Mega Doctor News
By Selene Rodriguez
For South Texas College faculty member Teena Jacob, DNP, teaching is another form of caregiving. She approaches her students with the same compassion, patience and attentiveness that have defined her career as a nurse, helping them grow into confident, skilled healthcare professionals.
That dedication to teaching, mentoring and serving others has earned Jacob recognition as STC’s 2026 Faculty of the Year, an honor recognizing her extraordinary contributions and service to the college’s mission.
“Teaching gives me the opportunity to touch the lives of patients I may never personally meet by preparing nurses who will care for them with competence, dignity and compassion,” Jacob said. “Every student has the potential to grow when they are supported, challenged and encouraged. That’s why I truly enjoy what I do.”
Born and raised in India, Jacob developed a passion for nursing at an early age, inspired by the values instilled in her family and a lifelong commitment to serving others.
“When I reflect on my life, I realize that the foundation of who I am was built long before I became a nurse or an educator. I grew up surrounded by people who believed in serving others, which I believe is why my sisters, several of my aunts and I became nurses,” she said. “My mother cared for neighbors, relatives and anyone in need with a generous heart, while my grandparents taught us that kindness, compassion and service are life’s greatest gifts. Looking back, I believe nursing wasn’t simply a career choice. It was a calling from the heart.”
Jacob began her nursing career after earning a diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery in 1998. She later completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2004 while gaining experience in emergency medicine, medical-surgical nursing, intensive care, maternal health and labor and delivery.
Along the way, she also discovered a passion for teaching, mentoring nursing students while continuing to care for patients.
“Nursing allows us to care for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives,” she said. “Throughout my career, I have witnessed how a knowledgeable and compassionate nurse can reduce fear, prevent complications and bring comfort to patients and families. That is something I strive to instill in every student I teach.”
Jacob moved to the United States in 2005, where she completed the requirements to obtain her registered nurse licensure. She went on to build her career in labor and delivery, caring for women and newborns while earning an Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification and expanding her clinical expertise.
“Working in labor and delivery became my passion because I had the privilege of witnessing new life every day,” she said. “Sharing in the joy of families welcoming a new baby was incredibly rewarding. I decided to stay in the specialty, earned additional certifications and worked there for 14 years.”
In 2019, Jacob brought her years of clinical experience to STC as an adjunct faculty member before accepting a full-time position the following year.
Since then, she has taught courses across all levels of the Associate Degree Nursing program, with assignments that vary each semester based on the program’s needs. Whether in the classroom, simulation lab or clinical setting, she draws on her experience to ensure students learn through real-world clinical experiences.
“Teaching is much more than sharing knowledge,” she said. “It is about inspiring confidence, developing clinical judgment and preparing compassionate nurses who will provide safe, high-quality care.”
Jacob said serving STC students has been especially meaningful because many are first-generation college students, working parents or individuals balancing careers, family responsibilities and higher education.
“What makes STC special is its commitment to accessibility, student success, workforce preparation and community transformation,” she said. “The college does not simply provide education. It creates opportunities for families to build a better future.”
While teaching full time, Jacob continued pursuing her own education, earning a Master of Science in Nursing Education and a Master of Business Administration in 2019 from Grand Canyon University before completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership from Post University in 2026.
For her doctoral degree, Jacob recently conducted research at STC examining how high-fidelity simulation influences the clinical judgment of graduating nursing students, reflecting her commitment to continually improving the way she teaches.
Using a simulated acute kidney injury case based on clinical situations commonly encountered in the Rio Grande Valley, she evaluated how simulation prepares students to think critically, make sound clinical decisions and provide safe patient care.
“High-fidelity simulation is one of the most valuable teaching strategies I use because students learn more effectively when they actively participate. STC provides us with incredible resources to do so,” Jacob said. “The findings reinforced the value of immersive simulation in strengthening students’ clinical judgment and preparing them for professional practice.”
Jacob said her research is just one example of the ADN program’s commitment to continually strengthening student learning and preparing future nurses for practice.
She credits the program’s collaborative culture, innovative learning resources and shared commitment to student success for helping graduates achieve a 99.43% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, the licensing exam required for registered nurses. The program’s pass rate is the highest in Texas among nursing schools of comparable size.
“The only reason we’re able to achieve this kind of success is because of teamwork,” Jacob said. “Nursing is a rigorous program, but being available to our students makes all the difference. When they share challenges they’re facing, we connect them with resources and support across campus. I’ve seen students completely turn things around simply because they reached out for help and hearing them say that encouragement kept them from dropping out is incredibly rewarding.”
Humbled to be named STC’s Faculty of the Year, Jacob said her greatest reward is not the honor itself, but the opportunity to help future nurses discover their confidence, overcome challenges and ultimately make a difference in the lives of their patients.
“My focus has always been on helping students succeed and supporting the nursing program in every way possible,” Jacob said. “This award is not mine alone. It reflects the support, collaboration and dedication of our nursing faculty, department leadership and the incredible students who inspire us every day. I am grateful to be part of a team committed to excellence in preparing the next generation of nurses.”
Information source: STC
