Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
McALLEN, Texas – For nearly two years, South Texas College Vocational Nursing Secretary Claudia Cantu has quietly helped keep the program moving forward, supporting students from their first days of orientation and registration through the moment they celebrate at pinning ceremonies.
Her dedication to students, faculty and colleagues, along with her willingness to step in wherever help is needed, has earned her recognition as STC’s 2026 Staff Employee of the Year for the Health Science Professions (HSP) Campus.
“Some days my job feels disconnected because I’m just in an office doing things, but at the end of the day, when I look at the big picture, especially when students are getting close to finishing, that’s when I see how everything we do supports them,” Cantu said.
Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Cantu, 33, is a mother of two and comes from a migrant family. She spent much of her childhood traveling across the country as her parents followed work opportunities in different states.
Cantu holds a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Education from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and initially envisioned a career in education. However, life took her in a different direction, leading to a series of administrative roles through which she discovered a passion for helping others.
“I originally saw myself going into education, but life happened and I ended up moving to the Dallas area with my now-husband,” she said. “At that point, it was about finding work, and I found a job I really liked where I started doing more administrative work. From there, I realized that was something I really enjoyed.”
When Cantu returned to the Valley, she continued building her experience through roles assisting Medicaid applicants at a plasma center and later at McAllen Medical Center. Years later, those experiences in healthcare and education came together when she joined STC in November 2024.
“When I started working for the college I was back in education, surrounded by healthcare and still helping people. It felt like all those different experiences had led me to STC.”
As secretary for the Vocational Nursing program, Cantu works closely with students throughout their time at STC, assisting with registration, orientation, student files and day-to-day questions while helping faculty ensure classrooms, supplies and other program needs are ready each semester.
“We start with them (students) from the beginning,” she said. “We register them, guide them through orientation and stay in communication with them every semester about anything they might need. Then you get to see them finish and graduate. It’s nice to see that whole process.”
As employee of the year, Cantu is one of five recognized across STC for exemplary performance and meaningful contributions to students, colleagues and the college community.
The recognition celebrates employees who go beyond their everyday responsibilities and embody STC’s core values of service, integrity, opportunity, excellence and caring.
“From the very beginning, Claudia has been a gift to our VN program,” said Jessica Neely, Vocational Nursing program chair. “She brings a rare combination of intuition, patience and unwavering dedication, often anticipating the next step before anyone has spoken it. What stands out most is her drive. Claudia approaches every challenge as an opportunity to grow, and her eagerness to learn has made her an invaluable part of our team. Our program is stronger because of her.”
Honored during STC’s Fall Convocation, Cantu received a commemorative plaque, a reserved campus parking space for the fiscal year, $1,000 and a $100 cafeteria lunch voucher from the STC Foundation.
“I knew at least one staff member and one faculty member had nominated me, and honestly, that alone meant a lot,” Cantu said. “This past year, I’ve really tried to be open to helping wherever I’m needed, whether it’s within our program or helping other areas when they were short-staffed. I don’t mind stepping in because the work must get done, and if I can make time to help, I will.”
Surrounded by students and colleagues working toward their academic and professional goals, Cantu said her time at STC has inspired her to reconsider her own. She now plans to pursue a master’s degree related to higher education administration.
“Being in a college environment makes you want to keep growing too,” she said. “That’s what we’re here for, to help our students grow, and being surrounded by that makes me feel like I can do it too. I want to continue learning, earn my master’s and hopefully continue growing here at STC.”
Ultimately, Cantu said the recognition has made her even more grateful to be part of STC.
“The fact that someone took time out of their day to sit down and write about me feels really special,” Cantu said. “It makes me even more grateful to be part of this community and to keep doing my part to help our students grow. At the end of the day, that’s what we’re all here for.”
For more information on STC’s Vocational Nursing program visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/vocational-nursing/.
Information source: STC
