Laredo College Alumni Series

In this episode of the Laredo College Alumni Series, Officer Roberto Vedia shares his journey from Laredo College student to a 17-year career with the Laredo Police Department. He discusses overcoming challenges, serving the community, and the lessons he’s learned in law enforcement. Hear his advice for future officers and how Laredo College helped prepare him for a career dedicated to service.

Marcella Juarez and Manuel Juarez Jr., owners of Palo Blanco Farm and Ranch, share how their journey began at Laredo College and grew into a business dedicated to providing healthy, sustainable, farm-fresh food to the community. After earning their degrees, they faced the challenge of building a business without a business background, learning through financial programs, social media, and networki...

Vanessa Ramirez, owner of Clementine’s Kitchen, shares how a lifelong love of cooking and a chance encounter led her to the Laredo College Culinary Arts program. From selling plates out of her home to launching a food truck and opening her own restaurant, Vanessa reflects on how her culinary education guided every step—and why she’s proud to be a Laredo College graduate.

In this episode, we feature Yolanda Villarreal, a weather anchor for KGNS and Telemundo. Yolanda shares her journey from starting as an intern at KGNS to achieving her goal of becoming a weather anchor. Through practice and support from the production staff, she earned her opportunity in 2021 on the morning show. Today, she delivers weather in both English and Spanish and reaches a large audience...

In this Alumni Series episode, Sandra Rocha Taylor shares her journey through Laredo Junior College, now Laredo College, and Laredo State University, now Texas A&M International University. Both campuses were located on Ft. McIntosh during her time as a student. She worked full time while earning her degrees, later returned to give a commencement speech, and now leads the Pan American Courts A...

From a darkroom in the Kazen Student Center to war zones abroad, Jerry Lara’s journey began at Laredo College. Award-winning photojournalist Jerry Lara has captured stories in Syria, Jordan, Bosnia, and Venezuela, but it all started at Laredo College, then known as Laredo Junior College. Born and raised in Laredo, he discovered his passion for photography as an LC student. After graduating from Th...