Laurencio "Junior" Velasquez, College Navigator
My name is Laurencio Velazquez Jr. from Mount Vernon, TX, but you may call me Junior. While attending MVHS, I was honored to be chosen as a recipient of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club Motivational Scholarship to NTCC. At the time, I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to graduate from college — so much so that I chose not to purchase a high school ring, saving that milestone for college. I am a first-generation college student, and thanks to the Rotary’s generous scholarship, I could accomplish my goal of earning a degree.
My parents, Laurencio Sr. and Maria Velazquez, immigrated to the United States with no education beyond junior high and with little or no knowledge of English. My father learned English, earned his GED, and has proudly served with TxDOT for over 20 years. My mother has also built a successful career, holding a position with MVSID for more than 15 years.
After graduating from MVHS, I began my studies at NTCC with an initial focus on Graphic Design. However, during my first few semesters, I started working at a regional bank, which encouraged me to change my degree to Business Administration. I earned my Associate of Science and a Financial Accounting certification from NTCC in December 2012 and went on to graduate from Texas A&M University–Texarkana with my BBA in December 2014.
I am deeply grateful for the assistance, support, and patience of the professors at both NTCC and TAMUT @ NTCC. While pursuing my education, I worked my way up in the banking industry — starting as a teller at the Mount Vernon branch more than 15 years ago and eventually becoming AVP/Location President in Pittsburg, TX.
Although the bank provided invaluable learning experiences, I eventually felt it was time to begin a new chapter that would be more personally fulfilling. I am proud to now be part of this institution, which, though never part of a planned path, has played a significant role in shaping both my professional and educational success.
