University Launches 'We're Here 4U' Program in Local High Schools

Texas A&M International University student recruiters are going back to school, every week, twice a week.

Student recruiters now make visits to high school campuses throughout the Laredo Independent School District and the United Independent School District as part of "We're Here 4 U," an outreach effort mounted this Spring.

Minita Ramirez, executive director of enrollment management at A&M International, said the initiative is aimed at helping students get the answers they need, when they need them and where they can use them.

"High school students are having to grapple with questions of their educational and career future daily and we believe that it's part of a University's mission to be able to provide them with answers that can help them make the best possible decision for their future. We believe that by being on hand, easily accessible and approachable, we'll help to reduce some of the misinformation about higher education and help provide students with the answers they need," she explained.

"By being on campus and developing a means of two-way communication with these student we can help them identify the higher education approach that can best benefit them. We believe A&M International offers remarkable advantages, but our primary interest is in helping to insure that they continue their higher education and secure brighter futures by doing so," she added.

Recruiters can help students to identify possible areas of degree study, address application deadlines, acquaint students with financial aid programs and provide them with checklists that can help them to pace their entry into higher education, Ramirez explained.

"When we say 'We're Here 4 U,' we mean it and we hope to be able to answer student questions on the spot or, at the next visit with them. On many visits, recruiters will be accompanied by members of our financial aid office and will be able to help students complete necessary paperwork for assistance, loans or scholarships. We're also encouraging them to bring any questions or concerns that their parents may have and we'll address those as well," she said.

Campuses, their visit days and times and respective recruiters are as follows:

Alexander High School - Tuesdays from 10:15 a.m - 12:40 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:15 - 3:30 p.m., Diedra Cantu.

United High School - Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:45 - 3:15 p.m., Gina De La Miyar.

United South High School - Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Armando Alvarado.

Cigarroa High School - Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Armando Alvarado.

Martin High School - Mondays, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Armando Alvarado.

Nixon High School - Tuesdays, 2 - 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:45 a.m. - 12 noon.

For additional information on the "We're Here 4 U" program from Texas A&M International University, call 326.2270, visit offices in Killam Library 158 or email to enroll@tamiu.edu

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