Texas Border Project
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
In a passionate opening to the McAllen City Election Forum, Dr. Ricardo Solis, president of South Texas College (STC), delivered a strong message about the importance of McAllen.
Standing in front of an audience that includes students, local leaders and community members, Dr. Solis began by welcoming participants to South Texas College’s “Original Pecan Campus.” “This is our original campus here in McAllen,” he added.
Dr. Solis quickly expanded his remarks, linking the evening local elections to a national conversation about the US-Mexico border. “In the political history of the United States, borders were the number one priority to hold national elections in general,” he said. “Think about that. The top priority by both candidates by both parties: Borderlands.”
He highlighted McAllen’s position in this dynamic national landscape. “We’re in the middle of everything in this activity. We’re in the most strategic place,” he said. “McAllen is at the epicenter of what’s going on throughout South Texas and the entire border of the US Mexico.”
Dr. Solis’s remarks framed the evening as more than a political event. This is a moment of civic engagement at the core of a region facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. “This is very important because it affects us all,” he said, noting how South Texas College is directly involved in shaping solutions through education and empowerment.
He spoke with pride about the evolution and impact of STC. “We are the most advanced and transformative university in Texas,” he said, citing six of the university’s campuses. He particularly emphasized the importance of three locations in McAllen. It is the original Pecan campus that offers associates and bachelor’s degrees, technology campus, and nursing and alliance health campus.
“These are the three most important campuses,” Dr. Solis noted. The technology campus is “the flagship of programs, such as advanced manufacturing, automobiles, welding, HVAC, computers, and more when it comes to technology opportunities,” he said. He also highlighted the relationship between the relevance of construction management and current infrastructure challenges discussed in the forum.
Dr. Solis highlighted the collaboration between the university and the city of McAllen when discussing the nursing and alliance health programs. “That’s our program. The city of McAllen has been committed to providing all the support we can get to improve our nursing capabilities here in South Texas.”
When he moved to the introduction of the forum, Dr. Solis emphasized the importance of civic participation and education. “I say a lot of things we’re doing here today,” he said. “We’re very excited. There are a lot of students here, so we’re proud to be able to host tonight’s FuturoRGV Candidate Forum.”
Dr. Solis also recognized the role of Futuro RGV in hosting the event. “This venue, the program, was put together by Futuro… We’re just holding it here, providing facilities, nothing else,” he reveals, praised the university for providing “electronics, video, media, access.”
He closed his remarks with humor and humility, joking that his “one minute elevator pitch” had become longer. However, the extended applause clearly shows that the audience welcomed his overview.
His final words highlight the purpose of the evening and the greater role the STC plays in fostering community leadership. “I look forward to moving the city forward,” he said. The event was handed over to moderators and candidates.
At that moment, Dr. Solis revealed it: South Texas University is more than just an educational institution. It is a civic pillar, labor engine and place for opportunity, at the heart of the region that shapes national conversation.
