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Building Scholars Logo

Title V - Building Scholars is a partnership between Texas A&M International University and Laredo College to increase the number of Hispanic and low-income students attaining post-secondary certifications, associate and bachelor’s degrees. It aims to prepare students to compete for positions in graduate and professional schools, thus increasing the competency and diversity of our workforce.

View the Program Brochure


About Us

Building Scholars consist of activities developed by Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and Laredo College (LC), formerly known as Laredo Community College (LCC), including:

  1. Provide undergraduate research and presentation opportunities across disciplines and develop a summer research week,
  2. Implement a program for departmental faculty to teach University Seminar 1102 to first-year students that is discipline specific,
  3. Provide specialized resources and instruction for all developmental students,
  4. Improve the number of full-time students who have a developmental background that persist and graduate,
  5. Fund travel to professional conferences for training, building collaborations & presenting research results,
  6. Host an annual faculty development training for faculty at both institutions,
  7. Perform analysis on current protocols for sharing data and make recommendations and improvements, and,
  8. Track student progress and retention.

TAMIU and LC jointly serve the predominately Hispanic community, a group historically underrepresented in research careers and positions of leadership in the nation. The goal of this program is to increase the number of Hispanic and low-income students completing a college degree.

Students in the Chemistry Lab
Students Kayaking in the University's Pond
Students in the mechanical shop

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Objective 1: Increase student preparation, engagement and retention
Objective 2: Increase financial resources allocated for faculty & student development
Objective 3: Gather, analyze and use data to improve student retention, persistence and graduation rates


Sharing Building Scholars

Building Scholars
Officials of Texas A&M International University and Laredo Community College join Congressman Henry Cuellar for the announcement of federal grants. Grant for $2.7 million, will be shared by TAMIU and LCC and will focus on the preparation, retention, graduation, and transfer rates of Hispanic and other minority students to the skilled workforce or baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate programs.

“Today’s award will grant the institutions the necessary resources for the next five years to enhance the preparation, retention, graduation and transfer rates of Hispanic and other minority students to the skilled workforce or baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate programs by outlining strategic plans focusing on student development, engagement, retention and graduation. As of the Fall 2013 semester, 94 percent of TAMIU undergraduates and 96 percent of LCC’s undergraduate population was Hispanic,” Cong. Cuellar explained.

“This is a program which is breathtaking in both its scope and its simplicity. It holds dear the missions of both TAMIU and LCC and fully embraces a shared commitment to Build Scholars,” said Dr. Keck, “underpinned by student research and faculty development opportunities and girded further by infrastructure enhancements and coordinated campus resources, it will provide rich and relevant learning experiences. We strongly believe it will propel students to persist beyond the undergraduate degree to the graduate degree and the myriad of career and professional opportunities that unfold thereafter. We are deeply honored to have Congressman Cuellar’s unwavering support and vision guiding this and moving our students towards their highest personal realization.”

"Laredo Community College is elated to work with our sister institution, TAMIU, and Cong. Cuellar in continuing to expand opportunities and provide services that promote Hispanic students’ success. Knowing that Hispanic students lag behind at the state and national levels in high school and college completion rates, it is imperative that as predominantly Hispanic-serving institutions we work together," Maldonado noted.

Since 2001, TAMIU has received over $15 million in federal grants through the Title V Program. Posted: 9/25/14 by the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services (see the full article for more details).


United States Department of Education seal

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education

Award #: P031S140130