As Texas Southmost College stands on the verge of its 100th anniversary milestone in 2026, the institution is not only reflecting on a century of service but also laying the groundwork for the next hundred years. In keeping with the celebratory nature of the upcoming centennial, the TSC Foundation is leading the launch of the college’s first official Alumni Association, a long-anticipated initiative aimed at strengthening ties between graduates and their beloved alma mater.
Spearheading this effort is a dedicated committee, all of whom are TSC alumni and TSC Foundation Board members, who are dedicated to honoring the legacy of TSC’s graduates while creating new opportunities for connection, mentorship, and pride. The committee is chaired by Dr. Norma Lopez-Harris, Secretary of the TSC Board of Trustees and Board member of the TSC Foundation, and also includes:
- Adela G. Garza, Chair, TSC Board of Trustees and Vice Chair, TSC Foundation
- Role H. Rodriguez, Agent, New York Life Insurance Company and Board member, TSC Foundation
- Joey Camacho, District Manager, Republic National Distributing Company and Board member, TSC Foundation
For Dr. Lopez-Harris, a significant part of the effort going into the creation of the association is motivated by her own personal experiences with the college.
“During my time as a student at Texas Southmost College, one thing that I came to quickly realize was how helpful the professors and staff were,” she said. “I’ll never forget the day I was given the opportunity to interview for the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas, and when I told my professors, they all worked together to set up a mock interview for me to help me prepare. I’ll never forget that.”
That early support left a lasting impression, which now guides her in her role on the college’s leadership team.
“Today, as a Board Trustee, it means a lot to me to be able to actively give back to the community because thanks to TSC, both myself and my siblings have our college degrees which were instrumental in our future success. We want to be sure that new generations of students are afforded with the same kinds of opportunities to further their education and create their own pathways to success in their lives.”
The Alumni Association is a direct response to that kind of transformational student experience. Committee members—many of whom are alumni themselves—view the centennial not just as a celebration of the past, but as a chance to reconnect with the thousands of graduates whose journeys began at TSC and recognize the lifelong value of that connection.
“I want to be able to help grow the association so that it can allow our alumni to look back and feel a sense of pride to have graduated from TSC because they’re part of the college’s legacy,” Lopez-Harris added.
Beyond pride, the Association is intended to become a vital resource that opens new doors for both alumni and current students.
“The association is so important because we can both give back to the college as well as help and guide alumni in many different ways,” she said. “For example, once the association is up and running, we can give our alumni a means through which they can find opportunities for networking, mentoring, possible jobs, and more.”
As the committee works toward the formal launch, hopes are high for widespread engagement and long-term impact.
“I hope to see a large number of alumni sign up for the association, and I hope that we are able to make a larger impact in helping future students by providing them with more scholarship opportunities.”
As the TSC Foundation steers the college into its second century, the Alumni Association will stand ready to serve as a living bridge between past and future, creating a community of Scorpions committed to celebrating where they’ve come from and lifting up those who come next.
