With Laredo being the number one inland port in the United States and Laredo College ranked the number one community college in Texas, the coalescence of this success has once again borne fruit.
This week, Regional President of the Texas Border Market for PNC Bank Susana Meléndez Valencia presented a $10,000 check to the college in support of the newly-formed Laredo College Global Import, Export and Logistics Center. This donation will help initiate the Customs Trade Lab.
Current and prospective students will be able to take advantage of the center and lab for an experience that is steps-above pure lecture. This innovative hub will provide them a dynamic experience with current logistics software that will better prepare them for the workforce.
According to Valencia, the center is an innovative step to prepare them for their future careers in trade and logistics. She is proud to support the college’s goal of empowering students with the powerful tools they will need and use in the workforce.
“It’s no secret that education can lead to higher income, more opportunities, better health and a better community,” Valencia said. “That is the core I believe of any city or any organization is to have a good education so that we can have a better quality of life. It gives me great pride to make a contribution to the Laredo College Education Foundation. PNC recognizes that we are only as strong as the community we serve and supporting our local education institutions is key to building a better community.”
LC Dean of Workforce Education Heriberto Hernandez said that this initiative will help students hit the ground running early on in their academic journey and benefit them as they make the transition into the workforce.
“The idea is to create a dynamic center where students will get actual hands-on experience with the software, the processes they will see once they hit the job market in the logistics industry,” Hernandez said. “Students are not just going to learn from theory, but they’re actually going to be putting into practice the necessary skills that employers will demand.”
It is also worth noting that the timing of this generous donation also coincided with International Customs Day. LC invites and encourages those in the community with an interest in customs, logistics and/or trade to call 956-764-5968, email
joinus@laredo.edu or visit
www.laredo.edu/admissions for more information on how to get started on their career.
