BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Dozens of middle school students from school districts across the Rio Grande Valley explored a variety of career pathways offered through 51����’s (TSC) Workforce Training and Continuing Education (WTCE) division during the Summer Exploration Camp, held June 1–4 at the ITEC Center.

Through interactive, hands-on activities, students gained valuable insight into different career fields and educational opportunities available through WTCE programs.

Instructors from the Diesel Technician, Welding, Auto Body Repair Technology and Basic Peace Officer programs guided students through workshops designed to introduce them to each field and the careers available within those industries.

“The camp connects them to the instructors we have here who are industry-ready and qualified,” said WTCE Executive Director Juan Leal. “We expose them to different equipment, supplies, and tools that the industries are currently using.”

The camp is one of more than a dozen that TSC and WTCE are hosting for middle and high school students throughout the summer.

“We have a lot of support from the school districts,” Leal said. “We also work closely with them throughout the year. We want to make sure students succeed and are college- and career-ready after graduation.”

The welding workshop drew strong interest from campers, including Ethan Hernandez, a student from San Perlita Middle School who comes from a family of welders.

“I like how you had the chance to cut your initial out and take it home,” he said.

Hernandez said he enjoyed all the workshops and shared his experience with his parents.

“I told them it was fun and that I learned a lot about different careers,” he said.

Dominic Hernandez, a student from Garcia Middle School in Brownsville, also comes from a family of welders and relished the opportunity to use the tools provided by instructors.

“I want to keep it going for generations,” Dominic said. “The plasma cutter was my favorite. You can weld and cut at the same time.”

Leal said the enthusiasm he sees from students reinforces the effort staff members put into organizing the camp.

“It’s hands-on with jackets and helmets, and they get to experience what it feels like,” Leal said. “They get excited and take things home. We see there’s a lot of talent out there.”

Students in the auto body workshop used a simulator to practice painting cars and were given small car models to apply their skills and take home.

“They gave us a car, and we had to cover it with a clear coat,” said Hailey Gutierrez, a student from Vela Middle School in Brownsville. “I really enjoyed it because I never expected myself to do that kind of work.”

Ensuring campers have fun and memorable experiences is a key component of the summer camps.

“We want them to take that experience home and talk about it with their parents,” Leal said. “That way, they can make informed decisions about their future and what degree or career they want to pursue.”

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — 51���� opened the door to a new career path for Eleazar Hernandez, a Respiratory Care Science student with a strong academic background.

Before enrolling at TSC, the Brownsville native worked as a high school STEM teacher and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in ocean, coastal and earth sciences.

“I just felt the career wasn’t calling to me,” Hernandez said. “After a while, I decided to look into healthcare. Being from the Valley, I started exploring two-year degree programs.”

Hernandez found the passion he had been searching for after interviewing with TSC Respiratory Care Science Program Director Isidro Ramirez III and Clinical Education Program Director Alberto Vasquez during the application process.

“Being an educator myself, you can really tell who is here for the love of the job,” Hernandez said. “Knowing they weren’t just program directors but also instructors, the way they spoke about the program and their vision for its future, confirmed my decision to become an RT and a student here.”

The program’s engaged instruction, combined with Hernandez’s academic foundation, helped him excel in his first year.

In April, Hernandez presented scholarly research on airway diseases at the Texas Society for Respiratory Care South Region South Padre Island Symposium. More than 20 entries were submitted, but only a select group of students from South Texas community colleges were chosen to present.

“I’m extremely proud of my hard work,” Hernandez said. “It wasn’t just me. The faculty in the program guided my success. They have pushed me to step forward and put myself out there in a world that is new to me.”

Hernandez placed second.

“It was awesome to place,” Hernandez said. “Just being able to present and see my work out there was more than enough. It was great to see other college students and professionals come together.”

Ramirez said Hernandez has already demonstrated leadership and is expected to make an impact in the field.

“We see him as a leader in this program,” Ramirez said. “That’s what we want to produce in the Respiratory Care Science program — individuals who will go out and care for our

community and our families. I see Eli as a contributing member of society. We’re proud of him.”

Vasquez said Hernandez is an asset to both his classmates and faculty, bringing valuable perspective from his time as an educator.

“I talk to him often about his experience teaching in high school,” Vasquez said. “I learn from him just as much as he learns from me from a teacher’s perspective. It’s awesome to have that kind of relationship with a student, especially a first-year student. I see a very bright future for this young man.”

Hernandez plans to graduate next year and become a registered respiratory therapist. Long term, he hopes to advance within the field.

“Physician assistant, perfusionist or anesthesiology assistant are pathways we can pursue as RTs — it’s a foundation to move up,” he said. “Even if I don’t, I can see myself becoming a director in the respiratory therapy field.”

Hernandez said he is grateful to have found a career he is passionate about and credits TSC faculty for their support.

“They make sure to check on their students, that we’re grasping the material and ready to move forward in our careers,” he said. “TSC has done a great job building this program and hiring dedicated instructors.”

51���� soccer programs are helping Rio Grande Valley players extend their careers by providing a platform to gain attention from four-year institutions.

Five TSC players announced their commitments during a ceremony at the Oliveira Student Services Center.

Men’s soccer players Ivan Galvan and Miguel Campos will continue their careers at Nelson University, a National Christian College Athletic Association program in Phoenix, Arizona.

“I’m very proud to go to another university and accomplish a dream I’ve had since high school,” said Campos, a goalkeeper. “I appreciate my teammates, family and friends who encouraged me.”

Both players joined TSC after beginning their collegiate careers outside the Rio Grande Valley.

Galvan, a winger, said he is grateful to men’s soccer head coach Mario Zamora for the opportunity to become a Scorpion after contacting him while recovering from a knee injury.

“I did my recovery here at the TSC Recreation Center, and everyone was helpful,” Galvan said. “When he finally gave me a chance to play, I took advantage of it and kept going.”

While Campos and Galvan prepare for their move to Nelson University, three TSC players will continue their careers at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics program.

Men’s soccer player Kenneth Reyes will be joined in San Antonio by America Valdez and Camila Minez from the TSC women’s team.

“I feel very proud,” said Reyes, a center back. “It’s an experience I’ll never forget. Not many people get this opportunity, and I’m going to keep working.”

Valdez, a defender, said she had not planned to play college soccer until TSC’s coaching staff reached out.

“When they gave me the opportunity, I took it,” Valdez said. “It was close to home, I could see my parents, and it felt like the right choice. It’s just a good feeling.”

Minez, a winger and TSC’s 2024-25 Newcomer of the Year, said she is thankful to share the experience with Valdez.

“I feel safer knowing I’ll have someone there I can talk to and who will support me,” Minez said.

The Scorpion soccer community is proud of the players continuing their careers and wishes them success at Nelson University and Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — 51���� opened its doors to a Los Fresnos family that believes in the power of higher education at every stage of life.

Hilda Martinez and her children, Brandon Guzman and Alexa Fernandez Sanchez Martinez, graduated from TSC with associate degrees on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

“Really exciting,” Martinez said. “It’s unimaginable. I’m proud I was able to graduate with them.”

Anyone who steps foot on 51���� is standing on grounds deeply connected to American military history. The campus occupies land that was once part of Fort Brown, a historic U.S. Army post established during the Mexican-American War. The fort was named in honor of Major Jacob Brown, who died after sustaining injuries in the war.

“A lot of history, a lot of honorable history,” said Manuel Hinojosa, a local architect and historian. “A lot of soldiers that died for their country on these grounds. When you walk down the campus, you can almost feel their presence. When you think it, about over 2,000 soldiers that were on this location.”

Several notable figures were stationed at Fort Brown during their early military careers, including Robert E. Lee and Abner Doubleday, while William C. Gorgas served there as a young Army surgeon before later gaining fame for his work combating yellow fever.

“Many presidents were at this location,” Hinojosa said. “William G. Harding gave a speech here. It was a destination point to spend time here in the honor of this fort.”

Following the Civil War and the Great Storm of 1867, Fort Brown—originally an earthen fort built along the Rio Grande—was reconstructed with permanent brick buildings on TSC’s present-day campus.

“Quartermaster William A. Wainright was in charge of building the buildings,” Hinojosa said. “One of the first buildings was Gorgas Hall in 1868. The cemetery was established at that time. There was a small island that was about 25 acres. The island was an ideal choice to bury the soldiers who died in the area.”

Hundreds of American soldiers would eventually be laid to rest in the cemetery.

“At that time, they set up the graves for the Mexican-American War and Civil War soldiers, “Hinojosa said. “We’re talking about 2,676 graves, more than half of those graves are unidentified. Six-hundred of the unidentified graves are from the black troops that were in the area.”

51���� will honor the lives of the fallen heroes buried at Old Fort Brown Cemetery, as well as all military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, with a special ceremony during its Flags on the Lawn event.

The event, part of TSC’s Centennial Celebration, will take place Friday, May 22, at 8:30 a.m. on the historic grounds of the former cemetery site at 1905 W. University Blvd.

During the ceremony, guests will learn about the historical significance of Old Fort Brown Cemetery, followed by a traditional 21-gun salute in tribute to the fallen heroes.

TSC will distribute U.S. flags for visitors to place on the historic grounds of the former cemetery site, where more than 4,000 flags will be displayed.

In 1911, the graves in the cemetery were disinterred, and the remains were moved to Alexandria National Cemetery in Louisiana.

“The headstones remained in place until the fort was sold,” said Hinojosa. “During that time, a contractor bid on the gravestones and used them on his building in downtown Brownsville. You can still see some of the cornerstones. A lot of the graves were used as part of the foundation. They remain there and are still visible in the downtown area.”

In the 1944, the fort was decommissioned. After that, the City of Brownsville and the Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) acquired the land as the new home for the college.

“Forty-eight acres went to what back then was Brownsville Junior College, which is now TSC, “Hinojosa said. “Seventy-five buildings out of the 250 that existed were given to the college. It established the core of the college’s campus.”

��Hinojosa, an architect who takes great interest in the structural history of buildings, is especially impressed with Gorgas Hall.

“The college has been here at this location for 80 years and has utilized many of these historical buildings,” he said. “Like the hospital, which is now Gorgas Hall. It’s one of the most beautiful military hospitals in the U.S. with its vernacular structure. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the Spanish arches and New Orleans type of architecture that was built.”

Hinojosa says that after the area around the cemetery’s fort was later developed into a resort, the site’s history as a cemetery was gradually forgotten.

“At that time, the attraction was to come into this resort area where you could use the resaca, or the lagoon, to have your motorboats and to do paddlewheels,” Hinojosa said. “They had motels throughout the island itself, which was a little island paradise. So, the idea of a cemetery had been forgotten after that, with the headstones removed.”

Hinojosa commends TSC for raising awareness about the historical significance of Old Fort Brown Cemetery with its Flags on the Lawn event.

“Eighty years that this hasn’t been in my mind,” he said. “What the college is doing right now, remembering Memorial Day and the national cemetery that was there because the resort is not at that location, and the significance of what happened in 1846 would be incorporated into what the college has done during its time at this location.”

Members of the public are invited to join the TSC community at the Flags on the Lawn event.

By Astrid Mendez — KRGV — May 17

Graduation season is underway and more than 1,100 students graduated from 51����.

Among them were a Los Fresnos mom and her two children.

‘Don’t wait for the tide just to dip both your feet in,’ that’s the message written across the graduation cap of Alexa Sanchez Martinez, but it’s a phrase that describes her family’s journey to the graduation stage.

“It was definitely hard. It was a lot of endless nights, I worked so I had to juggle that too, but honestly, this is the number one thing I feel most accomplished with,” Alexa said.

This isn’t Alexa’s high school graduation. It’s her graduation from TSC, where she received an Associate of Arts in General Studies, all while still attending Los Fresnos High School.

She wasn’t the only one in her family wearing a cap and gown. Her mother and brother, Hilda Martinez and Brandon Guzman, also graduated from TSC on the same day.

“There’s no one else I rather graduate with and seeing them finally going through that stepping stone with me right behind them, just copying their every move, honestly it just makes me really happy and I’m super proud of them,” Alexa said.

Alexa’s mom — Hilda — earned her Associate degree in Social Work, all while working full-time as an attendance and records clerk at Los Fresnos CISD.

Dr. Alejos Salazar Jr., superintendent of Lasara Independent School District and a proud graduate of 51���� (TSC), took a non-traditional path to educational leadership.

Salazar, a 1989 graduate of La Villa High School, was already a husband and father when he began taking evening classes at TSC in the mid-1990s. During this period, he worked as a teacher’s aide and bus driver for the South Texas Independent School District, carefully balancing his professional responsibilities, education, and family life.

“Being 24 years old and already having children, I wanted to be able to provide more for them,” Salazar said. “To be able to give them the life I thought they deserved—and that my wife and I deserved. As tired as I was, there was always the motivation to continue to move forward.”

Many of Salazar’s classmates in his evening classes also worked during the day

“I didn’t feel out of place at all,” he said. “When you have a certain level of comfort, it allows you to work that much better. That made a huge difference. I tell people, UTB/TSC (University of Texas at Brownsville and 51����) was the place for me.”

Salazar graduated from UTB/TSC in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in government and political science. He recalls that some of his most meaningful learning experiences took place outside the classroom. As a student, he was invited to dinners hosted by political science professor Dr. Norman Binder, where he had the opportunity to interact with local politicians.

“I don’t know if I would have been able to do that at 18 or 19,” said Salazar. “At 25 to 28, it was easy for him to entrust me with a lot of things and to learn how to mingle and communicate. That was an education. I don’t think I would have that experience anywhere else if not for 51����.”

After graduating from UTB/TSC, Salazar was accepted into several law schools. At the time, he was the father of three children and chose to forgo law school to remain close to home and help raise his family. Instead, he took a position as a permanent substitute teacher. In 1999, he secured his first full teaching role with the Santa Maria Independent School District.

“My dad was a school administrator,” Salazar said. “He had always instilled in my sisters and me that if you’re going to do something, try to be the best or rise to the top in whatever you’re doing.”

Motivated by his father’s philosophy, Salazar continued advancing his education while building his career. He earned a master’s degree and moved into administrative roles across several school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. Committed to lifelong learning, he later enrolled in the Cooperative Superintendency Program at the University of Texas, ultimately earning his doctoral degree in 2019.

“To be able to go to what at one point is the number one program in the nation, I’m very proud of that,” Salazar said emotionally. “It makes my heart happy.”

The Lasara ISD superintendent takes pride in providing students with the opportunity to earn a college degree.

“What happens when you’re doing physical labor and your body can no longer do that?” said Salazar. “It’s of utmost importance that our kids have the educational background and cognitive ability to say, at that point, ‘I’m transitioning to management or the executive office. I’ve done the work, but I’m also capable of leading the work.’”

Salazar also emphasizes the need to advocate for his students beyond the classroom. In 2025, he spoke to policymakers at the Capitol, highlighting urgent concerns about school funding and how it affects educational equity across communities.

“That’s important to me,” Salazar said. “Whether you agree or disagree with school vouchers, the fact is: Are you willing to make the effort and go to speak on behalf of those who you represent? Are you willing to go and defend, or be the voice, for those who do not have a voice?”

Salazar remembers how his time as a student at TSC helped prepare him to become an educational leader.

“I found that voice at TSC,” he said. “Dr. Binder and Dr. John Robey allowed us to go to meet with all those politicians and people, and for them to sit and value what we had to say. To this day, I use that experience to be able to advocate for my kids and my community.”

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