{"id":12312,"date":"2026-03-23T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesouthtexan.com\/?p=12312"},"modified":"2026-03-10T20:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T20:22:15","slug":"pathways-for-future-engineers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesouthtexan.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/23\/pathways-for-future-engineers\/","title":{"rendered":"Pathways for future engineers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From community college to full-time engineers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Texas A&M University \u2013 Kingsville (TAMUK) recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with three community colleges to establish Javelina Engineering Academies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a ceremonial document meant to sit on a shelf; it is a promise to South Texas students that their education matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Heidi Taboada, dean of the College of Engineering, shared why this document is important and how it would affect the engineering pipeline in South Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis agreement expands access to engineering education, strengthens workforce preparation through aligned and market-responsive pathways, and reinforces a sustainable engineering pipeline for South Texas,\u201d Taboada said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This event took place on Feb. 24 inside the Founder\u2019s Room, located in Lewis Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provost of TAMUK, Dr. James Palmer, expanded on the importance of this signing event and how much work and support was needed to get to the day\u2019s momentous occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday is an important milestone at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and for our partners in South Texas. The Javelina Engineering Academies began with a vision and had lots of momentum. It\u2019s taken a while to get here, almost two years, but we are grateful for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and its support, which has helped us serve as a catalyst very early for student stipends, travel and other launch activities. That initial investment allowed us to move from concept to action,\u201d Palmer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photo by Daphney Pena, Dr. Minita Ramirez, Dr. Zachary Suarez, Dr. Robert Vela, and Dr. Jennifer Neff presents signed MOU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presidents from Laredo, Coastal Bend and Victoria colleges came to TAMUK to sign a memorandum of understanding, this document signifies the official collaboration between these colleges and TAMUK to create a Javelina Engineering Academy at each campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason why this program is important is the engineering candidates that are created by it. The appeal of a Javelina Engineer to global industry giants like Tesla, Exxon and SpaceX isn\u2019t just about having proficiency in STEM; it\u2019s a rare, one-of-a-kind feature embedded in South Texas culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Robert Vela, president of TAMUK, shared the secret behind engineers being hired by such companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was visiting with the CEO of Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, Exxon. They hire a lot of Javelina engineers. He said\u2013to develop the prototype of the perfect engineer for Exxon\u2013there’s one characteristic that is very common for a Javelina engineer, and it’s not anywhere else in the world, it\u2019s grit. These engineers are relentless. They will not stop until they figure out the solution,\u201d Vela said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This tenacity reflects a regional culture that refuses to give up, proving that for these students, engineering is more than a job; it\u2019s a way of being brought up in the pursuit of excellence and hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laredo College President Dr. Minita Ramirez discussed her excitement for this partnership and how it will affect the students on her campus and job placements after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is through partnerships like these\u2014between our colleagues across community colleges and the state\u2014that we make sure the future of our state and country are in a better position. This particular initiative provides our students with summer introductions to the engineering department, but more importantly, ensures long-term sustainability for the individuals. These summer academies give us that continuous reinforcement to keep them engaged, informed and registered until graduation and eventually placement in the workforce. As we build this legacy of a stronger Texas, we know that the foundation of strong mathematics, science and writing skills are critical to everyone’s success,\u201d Ramirez said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This program will give students the opportunity to complete core, and introductory engineering classes in either mechanical, industrial or civil engineering at their community colleges; then credits will 100% transfer to TAMUK for the opportunity to complete advanced courses for a bachelor’s degree in their discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmer shared more of his thoughts on how these transfer agreements will truly benefit the student population and the improved communication to ensure students don\u2019t feel lost as they switch between institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEngineering, in particular, demands precision. Prerequisites must line up, course progression must be intentional and timelines must be predictable. There should be no surprises for our students. We will build a consistent communication loop so that students never feel lost between institutions. When they move from a partner college into Javelina engineering, it should feel like a continuation, not a disruption. Within the year, we will have every undergraduate degree at TAMUK with a required capstone experience. At the state level, Texas has made its expectations clear: increase completions in high-demand fields, and engineering is center to that priority,\u201d Palmer said. \u201cFrom the Provost\u2019s office, you have my commitment to support the structures to make this a success. This is not an agreement; it is a promise. A promise to our students that their path will be clear; a promise to our partners that we will work in alignment with you; and a promise to South Texas that we will continue leading at TAMUK in developing the engineers our region and state need and deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many industries along the 69 passageways are already anticipating the arrival of these new graduates to meet the workforce demands of South Texas. Major corporations such as Tesla, Exxon, SpaceX and Oxy are reinforcing their efforts to recruit local engineering aptitude.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe’re going to make sure that every student doesn’t ever feel like they’re settling, doesn’t ever feel like they’re having to leave to go get something, because every major employer that we’re talking to right up the 69 corridor is doubling down, and every one of them has said, including Tesla that we just met with a month ago, \u2018We want to hire local engineers. We know that if we hire local engineers, they’re going to stay because they like hunting, fishing, and all the quality of life that South Texas has. We’re tired of hiring engineers from Louisiana and other places that come here, we train them, and they go back home for a dollar more an hour. We just can’t do that anymore\u2019,\u201d Vela said.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By focusing on improving learning environments in South Texas, the JEA is transforming a ceremonial document into a viable reality for local students. Ultimately leading to an attainable, successful future career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe call it the power of one. You transform that one student to become a successful Javelina engineer; you transform that family. That family transforms generations of families. Those generations transform communities. That’s how we elevate our communities. We’re going to remove those barriers and make sure every kid that wants to be a Javelina engineer can be an engineer. And I believe they are going to do something special,\u201d Dr. Vela said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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