BROWNSVILLE, Texas — 51���� (TSC) is moving forward with plans to expand its campus footprint to South Padre Island with the development of a new Workforce Training Center designed to meet the growing labor demands of Cameron County and the greater Rio Grande Valley.

Chairwoman Adela Garza, Trustee Edward Camarillo, and TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez recently returned from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) conference in Washington, D.C., where they connected with Senator John Cornyn as well as met with Congressman Vicente Gonzalez to discuss federal priorities affecting community colleges. During the meeting, the Congressman encouraged college leadership to submit a $1 million proposal to support the transformation of a South Padre Island facility into an operational Workforce Training Center.

“The proposed site, located adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard station on South Padre Island, will be developed as the second TSC Workforce Training Center in Cameron County,” said Chairwoman Garza. “Being an active member of the ACCT and the Hispanic Caucus Committee allows us to bring a voice to the educational and training needs in our community. This is a significant step toward creating a path for additional careers in the Rio Grande Valley.”

According to TSC leadership, the expansion comes at a critical time. Rapid industry growth across Cameron County is creating workforce shortages in high-demand fields.

“In recent years, with the rapid expansion of industries in Cameron County, there has been a need for more workforce training,” said President Rodriguez. “Right now, jobs such as pipefitting, welding and a variety of jobs in the healthcare industry are in great demand, and we are in a good position to bring in students, train them quickly, and help them with a job upon completion of their training”.

The Association of Community College Trustees hosts one of the most significant professional development events for community college leaders nationwide. The conference provides legislative updates, strategic sessions addressing workforce development, student success initiatives, economic mobility, and regional industry partnerships.

“If approved, the TSC South Padre Island Workforce Training Center would expand access to industry-aligned training programs while strengthening TSC’s role as a workforce engine for the Rio Grande Valley,” said Trustee Camarillo.

BROWNSVILLE (51����) – 51���� students thinking about future job opportunities took advantage of a unique chance to polish their interview skills at TSC’s Interview Practicum held at Jacob Brown Auditorium.��

��The students took part in mock job interviews with representatives from local businesses.��

“Some financial institutions here, locally, you have TVC, the Texas Veterans Commission, UTRGV, the City of Brownsville and Cameron County as well, along with the Workforce Solutions Cameron too,” said Josue Silguero, TSC’s Director of Career and Employment services, which organized the event.��

TSC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Adela Garza took part in the event as an interviewer. As a business owner, she took joy in offering advice to a student who is seeking a business degree.��

“I told him when you work for Corporate America, it’s a different set of rules than when you establish your own business,” Garza said. “In every job you have, you��have to��take your heart with you, your compassion, and your professionalism. And that follows you forever.”��

 Jennifer Sanchez, a first-year student in TSC’s Child Development Early Childhood (CDEC)��program��was grateful for the advice she received.��

“I thought it was really interesting,” Sanchez said.��“It was��really good. It did help me for what potential employers would say in an interview.”��

Sanchez was interviewed by Rusty��Brechot, Cameron County Market President for Lone Star National Bank.��

“Something he did say was that my greatest strength is me, how I am, how I present myself, and how I stay honest��to��myself,” Sanchez added.��

“Everyone is a little bit nervous when they do something like this,��Brechot��said. “If you can break that in the beginning,��you’ll��end up with a wonderful interview and��you’ll��get to know the truth. I think a lot of what we talked about as well is being honest and having confidence. You know, all these different things, as well as what is on paper.”��

Nadia Sanchez, who is also in the CDEC program, hopes to one day be a director for an early childhood center. She says the event also helped her learn more about how she can improve for real-world interviews.��

“I was trying to calm down, but still, I was nervous,” Sanchez said. “Trying to work on my body movements and they said my voice was a little lower. So, try to raise my voice.”����

51���� held a rededication ceremony on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, officially renaming the TSC Legal Center to the Ruben Herrera, J.D. Legal Center in honor of the late Ruben Herrera, J.D., a distinguished TSC alumnus, longtime board trustee, and champion of legal education in the Rio Grande Valley.

Herrera, who passed away unexpectedly in March 2024, played a central role in the vision and development of the facility. As a trustee and subcommittee member, he helped oversee the renovation of the 5,716-square-foot building, which now features a full-size courtroom, jury conference room, two classrooms, and a digital law library. His input helped shape the center into a dynamic instructional space where students in TSC’s Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice programs can gain real-world, courtroom-based experience.

A graduate of Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Herrera led a successful Brownsville law practice and served as a respected community leader across multiple organizations, including the TSC Foundation, Brownsville Economic Development Corporation, and Tip of Texas Family Outreach. He was also a Leadership Brownsville graduate (Class IX), where he served as Chair of the Junior Leadership program.

Elected to the TSC Board of Trustees in 2016, Herrera served as Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair before ultimately assuming the role of Immediate Past Chair. His dedication to expanding access to quality education and professional development made a lasting impact on the college, its students, and the broader Brownsville community.

During the ceremony, TSC President Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez reflected on Herrera’s enduring legacy and the significance of renaming the center in his honor.

“Trustee Herrera’s belief in the mission of the community college was matched by his belief in the people that we serve today.” Dr. Rodriguez began. “As we dedicate the Ruben Herrera J.D., Legal Center, we renew our promise that his vision lives on in these classrooms where future generations of students will learn the law, practice justice, and carry forward his dedication of fairness and equity.”

Board of Trustees Chairwoman Adela G. Garza also addressed the audience, noting both Herrera’s deep commitment to the college and the inspiration his example provides to future generations of students and community leaders.

“I’m honored commemorate the impact that Ruben had on this college and in this community. He worked hard, and to those who were close to him, you heard the stories of him working and coming to school. He kept saying that if he could do it, anybody can do it. He wanted to show the next generation of students that anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the work.”

The event brought together faculty, staff, students, and community members to celebrate Herrera’s legacy and recognize his pivotal contributions to 51���� and the Rio Grande Valley.