STC joins nationwide fellowship to support Latino student success

South Texas College Dean of Institutional Research, Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, Fernando Chapa, Ph.D., was recently selected for the 2024 cohort of Excelencia in Education’s Policy Fellows program, an initiative that aims to bring the voices of those directly working with Latino students to Washington, D.C.

Chosen as one of only seven higher education professionals nationwide, Chapa will have the opportunity to bring STC’s expertise to the Excelencia in Education’s national policy agenda and participate in developing strategies to potentially influence improvements for Latino students across the country.

“Each member of this fellowship comes from an institution that has earned the Seal of Excelencia, a national recognition awarded to those demonstrating outstanding success in helping Latino students enroll in and graduate from college,” explained Chapa. “Now, we have the opportunity to actively develop solutions tailored to the challenges Latino students face. I am honored to represent STC and advocate on behalf of our students.”

Alongside colleagues from Illinois, California, Michigan, and New York, Chapa recently traveled to Washington, D.C., where he spoke with staff members from the U.S. Department of Education and federal politicians at Capitol Hill about the challenges that Latinos face when pursuing higher education.

“It’s important for us to advocate so that those in charge can make informed decisions and guarantee an education for all Latino students,” said Chapa. “For me, the most crucial part is supporting our community. As a Latino and a first-generation student who struggled in college, I am deeply committed to being involved and helping lawmakers understand the significant impact of their decisions on us.”

While growing up, Chapa was once told “he didn’t belong in college” which discouraged him from pursuing higher education for many years, experiencing firsthand the struggles of feeling out of place.

Today, with 15 years of experience at STC, he is deeply committed to creating solutions that ignite a passion for learning in students who may feel the same way he once did.

“I want to focus on highlighting post-completion indicators, such as where students go after graduation and the financial return on their investment in their degrees, especially for two-year programs,” he explained. “What drives me here at STC stems from my own experience. I didn’t do well in high school and was labeled as someone who wouldn’t go to college. At one point, I felt completely lost and discouraged.”

Despite these challenges, Chapa eventually discovered an interest for psychology, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in the field from the former University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA), now known as the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

However, it was his true passion for research, that ultimately led him to begin a successful career at STC in 2009 as an Institutional Research Analyst.

“Through my college experience, I discovered that when you are truly passionate about something, you can accomplish anything,” he said. “Although my work primarily involves numbers and data, my focus has always remained on our students. By analyzing and providing data such as graduation rates and job placement, we can make informed decisions and plan for a better future.”

In 2016, he was appointed Director of Institutional Effectiveness at STC, the same year he earned his Doctorate in General Psychology: Research and Evaluation from Walden University.

In his current position, Chapa actively oversees the school’s long-term goals, plans and strategies to achieve them.

His skilled leadership has also earned him other recognitions such as the League Excellence Award from the League for Innovation in Community Colleges and the Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development.

Chapa is now prepared to bring his expertise to the national stage, sharing STC’s successful student outcomes to enhance education for Latinos across the country.

“At STC, when we ask our students what motivates them, they often mention a role model or instructor who truly inspired them,” he said. “We are committed to providing every student with that same experience, surrounded by faculty and staff who genuinely care and make a profound impact. That’s just one of the many reasons why our students achieve such remarkable success.”

He will now continue to collaborate with the fellowship through February 2025, working with his peers to examine national perspectives while leveraging campus-level expertise to engage with Excelencia’s national policy agenda.

“I never imagined I would be in this incredible position to highlight the improvements needed in education,” he added. “Connecting with others who share this passion, collaborating and learning from their experiences has been incredibly inspiring. It’s empowering to witness how our combined efforts can advance the shared goal of ensuring success for Latino students.”