STC expands course offerings into Mission

South Texas College and the Mission Economic Development Corporation have partnered to expand educational outreach with course offerings at the Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED) in Mission.

This initiative is a response to the needs of regional industry, to upskill and reskill the workforce and create opportunity for the Mission and surrounding communities.

“South Texas College proudly joins forces with the Mission Economic Development Corporation to drive economic prosperity and personal growth by offering courses at the CEED location,” said Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., STC vice president and provost of Academic Affairs. “These offerings empower individuals with the skills and resources necessary to thrive in professional environments and entrepreneurial pursuits. This partnership underscores our ongoing commitment to community enrichment, exemplifying STC’s dedication to creating educational pathways that strengthen our communities.”

Courses offered at the CEED are focused on personal skills and business development and are offered at a minimal fee. Most courses range from one to 16 days. At the end of each course, a certificate of completion is awarded.

Over the summer, beginning this month, courses such as Excel for Beginners, Public Speaking, Customer Service, Organizational Ethics and ESL for the Workplace will be offered with morning, afternoon or evening classes available.

All courses are taught by STC faculty members who are experts in their topic.

Daniela Masten, STC director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, calls this initiative a great steppingstone for anyone interested in pursuing a higher education.

“This is the first step in a journey toward a higher education,” she said. “Our goal is to empower individuals with the confidence they need to continue their education. We want those who join us at CEED to be fully engaged and open to the opportunities that these courses can provide.”

STC’s Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships (CATA) have also identified and hosted courses at the CEED that provides the in-demand skills needed by industry partners.

Courses offered by CATA, such as Artificial Intelligence and Industry 4.0, have been free.

STC CATA Director Leonel Garcia said, that through this initiative, his department expects to expand its offerings at CEED to continue engaging the community in higher education.

“We will continue assessing our industry needs, regionally and statewide, to continue providing the most advanced and up-to-date training for the residents of our community,” said Garcia. “We will also continue to remove barriers with free courses to create a pathway toward successful careers.”