Summer Invasion Underway at TAMIU

Each summer, young students are the norm at college campuses across the nation, and Texas A&M International University is no exception. Added to the young mix this summer at TAMIU are hundreds of students participating in special summer programs.

"You could say we now have a summer invasion of kids underway here," explained Dr. Julio F. Madrigal, director of the Office of Special Programs which sponsors the majority of the programs, "At this time, about 10% of the campus population is comprised of students participating in special summer programs. It's part of our overall effort to bring kids to the University."

Sergio Barragan, precollege coordinator, described some of the summer programs drawing the younger crowd to TAMIU.

"Bridge to Success is a 10-week program sponsored by the South Texas Workforce Development Board and the Middle Rio Grande Workforce Board, and includes students from Laredo, Eagle Pass and elsewhere. Some 34 students are enrolled in the program that is now in its sixth year at TAMIU," he said.

"Also on campus for the next eight weeks are 234 students enrolled in the TexPREP program, now in its 18th year at TAMIU. This is a prefreshman engineering, math, science and technology program. Some program participants are concurrently enrolled in Calculus classes here. The program has been able to increase participation thanks to support provided by the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust."

The youngest group on campus ranges in age from 3 to 16, explained Jessica Villarreal, continuing education coordinator.

"These students are enrolled in our five-week Kinder Camp, Summer Children's Workshop, Summer Fine Arts Program or the Summer Academy. This is the 17th year the Children's Summer Workshop has been offered," she said.

Dr. Madrigal said that the programs, in addition to providing important educational opportunities, also have a definite impact on students' plans for the future... with TAMIU keenly involved.

"Most of these kids are planning on pursuing higher education, but being here on this campus and being able to sample what that future may hold is a real incentive for them. They develop a comfort zone with our campus and faculty. Each of these programs has a definite recruiting dimension and we see many students transition from summer programs to eventual enrollment here in the Fall or Spring," Madrigal explained.

For additional information on special summer programs at the University, contact Madrigal at the Office of Special Programs in Student Center 126G, call 326.2720 , email jfmadrigal@tamiu.edu or visit http://www.tamiu.edu/contedu/

TAMIU summer hours are from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday. All offices are closed on Fridays.

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