Mega Doctor News
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – Students in the Rio Grande Valley are entering a new era of opportunity defined by growth in science, technology and innovation.
That is the message from South Texas College leadership, educators and industry trailblazers who used the college’s recent Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Summit to push for courage in order to effect change.
Success will depend on students’ willingness to aim higher, think bigger and embrace challenges, according to STEM Summit keynote speaker, Cardiologist and Astronaut Dr. Eiman Jahangir, who addressed the hundreds of students who gathered recently at STC’s Pecan Campus.
“My hope is that students stay encouraged to go and do the hard things,” Jahangir said. “A lot of these students may have dreams that they think are impossible, but I hope they go and do it anyway, no matter how crazy it may seem.”
Jahangir, a Vanderbilt University Medical Center physician who has trained extensively in human spaceflight and traveled to space as a member of Blue Origin’s New Shepherd-26 launch in 2024, said students in the region are uniquely positioned to benefit from a shifting economic landscape, with companies tied to aerospace, technology and advanced manufacturing fueling a growing presence in South Texas.
His message aligned with the Summit’s broader goal, which is to connect to real-world opportunities in STEM.
“The future is looking bright because these students are going to have opportunities that their parents didn’t have,” Jahangir said. “STEM is playing such a big part of what is happening here in McAllen and across the region.”
That transformation is something STC leaders say they are witnessing firsthand.
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., highlighted the importance of adaptability, noting that future careers will require continuous learning through certifications, specialized training and constantly evolving skillsets, especially as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies reshape the workforce.
“It’s not only about degrees. It’s about the ability to learn and relearn,” Solis said. “STEM pathways are not only expanding but becoming essential across industries. As students, you all are on the right track because these pathways are opening up so many new opportunities.”
Ali Esmaeili, Ph.D., STC dean of Math, Science and Bachelor’s Programs, described the Valley as an emerging STEM-driven region where education and workforce development must evolve together.
Esmaeili referenced increased industry investment and student interest in fields once seen as difficult or out of reach, adding that today’s learners are more prepared than ever to meet the demands of a changing workforce.
“We have no other choice than educating our students about what is happening in our region,” Esmaeili said. “This growth in STEM, education with the workforce working together is going to transform our region but we haven’t even scratched the surface. Our students have the ability to take this region to the next level.”
