Joey Gomez

MCALLEN, TEXAS – Growing up, Natalie Arredondo said it was only a matter of time before she found herself under the hood of a diesel truck.

Becoming fascinated by mechanic work early on through her father, a truck driver, Arredondo, 18, said she began taking courses in Diesel Technology as a freshman through South Texas College’s Dual Credit Programs at Weslaco East High School in 2021.

It was through STC that Arredondo said she saw an opportunity not just to learn, but to challenge the norms of a male-dominated industry.

Now several years later, Arredondo said she looks forward to receiving her Diesel Technology Associate of Applied Science degree from STC during commencement May 9-10.

She will be among the 3,715 students receiving their degrees during five ceremonies at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg.

“I have always loved cars and engines thanks to my dad, but really the thing that inspired me the most was proving myself as a woman in this male-dominated field. I was encouraged because I felt like I was being told not to,” Arredondo said. “So, what motivates me to keep going is just pushing myself and realizing that as a female I can do this. Now that I am graduating, I proved I could.”

Throughout her journey in the Diesel Tech program, Arredondo said she was the only student in her high school taking the courses, which enabled her to attend STC’s Technology Campus with traditional students, she said.

Now with graduation close, Arredondo said she recalls the goals and the positive mindset she developed as a young teen that enabled her success.

“I was 14 or 15 when I knew I had to push myself to do something really great in life and I feel I’m just getting started,” she said. “There have been struggles and obstacles so far, of course, but it just goes to show that if you are really looking to accomplish something you must make sure you follow through. For me, working through my dual credit classes to receive this degree has been so worth it in the end.”

For graduation information including commencement time and preparation visit www.southtexascollege.edu/graduation/.