TAMIU Annual Report 2018

2018 Annual Report / IMPACT “In 1990, only 11%of Laredoans over 25 had a Bachelor’s degree or higher. By 2016, that number had increased by 58%.” Dr. Pablo Arenaz, President This last year certainly has been an exciting one for us at Texas A&M International University. Last fall, we enrolled over 7,600 students, a record. We also had the largest freshman class in our 24-year history on this campus. This Fall, we exceeded those numbers, increasing enrollment by over 4% to nearly 8,000 students. In addition, for the first time in our history, we were ranked in the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges in the West.” Why am I talking about enrollment? Because I want to demonstrate the impact we have had on this region. This Annual Report is all about the IMPACT TAMIU has had on Laredo and the surrounding region…and we have had a major impact. In 1970, when then-Texas A&I University at Laredo opened its doors, 285 students enrolled in three undergraduate programs. Today, nearly 8,000 students are enrolled and we offer 93 different undergraduate or graduate degrees. In 1972, we awarded 127 degrees; this past year, we presented nearly 1,500 diplomas. So…what has been the impact of all those graduates? In 1990, only 11% of Laredoans over 25 had a Bachelor’s degree or higher. By 2016, that number had increased by 58%. Another example of TAMIU’s impact on the region is in upward income mobility. TAMIU has been recognized as one of the top three universities in the country for advancing upward income mobility of graduates. Most incoming students have a family income around $30,000, which puts them in the bottom 40% for income. The income of the average graduate from TAMIU 10 years later is in the top 40%. One year after graduation, over 78% of our graduates are employed, a number well above the Texas average. As you can see, the IMPACT TAMIU has had on Laredo and the region we so proudly serve is significant. Our gaze ahead remains fixed on a future rich in promise and lives forever changed. The broad spectrum of stories within this Annual Report attest to that impact. To ensure that impact is extended and sustained, we’ve launched Imagine 2045, a committee of University and community members charged with developing a long-term vision for TAMIU. How might we extend our impact? What can we do to sustain this? What should we anticipate and how can we build and marshal forces to address variables seen and unseen? Imagine 2045’s report will be unveiled during our 25/50 Anniversary Cel- ebration next year. Look for more on our 50 th Anniversary Celebration in the coming months. In the meantime, let’s take a look back at an IMPACT measured and shared. Message from the President Our Impact: Measured and Shared 2