TAMIU Annual Report 2022

UNIVERSITY DONORS 2022 Sames Scholars were introduced at a gathering at TAMIU. Accompanying the students was Sames Scholars Program Founder Elizabeth Sames, second row, right. The newest high school Sames Scholars cohort was introduced this summer at a gathering at TAMIU. The Sames Scholars Program is a college-bound mentorship program that pairs high school students with TAMIU faculty mentors throughout their high school experience. Upon high school graduation, it offers students a four-year scholarship to TAMIU including tuition, books, and fees. Founders Hank and Elizabeth Sames are celebrating the 20th year of their unique scholarship program providing funds, mentors, and support for first- generation and high-risk college-bound high school students. The Sames Scholars program, founded in 2002, pairs United Independent School District high school students with TAMIU faculty. Program mentors meet with the students on their high school campus monthly to help keep them on track for graduating, planning for college, and encouraging the students to strive for excellence. The students are chosen in their freshman year in high school. If they meet all criteria during high school, the students receive a TAMIU four-year scholarship totaling $16,000. The newly-introduced high school cohort and their respective high schools included: Cynthia Mata and Julia Paredes - United South High School; Amberly Herrera - United High School; Diego Hernández and Marco Antonio Rodríguez ; Alexander High School - Jorge A. Jaime , Julieta Castañeda and Yadhira Téllez - Lyndon Baines Johnson High School. To date, 80 students have graduated from college with a total of over $1.8M in program funds provided. The mentorship program currently has 44 students enrolled in high school and college. 2022 SAMES SCHOLARS COHORT INTRODUCED AT ANNUAL ORIENTATION 11