South Texas College Welcomes New CIT Faculty Member Ramiro Santos
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College (STC) proudly introduces its newest faculty member in Computer Information Technologies (CIT), Ramiro Santos, who reflects on his journey from a dual credit student at PSJA Southwest Early College High School to his role as a lecturer at STC.
Not long ago, Santos turned to STC faculty for guidance, discovering his passion for Computer Science. Now, at 23 years old, he’s back at STC, ready to inspire a new generation of students.
Santos recalls, “I had no idea what Computer Science was… I took my first class in high school and fell in love with programming.” His love for technology shortly led him to earn an associate degree in Computer Science from STC while still in high school. He then completed both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in the same field at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
His experience at STC proved especially impactful during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he found faculty support invaluable. “Teaching has become my passion because I understand that when you teach, you learn as well,” he said.
Santos gained teaching experience at UTRGV, working as a teaching assistant and eventually leading an introductory Computer Science course. “I aim to introduce students to possibilities like machine learning and cybersecurity,” he added.
One of his goals at STC is to create opportunities for students to participate in research, enhancing their academic experience. He’s dedicated to engaging students with current trends, including artificial intelligence and large language models, ensuring they leave college with substantial projects for their resumes.
“I want students to have as much experience as possible,” Santos emphasized, mimicking the support he received from STC faculty. CIT Assistant Professor Nicholas Hinojosa praised Santos’ achievements and his inspirational journey from student to faculty.
For more information on STC’s Computer Information Technologies program, visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/computer-info-tech/.
