Laredo College Alumni Series

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 networking. They reflect on the importance of continuing to grow, staying connected to their roots, and following a path that allows them to give back to the community they love.

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 through her social media platforms. A Laredo College alumna who attended LC in 2017, Yolanda reflects on how her time at the college helped her become more independent and prepared her for her career.

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 Arts Complex and Frontera Beer and Wine Garden. A 27-year breast cancer survivor and community advocate, she continues the legacy her father began.#LaredoCollege #LCAlumni #AlumniSeries #LaredoProud #HigherEdSuccess #CommunityStories #PanAmericanCourts #FronteraBeerAndWineGarden

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 The University of Texas at Austin, he launched his career at the Laredo Morning Times and later joined the San Antonio Express-News, earning national recognition for his work.In this interview, Jerry reflects on the professors who shaped his path and shares a powerful message for today’s students.#LaredoCollege #AlumniSeries #JerryLara #Photojournalism #Laredo #SanAntonioExpressNews #LaredoMorningTimes