51ΑΤΖζ welcomed dual credit counselors from partner school districts across the region on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, for its annual Dual Symposium at the Oliveira Student Center.

The symposium serves as a vital touchpoint for counselors, offering a full day of updates, presentations, and networking opportunities. Department deans, TSC’s Dual Enrollment staff, and other college representatives led sessions focused on policy changes, program updates, and the wide range of services available to dual credit students, including tutoring and accessibility resources.

Beyond the presentations, counselors had the chance to connect directly with TSC’s Dual Enrollment Navigators, who serve as dedicated resources for dual credit students from the early college high schools they work with. The Navigators provide ongoing support throughout a student’s journey, offering guidance on enrollment procedures, advising, and program resources. They also assist students who complete their associate degree at TSC and are interested in transferring to a university, ensuring a smooth transition into the next stage of their academic careers.

By creating space for both information-sharing and relationship-building, the symposium reaffirmed TSC’s commitment to strengthening its partnerships with local schools. That commitment is already yielding measurable results: in Spring 2025, 499 dual credit students graduated through TSC, a number projected to grow even higher in Spring 2026.

The event highlighted the critical role counselors play in guiding students toward success and underscored TSC’s dedication to providing them with the tools and support needed to ensure their students thrive in the classroom and beyond.

A milestone moment for hundreds of students took place as 51ΑΤΖζ (TSC) held a trio of Spring Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Jacob Brown Auditorium.

A total of 816 graduates walked the stage to receive their diplomas and certificates in front of their proud families and loved ones. Among the hundreds of graduates were dual-credit students from 18 local high schools, earning their college credentials before even finishing high school.

A gathering of TSC administration were on-hand as part of the ceremony, dressed in the traditional academic regalia, delivering their congratulations to the new graduates, as well as offering words of encouragement as they prepare to take the next steps in their lives.

β€œNo matter what program of study you chose at TSC, our Trustees, faculty, and staff had one goal: your success,” TSC President Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez told the crowd of new graduates. β€œIn the end, your individual success helps sustain a thriving local economy and improved overall well-being for all members of our community.”

The events also featured guest commencement speaker Ms. Teresa Ann Capistran, Superintendent of Point Isabel Independent School District. As a first-generation college graduate, Ms. Capistran offered a message focusing on creating milestones and blazing trails for future students to follow.

“All of you can achieve anything you set your mind to do,” Capistran told the graduating classes. “You can be the first in your family to do what hasn’t been done before. You have heard the saying ‘the sky is the limit’ and may not really have personalized it to your life, but it is true.”

Each ceremony concluded with a final congratulations from Dr. Rodriguez and a triumphant burst of confetti cannons to mark the occasion with a signature TSC style of spectacle. As the graduates and their loved ones filed outside for photographs and further adulation, it painted a proud picture of the region’s commitment to education and a powerful reminder of what is possible when opportunity and determination come together.

On behalf of everyone at 51ΑΤΖζ, congratulations to the graduating class of Spring 2025!

A group of exceptional students from La Feria Early College High School have made history by becoming the first group from that school to earn a degree from 51ΑΤΖζ, a remarkable achievement that sets them apart.

Marianna Cervin, Noah Lozano, Jazmin Guajardo, Midaly Cazares, Clarissa Beltran, Sebastian Flores, and Antonio Rodriguez now share the distinction of being the first students from La Feria Early College High School to earn an associate degree in General Studies from TSC just a few weeks before their high school graduation.

These students were part of TSC’s Dual Credit program, which gives high schools across the Rio Grande Valley the opportunity to offer concurrent classes that students can take in addition to their required classes.

Yolanda Chamberlain, Early College High School Director for La Feria ECHS, believes that these graduates have set a shining example for their peers. β€œThese students have paved the way for others to follow,” Chamberlain said. β€œTheir journey is a testament to the potential of our Dual Credit program, and I am confident that they will continue to inspire and achieve great things.”

For each dual credit class completed, students earn college credit hours before they have begun their first semester of college, allowing them to gain an incredible head-start on their studies in higher education.

The program is emblematic of one of TSC’s significant goals, which is to help local students pursue their educational goals more quickly and at a lower cost than other schools, assisting students to save time and money.

The seven La Feria students were among 490 additional TSC dual credit students from other local high schools to be awarded their associate’s degrees at the college’s most recent Spring Commencement Ceremony.