Since she was a little girl, Gracy Espinoza has dreamt of working in law enforcement and she found that the Criminal Justice program at Texas Southmost College was a great stepping stone in making her dreams come true.

“Instead of cartoons I watched crime scene investigation documentaries,” said the 24-year-old. “And seeing my dad work as a security guard inspired me even more, but I decided I would take it one step further and work toward becoming a police officer.”

Texas Southmost College Criminal Justice Leaders Association students from TSC’s Criminal Justice program host the annual Law Enforcement Expo annually for the community. In this photo from a past event students are pictured with TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez and TSC Board of Trustee Delia Saenz.

Monica Pearce comes to Texas Southmost College all the way from the Canadian Provence of Prince Edward Island, and after searching high and low for the right job, she found her place at TSC.

The 36-year-old is now the college’s newest grant writer. She comes with extensive experience in grant writing as the former executive director for the Music Gallery in Toronto and the director of grants management and special projects for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge.

Monica Pearce is a pianist, composer and TSC’s newest grant writer. She is looking forward to the premiere of her opera titled “December” on December 21, 2020.

Well into the eighth month of COVID-19, the stressors of the pandemic are anything but over, meaning many students are still struggling and needing financial relief.

Texas Southmost College understands the struggle, and as part of the college’s ongoing comprehensive CARES initiative, all students enrolled during the Spring 2021 semester will receive a 20% reduction in their tuition. This follows the awarding of more than $455,000 in tuition reduction scholarships by TSC’s Board of Trustees for the Fall 2020 semester.

The Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees gathered for a special meeting on Nov. 23, 2020 to discuss and approve a scholarship which reduces each student’s tuition by 20% for the Spring 2021 semester.

Javier Hinojosa was looking for a career change, and he found it in Texas Southmost College’s Industrial Insulation program.

The 47-year-old is one of nine students who were part of the program’s first graduating class and who were offered positions at BrandSafway.

Texas Southmost College recently graduated its first Industrial Insulation class. The program’s industry partner BrandSafway made job offers to the students at the ceremony.

Texas Southmost College has integrated a new Safety and Security Command Center on its campus that is increasing security presence and partnerships among the college and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

“I’m grateful for the support I have received from TSC’s president and Board of Trustees in establishing this center,” said TSC Executive Director of Environmental Health, Security and Risk Management Jaime Salazar. “Although it’s still a work in progress, this center has been a year in the making, and it has allowed us to fully integrate an enhanced emergency management system.”

Kaitlyn Jeter earned an associate degree in General Studies in 2019 from Texas Southmost College, and said she credits TSC with giving her the first step she needed to pursue a college education.