Rolando Herrera, an alumnus of La Joya Early College High School, has had a journey marked by rapid academic achievements and professional milestones. From an early college student to navigating the world of professional accounting, Rolando Herrera's career has now led him back to La Joya ISD, where it all started.
Speaking about his time at La Joya ECHS he recalls, “because of their guidance and mentorship, I was able to gain my bachelor’s in accounting at 20 and then my master’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at 21.”
His academic dedication would go on to open doors to prestigious opportunities.
“Eventually [I was] able to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the leading ‘Big 4’ accounting firms in the world right after my master’s degree,” Herrera said.
Despite his success, he felt a pull toward the community that had given him so much, and he returned to La Joya ISD as a district accountant.
"La Joya Early College High School and everyone working there always saw a light in me that sometimes I didn’t see in myself. The determination and dedication that the staff had will forever impact me," Herrera reflects on his educational journey.
Herrera's presence in the district sends students a powerful message: their education is the foundation for their future achievements. It's a story of coming full circle, from a student absorbing lessons in the classroom to an accomplished professional imparting inspiration.