"Come Home to Your University" Sets Schedule for Second Offering

An innovative community outreach program introduced last year to help bring the importance of higher education into the homes and hearts of Laredoans will begin Tuesday, January 18 at Cigarroa Community Center from 7-9 p.m.

"Come Home to Your University " is aimed at bringing the University's message and mission home to its community by sharing a lively and informative presentation that features University faculty and students, alumni and staff at various community centers. Refreshments are provided at each event, which is completely free of charge.

Mary Trevino, acting associate vice president for Student Services at A&M International, said the effort has proven successful and helps to bridge an information gap.

" We believe that efforts like this and our upcoming area-wide Financial Aid Fair help to bridge an unfortunate information gap about higher education. 'Come Home to Your University' lets our citizens know that higher education is an affordable and accessible necessity. Last year's programs were enormously successful and we're looking forward to getting out and visiting with our neighbors and helping to bring the University home to them," she explained.

University personnel will be on hand to provide bilingual information about the University, and assist attendees with financial aid information and admissions applications.

Current students and graduates from each neighborhood center area will offer their individual perspective on the University and higher education. The events will also feature entertainment by University performance groups and an opportunity for informal visits with University faculty and staff.

This year's schedule for the "Come Home to Your University" program is as follows. Registration begins at 6:30 with the program scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 18 - Cigarroa Community Center, 2201 Zacatecas, 795-3050.

Thursday, Jan. 20 - K. Tarver Community Center, 2902 Tilden, 795-3055.

Tueday, Jan. 25 - Farias Community Center, 1601 Farias, 795-3040.

Thursday, Jan. 27 - Northeast Hillside Community Center, 320 Wyoming, 795-3045.

For more information on the "Come Home to Your University" initiative or community presentations, please contact Veronica Gonzalez, acting director of Enrollment Management, at 326. 2270, or email to enroll@tamiu.edu

University office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 8 am.-5 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu