College Scholarship Leadership Access Program (CSLAP), which he founded to guide first-generation students through the college application process, a struggle he faced as a teenager.

“With over a decade of CSLAP, I’ve been able to bear witness to so many success stories from students in our region,” Garcia said. “I feel very fortunate that I am now at the receiving end of a pathway we’ve worked hard to open up for students. Being able to teach at the college and after receiving this award, truly affirms the work I am committed to doing.”

Now as an instructor, Garcia says his teaching centers around inclusivity and the power of representation. By incorporating Mexican-American authors into his curriculum, students can see their lived experiences reflected in literature and the content they are learning.

“It’s essential for students to see themselves in what they read and feel proud about where they come from,” Garcia said. “The Texas-Mexico border, just like any and all borders around the world, is often portrayed negatively in the media, but through storytelling and education, we can show the beauty, resilience and value of our cultures while also covering various course materials in class. Mexican-American authors have produced great literature, so I try to highlight how they are worthy of study.”

To learn more about STC’s English program visit, https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/english/.