46 Complete A&M International's "Bridge to Success" Program

Forty-six recent high school graduates from throught out the Middle Rio Grande area successfully completed Texas A&M International University's "Bridge to Success" program this summer and are now continuing their higher education.

Martha S. Treviño, coordinator of Pre-College Programs at A&M International, said "Bridge to Success" is a free 10-week summer residential program that allows participants to enroll in summer courses while living on campus at University Village.

"The program enables talented high school graduates to better their lives through higher education. It provides University-level educational experiences to students who may have thought higher education was beyond their reach. Best of all, 'Bridge to Success' is provided at no cost to students and is part of the University's outreach commitment to its service communities," explained Treviño.

She noted that one advantage of the program is that students get a great head start at the University.

"Bridge students can enroll in summer courses to earn 9 semester credit hours. By having these students enroll in the summer, we can show them what life on campus is all about so that by the start of the Fall semester they are better prepared for the challenges of a University. When they complete the program, they know what an excellent opportunity A&M International offers them to earn a post secondary degree plus they learn about financial aid availability and about the unique programs we offer such as internships and student exchanges abroad," she said.

"Bridge to Success has made a remarkable difference in the lives of its participants. Since it was first launched in 1998 over 95% of Bridge program graduates have continued to pursue their higher education. This program has the potential to enable students to better their lives, expand their educational horizons, and enrich their minds and lives through higher education," Treviño explained.

Students who completed this summer's Bridge program were Miguel Aguirre, Ricardo Balderas, Hugo Barrera, Erick Campos, Jessica Cardenas, Ana Castilla, Areli Cervantes, Ariel Cervantes, Rey de los Santos, Jacqueline Espino, Sandra Flores, Azalia Gomez, Gina Gonzalez, Robert Grosland, Cynthia Gutierrez, Stacy Guzman, Jennifer Hernandez, Joseph Holland, Cindy Jennings, Rachel Kennedy, Dulce Leon, Jesus Lopez, Bereniz Martinez, Monica Martinez, Jose Medina, Brenda Meza, Jacob Miranda, Molly Montalvo, David Montejano, Juanita Montez, Alfredo Moreno, Antonio Navarro, Jose Navarro, Osiel Ortiz, Adriana Perez, Erica Perez, Michelle Perez, Raquel Ramirez, Arthur Romo, Daniel Saenz, Veronica Silvas, Maria Southmayd, Maribel Urrutia, Elizabeth Vasquez, Denisse Venero, and Raymundo Zapata.

They came from Dimmit, La Salle, Zavala, Valverde, Real, Kinney, Uvalde, Maverick, and Edwards counties.

The Middle Rio Grande Workforce Board in Uvalde provided $393,997 in support of the program.

For more information on A&M International's "Bridge to Success" program, contact Treviño at (956) 326-2765 or visit the Office of Special Programs in Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, suite 332. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

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