eFaculty of the Year virtually empowers students

A clear vision of sparking a passion for biology and a well-executed way to do it recently earned Iraselia Garcia, South Texas College Biology faculty member and online instructor, a 2024 STC eFaculty of the Year award.

“When I learned about getting selected for the eFaculty of the Year award I was so shocked, but in the best way,” she shared. “I am incredibly grateful for this honor and thrilled that my dedication to creating engaging and structured courses for my students is being recognized.”

Annually, the eFaculty of the Year award is an opportunity to recognize faculty who design engaging, well-structured online courses and effectively use tools and best practices to support student learning.

As of the spring 2024 semester, 41% of STC’s students enrolled and participated in an online course. Dean of Digital Learning Rachel Sale, Ph.D., recognized Garcia for her exceptional contributions to supporting students virtually through online education.

“This achievement reflects Garcia’s incredible dedication to excellence in online education, inspiring faculty and students alike,” said Sale. “By embracing the resources set in place for faculty, she’s truly set the bar for student engagement and success. This commitment not only enhances the learning experience for students, but also enriches the entire educational community at the college.”

Recognizing the challenges college students face and the importance of supporting their academic success, Garcia explained how she enhances the learning experience for students.

“As someone who has taken an active role in their education, I’ve prioritized my courses and class experiences to reflect what my teachers did for me that I appreciated,” Garcia said. “This institution also provides a variety of resources that have helped me tremendously in facilitating my classes. I work hard in building a space for my students that is engaging and organized, where we can enjoy the content we’re learning, but also make learning and student-based messaging a user-friendly experience that is consistent and accessible to ensure success. As instructors, if we are able to minimize navigation or communication issues, especially with online courses, things can go smoother for everyone and that’s what I try to do.”

Overcoming many of her own challenges in life, like the passing of her parents when she was 12, Garcia says her path to education was paved by her own experiences of inspiring science teachers, especially the women educators in her life who encouraged her sense of wonder in science.

“Despite the many obstacles I’ve lived through, I have had some wonderful teachers from elementary, middle and high school that truly left an impact on my life,” Garcia said. “I was not only encouraged to pursue science at a young age, but it was inspiring seeing these women in the classroom, studying science and unknowingly planting a seed in me that I could pursue a career in medicine or science. Now I realize their impact on me as an educator is a testament to how they created engaging courses.”

Garcia was a Palmview High School Valedictorian and a proud alumni from STC’s Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA) in 2012, recalls having goals of going to medical school.

“I had ambitions of going into medical school which is why I was a part of the DEMSA program at STC,” Garcia explained. “After graduating with my associate degree, I decided to continue my studies at UTPA and began studying biology. I immediately fell in love with the subject and after graduating with my bachelor’s degree, around the time that UTPA transitioned to UTRGV, I decided to keep going for my master’s degree in biology.”

It was during her graduate program that Garcia discovered her passion for teaching when she had the opportunity to conduct research and work as a teaching assistant.  This experience became a turning point, confirming that her true calling was in education.

“During this transformative time, I began teaching courses and enjoyed the experience so much that I realized that being an educator was what I wanted to do. I began my teaching career at STC’s Mid-Valley campus in 2017 and never looked back,” the 30-year-old said.

Aligning her goals to STC’s mission, Garcia says she hopes to continue helping build the strong foundation of the Biology department and remove as many obstacles for students in hopes they will realize their dreams just as she has.

“Growing up with dedicated educators, I now embrace that role with enthusiasm,” Garcia shared. “My goal is to continue offering my students a smooth college experience, making biology engaging and relevant to their daily lives. I aim to work with my department to provide accessible, affordable options and empower students through their educational milestones. I am humbled that this honor reflects my commitment to these goals, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue raising our standards and enriching our students’ experiences through the courses we offer.”