Rio Grande Valley, TX (KRGV) — A Rio Grande Valley native serving as a Texas A&M student regent is leading a system-wide initiative to connect college students with essential resources.

Lisa Cantu, of Mission, is heading the program called "Stocked for Success." The initiative aims to provide students across the Texas A&M system with access to resources like career closets and food pantries.

"It's a two fold initiative, so first we want to show those who invest in our students what their impact looks like, we want to highlight their impact," Cantu said. "On the other hand and what's most important to me is that we make sure that the students know of the resources are available to them."

Cantu said she plans to visit all 12 member institutions during her time as student regent to hear directly from students.

"Throughout my time as student regent, I'll be visiting all 12 of our member institutions, visiting their resources from their career closets to their food pantries, listening to the students, hearing their stories, how has it impacted them," Cantu said.

Cantu said the initiative is personal. She used a career closet herself during her first year of college when she applied for a job as a tour guide.

"I personally have been impacted by our career closet, so my freshman year, very first year I went for a job as a tour guide," Cantu said. "I found an email telling me about the career closet and I decided to utilize those resources."

The program is backed by the Chancellor's Century Council and is designed to remove financial barriers that can get in the way of a student's education.

"Sometimes students may have to decide between their tuition and their rent or tuition and having groceries for the week, so we as these resources want to make sure they have them, so they don't have any setbacks," Cantu said.

Cantu said growing up in the Valley shaped her drive to help others.

"Throughout my time in the Valley, I have always felt this sense of community and that is something that is carried with me every day and something I am always able to witness when I'm in the Valley," Cantu said.

Cantu hopes students will feel that same sense of community through "Stocked for Success" and feel comfortable asking for help while pursuing their college goals.

Lisa Cantu is made in the 956.