Panhandle Times

Laredo Community College issued the following announcement.

Laredo College has been named as the #1 community college in Texas by BestColleges.com. This distinguished honor, paired with our recent ranking as the #1 community college in Texas with the least amount of graduate debt by CommunityCollegeReview.com and being named the #1 Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program in Texas by NursingProcess.org, reaffirms our place as the top higher education institution throughout our state.

BestColleges.com is an online resource that aims to help prospective students find the schools that best meet their needs through proprietary research, user-friendly guides and hundreds of independent college rankings. The site provides students with direct connections to schools and programs that suit their educational needs through their degree resources and program rankings. Their website states that rankings are intended to inform and guide prospective students toward institutions that provide quality education and meaningful learning experiences at affordable costs.

According to their website, the methodology for these rankings is grounded in statistical data and a few consistently applied guiding principles, including academic quality, affordability and online competency. The 2020 rankings reflect the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics

“As our entire Laredo College community celebrates this momentous accomplishment, we take a look back at when our history began 73 years ago,” Laredo College President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis said. “We were the first higher education institution in Laredo, and ever since then, Laredo College has lived up to its legacy of being a beacon of hope and a catalyst for growth and economic development in Texas. Our focus remains on our students and how to enrich and further their academic, professional and personal goals and aspirations.”

President Solis stated that this stellar designation would not be possible without our talented and skilled employees that uphold high academic standards of excellence.

“I feel privileged to lead such a well-rounded and dedicated group of men and women who are constantly at the forefront of innovation and looking for sensible and innovative approaches to 21st century educational needs,” he said. “This honor is the result of a concerted team effort on behalf of our Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty and staff.” 

Laredo College offers not only certified, award-winning programs, degrees and certifications but also vibrant student life activities, visual and performing art shows, a plant and wildlife preserveration center, extensive veteran services, continuing education courses and networking opportunities through our multiple partnerships with local, state and federal public and private sector entities as well as through our very own Laredo College Economic Development Center.

Some of our most prominent elected officials recognize the impact Laredo College has made in the lives of thousands of students. U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar and Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini both hold doctoral degrees and are ardent advocates for education. Their academic careers began at Laredo College, which set a strong foundation for their future educational pursuits.

“Laredo College being ranked as the number one community college in Texas is a testament to the incredible work being done by their faculty and staff,” Congressman Henry Cuellar said. “At the direction of Dr. Solis, Laredo College has been growing year after year - positively impacting students’ lives and advancing their skill sets to readily be able to enter the workforce. I’m proud to be a product of Laredo College.”

“As a former student, faculty member, and administrator at Laredo College—and now its state senator—I am delighted to hear it was named the best community college in Texas,” Senator Judith Zaffirini said. “Such a wonderful recognition is a testament to the college's strong leadership, dedicated faculty and staff, and, of course, unparalleled students.

Laredo College will continue to shine on its own merits. We look forward to continuing our trajectory of excellence and academic achievement by taking it to the next level as we bring new programs, course offerings, cultural activities and other student-driven pursuits to our region.

Original source can be found here.