A Brief History of Texas Southmost College
Vision 2026 Strategic Plan
Accreditation
Board of Trustees
TSC has a seven-member Board of Trustees who are elected at large by the electorate. The College’s taxing district is comprised of three independent school districts (ISDs): Brownsville ISD, Los Fresnos Consolidated ISD and Point Isabel ISD. TSC’s service area includes all of Cameron and Willacy Counties.
According to TSC Board Policy BBE (LOCAL), “the Board has final authority to determine and interpret the policies that govern the College District and, within the limits imposed by other legal authorities, has complete and full control of the College District.” The Board approves the budget, sets tuition and fees, appoints and evaluates the College President, and handles other matters relating to the College. Operations of the Board of Trustees are outlined in the TSC Board Policy Manual under Section B: Local Governance.
State Regulatory Agency
Established in 1965, the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is a statutory nine-member Board, representing the highest level of authority in Texas on matters of public higher education. The Board is appointed by the Governor and members serve six-year staggered terms. The Board administers State funding appropriated for higher education academic programs by the Legislature and is responsible for statewide planning and policy-making related to higher education in the state. As part of its responsibilities, the Board reviews and approves degree programs for public higher education institutions.
College Administration
The Office of Human Resources posts an administrative organizational chart on the TSC website. The college administration is as follows:
President
Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez
Gorgas Hall
956-295-3395
Vice President of Finance and Administration
Mr. Carlos Pecero
Champion Hall
956-295-3385
Vice President of Information Technology
Mr. Luis Villarreal
Old Education Building
956-295-3802
Vice President of Student Development
Dr. David Plummer
Gorgas Building
956-294-3738
Vice President of Instruction
Mr. Oscar O. Hernández
Gorgas Tower
956-295-3450
Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Relations
Dr. Stella Garcia
SETB
956-295-3394
Dean of Health Professions
Dr. Herminio Guajardo
ITECC H3A-234
956-295-3753
Dean of Arts and Sciences
VACANT
Dean of Business, Engineering, Architecture, and Technology
Dr. Emma Miller
ITECC 301
956-295-3568
Publications by the College
In addition to this Faculty Handbook, TSC produces several publications of importance to faculty. These publications include:
- TSC Board Policy Manual is the complete record of legal and local policies and regulations approved by the TSC Board of Trustees. Policies are available in HTML, Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat PDF formats.
- TSC Board Agendas and Minutes of regularly scheduled meetings, special board meetings, public hearings and board workshops are provided at the TSC website. Archives are available from September 2020 through the present. In addition, a video recording is provided for many Board meetings beginning in academic year 2020.
- TSC Catalog outlines a student’s rights and responsibilities and provides information regarding the academic calendar, admissions, assessment and placement testing, advising, transfer credit, tuition and fees, payment, financial aid, registration, adds/drops, withdrawal, developmental education, dual credit programs, student services, public safety, online learning, academic standards, graduation and degree/certificate programs. The publication is available on the TSC website or in hard copy at the Office of Admissions and Records. TSC catalogs from the academic year 2022-2023 to present are provided at the TSC website.
- TSC Self Service provides a list of the courses offered each semester and personal information such as tax and employee information.
- TSC Employee Handbook provides information applicable to all employees including: college leadership, at-will employment, workplace commitments, college policies and procedures, employment classification, attendance policies, leave policies, work performance, discipline, health and safety, benefits, and separation of employment.
- TSC Student Handbook describes the expectations for student behavior and conduct in the TSC community and outlines the procedures to be followed when these expectations are not met. It includes the Student Code of Conduct, as well as other rules, regulations, and policies governing student life. Student Handbooks from the academic year 2014-2015 to present are provided at the TSC website.