TAMIU Annual Report 2021

TRiO Student Support Services (TRiO SSS) commemorated its 20th Anniversary this year with a special ceremony honoring program students. At a 20th Annual Awards Dinner held in August, over 40 TAMIU students were recognized for their academic achievements and participation in the TRiO program during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years. Several students were recognized with an Academic Excellence Award for earning a GPA between 3.51 - 4.0. Recipients included Lesly Carmona, Joy Davis, Fatima Ibarra, Rodolfo Morales and Ever Palacios. Students earning a GPA between a 3.0 and 3.5 received the Academic Achievement Award. This year’s recipients were César Rodrigo Guerra, Mitzy Juárez, María Guadalupe Moreno, Haziel Mota, Marco Ortiz, Ana Toscano and Erestina Vela. During the Awards Ceremony, several University and TRiO program alumni shared testimonials, including Alejandro Costabella (’06, ’21). A TRiO program alumna who graduated as part of the University’s first TRiO program cohort, Costabella earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration. Other alumni included Brenda E. Briones (’05, ’15), who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in School Counseling; Hilda L. Enriquez Escalante (’06, ’21), who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration, and Juan J. Vegas (’06), who received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. TAMIU’s TRiO programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and provide academic assistance to eligible undergraduate students. TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES CELEBRATES 20TH TAMIU Books IncludED Food Insecurity Housing Medical Expenses Dental Expenses Counseling Expenses Technology Software Technology Hardware Utility Bills Essential Expenses Financial Hardship Transportation Daycare Emergency Grants Unique needs as a result of COVID-19 Pandemic Other $6,831,416 “Thousands of TAMIU students and their families have been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Through TAMIU CARES/ ARP funding and additional aid from non-governmental sources, we have been able to offer a true beacon of relief. We are truly thankful to our congressional delegation and The Texas A&M University System Emergency Regent’s Grant for their leadership on this.”  -- Dr. Pablo Arenaz, President TAMIU CARES AWARDS STUDENTS 26