Laredo College Faculty Spotlight

Laredo College Government Instructor Maximiliano Zapata brings a unique perspective to the classroom, having been elected to public office at just 22 years old. In this Faculty Spotlight conversation, Zapata reflects on his experiences in public service, his unexpected journey into education and his passion for teaching civic engagement. He also discusses his interactive teaching style, his involv...

Meet Lupita Salinas, one of Laredo College’s newest faculty members and an instructor in the new Bachelor of Applied Technology in Data Analytics program. In this episode of Faculty Spotlight, Salinas shares her journey from teaching high school biology to working in healthcare and now helping LC students prepare for careers in data analytics. She also discusses the growing importance of data-driv...

From a small village in China to a career in engineering and education around the world, Dr. Dacun Li’s journey is one shaped by perseverance and a belief in the power of education. In this episode of Faculty Spotlight, Dr. Li shares his remarkable path and his passion for helping Laredo College students succeed. He also celebrates a major milestone, earning tenure and becoming a full professor of...

For nearly five decades, George “Eddie Mac” Macdonald, Jr. has been part of the Laredo College story. A former LC student who returned as a faculty member in 1979, Macdonald has witnessed generations of change while building a career centered on teaching, service and student success. In this Faculty Spotlight, he reflects on 47 years at LC, his 30-year military career, the evolution of technology...

Government professor Lizette Henry shares the journey that led her from a small town and an unexpected start in beauty school to a 25-year career in education. She discusses her passion for government and history, her approach to creating an open and respectful classroom, and how continuing her own education has shaped the way she connects with students at Laredo College.

Dr. Selinda Martinez has spent more than a decade at Laredo College sharing her passion for biology and helping students discover where science can take them. In this Faculty Spotlight, she reflects on her journey as an educator, the experiences that shaped her teaching and why she believes learning never stops, even for the professor at the front of the classroom.

In this episode of Faculty Spotlight, we sit down with Brenda Carmona, director of the Instructional Technology Center at Laredo College. Brenda discusses how the ITC supports faculty and students through innovative technology, emerging educational tools and hands-on learning experiences. She also shares her journey to Laredo College, her passion for education and how technology continues to shape...

In this episode of Faculty Spotlight, we sit down with Linda Ramirez, Professor of Business Management at Laredo College. Linda shares her journey from Laredo College student to educator, her passion for teaching business, and how she helps students prepare for successful careers. The conversation also explores the impact of social media and AI in education, the evolving mindset of today’s student...

Dr. Rafael Romo has been part of Laredo College for 10 years, but his journey started much earlier. He began coaching at just 17 years old while he was a student at Laredo College himself. Today, he brings that same passion into the classroom, teaching kinesiology along with courses in health awareness and drug use and abuse, which he calls an eye-opener for students. His philosophy is simple and...

In this episode of Faculty Spotlight, we visit the kitchen at Laredo College’s South Campus to meet Alejandro Casillas, a Culinary Arts instructor whose journey came full circle. After earning a bachelor’s degree in dance from UTRGV, Alejandro followed his passion for cooking and enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Laredo College. He later returned as an instructor and has now been teaching a...

Blanca Magaña-Shehab, a Vocational Nursing instructor and lab assistant, has been part of Laredo College for 14 years. After working as a floor nurse, she was encouraged by an LC professor to apply when her natural connection with students stood out. She takes pride in making a difference not only in patients’ lives, but in their families’ lives as well. Currently pursuing her master’s degree, she...

Professor Brenda Garcia, Chair of the Cosmetology Department, moved to Laredo in 1996 without knowing English and began learning the language in high school. A Cigarroa High School graduate, she discovered her passion for cosmetology when a friend signed her up for classes. Licensed since 2000, Garcia has spent the last decade teaching future cosmetologists, including seven years at Laredo College...

Professor Gloria Castillo, Chair of the Child Development Department, began her journey at Laredo College as a student. One of her professors, who had also been her kindergarten teacher, helped inspire her career path. Since joining LC in 2004, Castillo has dedicated herself to shaping future educators and helping students build strong foundations, just as she once did with children in her own cla...

Director of Computer Sciences and Technology and the Cybersecurity Institute, Tekuani Perez first discovered computers at age seven; but his path wasn’t a straight line. After studying music and spending a decade in warehouse work, he returned to school at Laredo College, where his journey in technology began. Now pursuing his doctorate, Perez continues to teach while leading LC’s growing programs...

Born and raised in Laredo, Music Instructor Luis Leal is the director of Mariachi Los Palominos—a group he helped bring back to LC. A proud graduate of Cigarroa Middle and High School, he discovered his love for music as a young violinist and later earned his master’s degree in Latin Music Performance after reflecting on his path during COVID. Now in his second year at LC, Leal hopes to inspire st...

For Professor Eddie Vandewalker, teaching and music go hand in hand. Originally from Oklahoma, he shares his love for both with students at Laredo College and at the high school level. In just two years at LC, he’s come to appreciate the historic Fort McIntosh campus and says he hopes to make this his home for the rest of his career.

Originally from Ohio, Dr. Joe Crabtree moved to Laredo in 1997 to join Laredo College as Professor of Music and Voice. Now in his 28th year at LC, he has performed in three languages on two continents, lent his voice to commercials—including Super Bowl spots—and currently serves as President of the Laredo Philharmonic.

Juan Saldivar spent 10 years as an over-the-road truck driver before becoming a CDL instructor. He taught at a private company before joining Laredo College and is state-certified to train students for their commercial driver’s license. 🎧 Recorded using podcast equipment purchased through a grant from the Women’s City Club. #LaredoCollege #FacultySpotlight #CDLInstructor #LCFaculty #TruckDriving...

Julie Kelly discovered her love for field biology as a young migrant worker. Now in her 10th year at Laredo College, she shares that passion with her students—and with the community as president of the Bird Club of Laredo. 🎧 Recorded using podcast equipment purchased through a grant from the Women’s City Club. #LaredoCollege #FacultySpotlight #Biology #LCFaculty #BirdWatching #WomensCityClub

Freddy Garcia was just 9 when he started learning about cars in his dad’s mechanic shop. Now, he’s the department chair for Transportation & Technology at Laredo College—and a collision repair professor. He inherited his dad’s restoration shop, and his lifelong passion drives everything he teaches. 🎧 Recorded using podcast equipment purchased through a grant from the Women’s City Club.

Originally planning a career in occupational therapy, Mary Provence found her true calling after a life-changing visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. Since 2006, she has made Laredo her home, inspiring students through art at Laredo College. 🎧 Recorded on location with podcast equipment purchased through a grant from the Women’s City Club.

For 17 years, Dr. Jose Ramirez has shared his love of history with students at Laredo College. Inspired by one of his own professors, he now passes that passion on to the next generation. 🎧 Recorded using podcast equipment purchased through a grant from the Women’s City Club.

Before stepping into the classroom, Rene Montemayor spent 12 years in the music industry as a drummer. Now department chair for English, Languages, and Cultural Studies, he still teaches—and brings that same creative energy to his students every day. 🎧 Recorded on location with just an iPhone – real stories from LC faculty. #LaredoCollege #FacultySpotlight #EnglishDepartment #LCFaculty #FromMusic...

Dr. Carolina Ramos once dreamed of being an investigative journalist—until a professor sparked her passion for teaching. A proud Laredoan, she’s taught at two other universities and now shares her expertise with students in speech and the BASORGL program at LC.🎧 Recorded on location with just an iPhone – real stories from LC faculty.#LaredoCollege #FacultySpotlight #SpeechInstructor #BASORGL #LCF...

After a career in the medical field, Erica De Leon found her second calling in teaching. With a fun, positive attitude, she loves working with students at both campuses—and learning from them along the way. 🎧 Recorded on location with just an iPhone – real stories from LC faculty. #LaredoCollege #FacultySpotlight #Kinesiology #LCFaculty #PositiveTeaching