OP-ED -- Ramirez: Reflecting on a year of growth at Laredo College

As one academic year comes to a close and another begins with Fall 2026 classes starting Monday, I have spent time reflecting on what Academic Year 2025-26 meant for Laredo College and, more importantly, for the thousands of students and families we serve.

Our purpose is, and always has been, to transform lives through education. Every student who walks through our doors arrives with unique hopes, challenges, responsibilities and dreams. Whether they are the first in their family to attend college, balancing work and family responsibilities, pursuing a new career or beginning their educational journey while still in high school, they place their trust in us to help create a better future.

Academic Year 2025-26 was one of the most significant and transformative years in the history of Laredo College. Guided by our commitment to student success, workforce development, affordability, innovation and responsible stewardship of public resources, we continued strengthening our role as a comprehensive regional institution serving South Texas.

Enrollment continued to grow throughout the academic year, reaching a record 11,193 students in Fall 2025 and 11,709 students in Spring 2026 across our academic, workforce, dual credit, adult education and continuing education programs. More importantly, those numbers represent thousands of students and families who place their trust in Laredo College as a pathway to opportunity, economic mobility and a brighter future.

Student success remained at the center of every decision we made. This spring, we celebrated the largest graduating class in institutional history, awarding 1,885 degrees and certificates. We also achieved extraordinary results across our academic, workforce and community education programs. Students in all our health sciences programs achieved 100% pass rates on their licensure examinations. Additionally, cadets from our Regional Law Enforcement Academy achieved a 100% pass rate on their state licensing exam. These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our faculty, staff, administrators and Board of Trustees, as well as the determination and hard work of our students.

Affordability also remained a defining priority. Laredo College continues to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the most affordable public institutions in the nation. We have not increased tuition and fees in 13 years because we believe higher education should remain accessible to every student willing to put in the work to achieve their goals.

We also continued expanding one of the most successful Open Educational Resources initiatives in Texas. Since its implementation in 2023, the program has generated more than $5.7 million in textbook savings for students and families while maintaining an adoption rate of approximately 95%. Through the Palomino Pledge, scholarships, free meal plans, emergency assistance and other student support programs, we continued removing financial barriers that too often stand between students and opportunity. This year alone, Laredo College awarded $2 million in scholarships to help Palominos achieve their educational dreams.

Workforce development continued to be a major focus as we responded to the needs of one of the nation's most important trade and logistics hubs. We expanded programs in transportation, business, public safety, healthcare, technology, industrial education and other high-demand fields aligned with regional and statewide workforce needs. We strengthened our connections with employers and educational institutions by signing more than 300 partnership agreements designed to expand educational pathways, workforce training opportunities and employment prospects for our graduates.

Another exciting milestone was the continued expansion of bachelor's degree opportunities at Laredo College, creating additional pathways for local students and working professionals to advance their education without leaving the community. We also continued modernizing instruction through HyFlex learning, enhanced online and hybrid offerings and expanded initiatives focused on artificial intelligence and digital innovation. These efforts ensure our students are prepared for the rapidly changing workforce they will enter after graduation.

Beyond affordability and flexibility, we remain committed to supporting students holistically. Success in college is shaped by more than what happens in the classroom. It is influenced by a student's physical well-being, mental health, emotional resilience, sense of belonging, financial stability and access to meaningful support systems. Through expanded advising services, mental health resources, wellness initiatives, academic support programs and student engagement opportunities, we continue working to ensure every student feels welcomed, valued and supported throughout their educational journey. Our goal is not simply to help students earn a credential. It is to help them thrive academically, personally and professionally.

The year also brought opportunities that many students once believed were beyond their reach. Laredo College launched its first Study Abroad Program to Spain, creating valuable international learning experiences and providing students an opportunity to broaden their perspectives while demonstrating leadership on a global stage. Thanks to the generosity of donors and the support of the Laredo College Foundation, Laredo College students were able to participate in an experience they may never have otherwise imagined possible.

At the same time, we invested in the people who make student success possible. We established an Employee Scholarship Program supporting master's and doctoral degrees, expanded leadership development opportunities, strengthened employee wellness initiatives and created new university partnerships to help prepare the next generation of institutional leaders. Investing in our employees ultimately strengthens the educational experience for every student we serve.

We also continued investing in our campuses and facilities. Major improvements included the renovation of Domingo Arechiga Hall, the reopening of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center, the renovation of the Regional Law Enforcement Academy facilities and enhancements to the Raquel González Automotive Technology Center. These improvements, along with ongoing infrastructure and technology investments, ensure students have access to learning environments that support academic excellence and workforce readiness.

Despite significant investments in students, employees, facilities and technology, we maintained balanced budgets, continued reducing the institutional tax rate, avoided tuition and fee increases and remained committed to responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources. Fiscal responsibility and student success are not competing priorities. At Laredo College, they go hand in hand.

Most importantly, these accomplishments are not measured solely in statistics. They are reflected in graduates beginning new careers, students earning credentials of value, families experiencing greater economic mobility and community members gaining access to opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives. Those stories are the true measure of our success.

As we continue preparing for the future and for the celebration of our 80th anniversary, our commitment remains clear: to expand opportunity, strengthen student success, invest in innovation, support our workforce and ensure that every student who chooses Laredo College knows they belong. Together, we are building an institution that continues to transform lives, strengthen our community and create a better place to live, learn and work for generations to come.