TAMIU Annual Report 2018

2018 Annual Report / IMPACT It’s not often that a 19-year-old makes history, but Analyssa Ayala may be getting accustomed to doing just that. Ayala was in the first cohort of students to graduate from the TAMIU Frank and Julieta StaggsAcademy New Academy Name Honors Julieta and Frank Staggs TAMIU celebrated the unveiling of The Julieta and Frank Staggs Academy of International and STEM Studies this past September. Previously known as the Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies, the Academy’s name change honors the longtime impact of benefactors Frank Staggs and his late wife, Julieta. Created by State Senator Judith Zaffirini and authorized by the 79 th  Texas Legislature in 2005, the Academy is an innovative, University-level institution on the TAMIU campus. It is designed for highly gifted and motivated high school juniors and seniors focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and International Studies. of International and STEM Studies…and also the first graduate to earn a bachelor’s degree from TAMIU last December. Ayala earned a degree in Psychology fromTAMIU, and said attending the Texas Academy was beneficial to her as she was able to save on tuition costs while accelerating her degree attainment. “In addition to saving money, another benefit to attending the Texas Academy is the experiences the school provides,” she said, “You can participate in all the extracurricular activities TAMIU offers, do research with amazing professors, and Study Abroad.” She continued, “TAMIU transformed me as a person by making me a responsible and mature adult. Since I started college at such a young age, I had to leave the high school mentality aside. The Academy allowed me to develop the right habits of mind and molded me into a responsible individual in order for me to do well in my studies.” She is currently completing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She intends to pursue a future in Counseling Psychology and become a licensed professional counselor. “I am going to pursue my life-long goal of opening my own counseling practice,” she said. “TAMIU transformed me as a person by making me a responsible and mature adult.” - Analyssa Ayala First Staggs Academy Grad Makes History 13