TAMIU Annual Report 2021

TAMIU’s Graduate School saw an enrollment growth this Fall of 8.7% and Dean Dr. Jennifer Coronado says there’s a reason: new and enhanced programs that respond to market needs and student preferences. “We always strive to provide a graduate experience that can not only deliver enhanced career or professional growth, but can do so by being accessible, affordable, and convenient. To that end, we’ve moved our Master of Science in School Counseling to an online platform to help graduate students accommodate often busy personal and family schedules,” Dr. Coronado said. Other online programs include an Alternative Certification Program that can be completed in as few as 12 months and involves 18 credit hours of study. Online programs are also bringing additional Where sage brush and prickly pear once ruled, the sights and sounds of tennis will soon be seen and heard at TAMIU. In groundbreaking ceremonies last June, the City of Laredo introduced its Tennis Complex at TAMIU. The project grew from joint efforts by the City of Laredo Parks and Recreation Department, TAMIU Athletics Department, Laredo Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The University has leased the land to the City of Laredo. The City of Laredo Tennis Complex will be a state- of-the-art facility to include six National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) collegiate-level courts and 12 USTA recreational-level courts. It occupies some 11 acres of land. TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz lauded what he GRADUATE EDUCATION GROWTH DRIVEN BY ONLINE EXPANSION depth to the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business’ acclaimed Master of Business Administration (MBA) by incorporating special concentrations with measurable relevance for the MBA-hungry job market. “The MBA is the gold standard in Business, but also continues to have real-world application outside of conventional business settings. A graduate specialization can truly expand its value substantially. “We’ve added two Concentrations: one in Criminal Justice and the other in Healthcare Administration. Both are popular employment drivers here in Laredo and beyond. Each sees distinct applications of the MBA and we believe that graduates who bring these additional Concentrations to their employment gain distinct and measurable career advantages,” Coronado noted. called a “public-public” project. “This is a public-public project as we worked long and worked hard to get this done, in a great partnership with the City of Laredo. It’s a shining example of partnership with the City. We’re also planning the addition of collegiate- level tennis to our 11 NCAA Division II sports, and hope this will encourage local tennis players to stay here at TAMIU,” Dr. Arenaz said. The Complex includes multi-purpose areas, home-visitor locker rooms, concessions, a racket-stringing area, a training room, and an observation terrace. It supports the University by enhancing recreational sports, the College of Education’s Kinesiology program as well as student life and learning experiences. The project will cost approximately $7.5 million and estimated completion is early 2022. TENNIS WILL SOON SCORE AT TAMIU NEWS 6