Planning the Next 50 Years

Laredo Morning Times | lmtonline.com | Sunday, August 23, 2020 | E3 50th Anniversary ogy, engineering and nurs- ing,” he said. “We have also recently added degrees in public health as well as petroleum and computer engineering. Also included in our plans is a Center for Entrepreneurship and an In- cubator, a Center for Border Security and an Institute for Renewable and Non-Renew- able Energy.” In 10 years, the first phase of adding to the area includes a tennis complex which will start by moving the athletic facilities to the back 100 acres. The com- plex is a partnership be- tween the university and the City of Laredo, and it will be funded by the city. This will allow TAMIU to add tennis, men’s and woman’s track & field and beach volleyball over the next 5-7 years while keeping the academic focus for the existing campus. According to Arenaz, students and staff can also expect significant growth in engineering, biology, psychology, the humani- ties, nursing, education and business programs and de- grees. The proposed Center for Border Security and the International Institute for Renewable and Non-Re- newable Energy are being designed to expand research capabilities that are critical to the region. However, the university is not a one-person show. Hundreds of dedicated staff and faculty members strive for improvement each year, and many have their own goals to com- plete. Whether it’s athletics, humanities, science or any field of study, the directors at TAMIU also have a 50-year plan that should delight stu- dents who will be veterans in their fields and others who may be going to their first day of school at elementary. College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Claudia San Miguel, the Dean of the TAMIU Col- lege of Arts and Sciences, said that the largest and most comprehensive academic unit is currently in develop- ment. When finished, it will create new academic oppor- tunities and impactful re- search to benefit the people of the South Texas region and beyond. This will include three new degrees that are meant to diversify and enhance ca- reer choices. Among them are a doctorate in criminal justice and a bachelor’s in computer engineering and petroleum engineering. Both current and future students will have more choices, and over the years, more choices will continue to be added. In 2022, an master’s in systems engineering is planned to start in the fall. “The college is also an in- tellectual and research hub. We are proud of the numer- ous articles, books, creative works and performances produced by 100-plus fac- ulty members,” San Miguel said. “We are especially hon- ored that the college earned a highly-competitive research Photo Courtesy of TAMIU Pictured are plans for the city’s upcoming tennis complex that will be housed on TAMIU’s campus, enabling the school to expand its athletics programs over the coming years.