Pharr honors PSJA ISD students who completed city cybersecurity internship funded by Methodist Healthcare Ministries grant

The Pharr City Commission recognized students from PSJA Independent School District who completed a city internship through a grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries that supports digital‑literacy and cybersecurity training.

Jose Pena (introduced by staff) told the commission the grant began in 2024 and helped start the city’s digital literacy program. He said the internship has grown since inception: staff reported 10 interns in 2024, 15 in 2025 and a current cohort of 20, noting that 13 students in the group completed the city program and attended a recent STC graduation.

Pena said graduates received certificates in cybersecurity and, in some cases, associates credentials tied to STC coursework. The students worked with the city’s broadband customer service and digital‑literacy trainers, handling tech support and community outreach. “This is a paid internship,” a PSJA representative said, and last year several interns were hired full time by the city.

A cybersecurity instructor working with the program said students complete industry certifications (CompTIA and vendor certifications) and that some students have been recruited for jobs in Austin or enrolled at UTRGV and other colleges. The instructor noted entry‑level hourly opportunities: “they’ll be starting off at, like, $15.50 an hour,” he said.

The commission congratulated the students and encouraged continued partnership with PSJA and STC. Staff invited commissioners and family members to a reception after the meeting to celebrate the graduates.