Couple reflect on decades of family, community and growth

Growing up personally and professionally at South Texas College, Starr County faculty members and spouses Wilfrido (Eli) and Rosa Gutierrez-Sarabia say STC has played a significant role in the trajectory of their lives.

For nearly three decades, the couple has witnessed the college’s growth, first as standout students in the late 1990s then as faculty. The Sarabias say STC has become more than a place to work, it has become an extension of their own family.

“I think because Starr is a smaller campus it feels more like a family. Our children were essentially born into the college and grew up among the students,” said Eli. “The students we teach eventually become an extension of our own family as well. They get to know us and our kids, and that builds a sense of community that you really don’t find on many other college campuses.”

Starting as students in the early years of the college, Eli was a part of STC’s inaugural Valley Scholars cohort in 1997 and Rosa became part of the group’s fourth cohort in 2000, but they would not meet each other until 2001, working as student tutors at the college’s Pecan Campus.

Sharing an inherent love for instructing, and drawing upon their experiences as first-generation students, the Sarabias say they pushed each other to succeed, which brought them closer as a couple.

Now almost 25 years later, both hold associate degrees from STC as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the former University of Texas-Pan American, now University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Eli is an assistant professor of Psychological Science and Rosa is assistant chair of STC’s Math department in Starr County.

“It was something we had in common. I think working as tutors helped us see that we enjoyed working with students, helping them and teaching them,” said Rosa. “Prior to me becoming a tutor, I never considered any form of teaching. It never even crossed my mind that I could be a professor one day at the college, but once I was a tutor, and with his (Eli’s) help, I realized that I liked interacting with students, teaching them and helping them understand the material. I began to think that this was something I would enjoy.  Eli helped me keep going because I saw him do it first. I had his support. That really made a difference for me.”

Growing up in Roma, Eli and Rosa say they also witnessed the huge impact STC made in Starr County when the campus itself was first established in 1999. Now, more than ever, there is an increase of professionals contributing to the community thanks to the college.

“I think more students in Starr County are prioritizing college more than ever before. In the past, I believe students often thought of college as this faraway place or as this scary situation, but STC has brought it to reality here. College is more doable now. It’s possible. This is STC’s impact in the region,” said Eli. “STC has helped every young person realize that they can go to college and stay here with their families. Our region has grown tremendously because of these opportunities.”

For the Sarabias, it’s the same opportunities provided by the college that shaped their own futures, they said.

“I think STC can change students’ lives completely, just like it did ours. It’s just a matter of them realizing that it’s start a matter of starting and then just trying and giving it their best so more doors and opportunities open,” said Eli. “I tell students that they have to believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams because if they pull through, their whole lives and their families lives will grow from that.”