La Joya ISD Students Explore College Opportunities at Annual TACRAO College Fair
La Joya, TX - For high school students, deciding what comes after graduation begins with knowing what opportunities are within reach. On Monday, October 5, hundreds of La Joya ISD students took an important step toward life after high school at the district’s annual Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (TACRAO) College Fair.
The TACRAO College fair connects high school seniors directly with colleges and universities from across Texas, giving students the opportunity to explore their options, ask questions, and begin making informed decisions about higher education.
“Our goal is for every student to leave La Joya ISD knowing that there is a path forward for them and that they have the tools and support to pursue it,” said Melinda Flores, Executive Director of College & Career Success for La Joya ISD. “Events like the TACRAO College Fair put those opportunities directly in front of our students and allow them to see just how many possibilities are within their reach.”
Hosted at Palmview High School, the event brought representatives from various institutions, including South Texas College, UTRGV, Texas State University, Our Lady of Lake University, University of Houston, UTSA, and Texas Christian University.
Throughout the afternoon, students from La Joya High School, Juarez-Lincoln High School, Palmview High School, Jimmy Carter Early College High School and the College & Career Center spoke with admissions officials and gained insight on degree programs, financial aid, campus life, and asked the questions that matter most as they consider their next steps.
“The college fair helped me realize that I have more options than I thought,” said Kimberly Valdez, Senior at Jimmy Carter Early College High School. “Being able to talk directly with college representatives and ask questions about programs, financial aid and what their campuses are like made everything feel more real. I feel like I have a better idea of what I want to do after graduation.”
For some students, the fair provided an opportunity to learn more about institutions already on their college lists. For others, conversations with representatives introduced programs, career fields and universities they had not previously considered. That exposure is an important part of La Joya ISD’s work to create Empowered Graduates - a pillar in the district’s Achieving Excellence Together: 2030 strategic plan.
“Preparing empowered graduates means giving students both access and guidance,” added Flores. “Sometimes one conversation can change the way a student sees their future. We want them to leave us with a clear understanding of their options, confidence in their decisions, and a plan for what comes next.”
Beyond introducing students to colleges and universities, the District continues to provide college and career readiness support throughout the school year, helping students navigate applications, financial aid, scholarships and other steps necessary to turn their postsecondary goals into plans.
Through opportunities such as the TACRAO College Fair, La Joya ISD continues working to ensure students are exposed to the resources, information and connections they need to pursue their goals beyond high school.