Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) hosted a Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its newest facility the Dr. Daniel P. King PSJA College & University Center on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. 

This remodeled facility, which re-opened in the fall of 2018, houses various PSJA ISD programs and Early College initiatives. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, it serves as a college styled campus for students engaged in specialized programs in partnership with various colleges and universities. South Texas College is the primary partner, but University courses are also offered through the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Texas A&M University Kingsville. Other higher education institutions will soon be joining the partnership.

“This campus represents the future, past, and present of PSJA ISD,” said PSJA School Board President Jesse Zambrano. “Over the last 12 years, Dr. King has helped transform the district. Today, we want to honor him for all the work that he has done.”

This work has graduated thousands of students from high school with a head start on their college work and with up to an Associate Degree from South Texas College before receiving their high school diploma. 

PSJA has established itself as the state and national leader in Early College Education. It is this work and Dr. King’s philosophy of truly providing "College For All" that has impacted not only the students pursuing these opportunities, but their families and in turn the entire tri-city community.   

“From the State Capitol to everywhere I go, they are always talking about the work here at PSJA ISD. The changes Dr. King has made are revolutionary. The lives he’s changed and the things he’s done for our city, our community, our state and nation are remarkable,” said Texas House Representative Terry Canales. “If I had to describe PSJA ISD, I would say it is the sun and the rays have lit the entire county of Hidalgo and stretched across the great State of Texas.”

Representative Canales also presented Dr. King with a resolution for his retirement and a Texas Flag flown over the Capitol.

The College and University Center was the capstone project for Dr. King’s vision for designing an early college school system that has the potential to connect every student to and through post-secondary education and into a successful career. This was made possible, in part by his ability to find funding, in this case approximately $30,000,000, the majority of which came from zero interest federally supported bonds to be repaid with no interest over a 15-year period.  As this campus represents his vision for the district, it is only fitting that it bears his name.

With emotion, the tenured Superintendent who has completed a total of 20 years as Superintendent and 42 years in public education thanked God, first and foremost for his guidance, his wife Sara King and his children and rest of his family for supporting and believing in him.

“Thank you to my PSJA Family for the support,” said Dr. King with emotion. “I want to thank all of our incredible teachers and counselors. Our faculty for leading the way at every level. We couldn’t do it without you.”