Rep. Cuellar Announces Over $2.9 Million for TAMIU’s Advanced Curriculum and Research Program
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Oct 7, 2019, 0 Comments
Courtesy Leslie Martinez,
Program will prepare students for degrees in STEM and Social Science
Laredo, TX- Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz announced over $2.9 million for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) to advance opportunities for Hispanic students seeking graduate degrees in Social Science or in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).These funds, allocated through the Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program, will assist TAMIU in establishing the Advanced Curriculum and Research (ARC) Program.
“Our country’s economic competitiveness requires a workforce with a college degree, particularly in the science, technology, engineering and math sectors. But the education required to enter these fields is especially challenging or intimidating for some college students,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These funds will provide Hispanic and low-income students with additional resources and guidance to improve student retention and develop the next generation of highly educated minority professionals.”
“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have worked hard to increase funding for HSIs each year to help students overcome the financial and educational barriers of pursuing higher education. I will continue to fund programs that promote education, especially those which benefit underserved communities. I want to thank TAMIU President, Dr. Pablo Arenaz, and his team for their dedication to improving the college education experience of Hispanic and low-income students in the region.”
President of TAMIU Dr. Pablo Arenaz said, “As the University celebrates our 50th Anniversary, the TAMIU ARC Grant firmly positions us for the future. It will have a transformative effect, catalyzing graduate education across the University. We greatly appreciate Congressman Cuellar’s (’82) visionary partnership in securing this Grant. TAMIU ARC will truly be a game-changer: improving retention and graduation rates in all graduate programs. Its special focus on important STEM and social science areas make it an integral component in our quest for TAMIU to reach 10,000 students.”
TAMIU ARC principal investigator Dr. Jennifer Coronado, TAMIU Dean of the Graduate School, said the Grant will be research-based and applicable to HIS graduate programs across the nation.
“The primary objective of the TAMIU ARC is to conduct rigorous research to explore models of success for TAMIU graduate students. The centerpiece of this research project will be a long-term study of graduate student program enrollment, retention, graduation, and career placement and/or admission to other post-graduate programs. This study will have applicability to Hispanic Serving graduate programs across the nation,” Dr. Coronado explained.
