College Program Readies 10th Graders This Summer at TAMIU

Give your 10th grader the opportunity to go away to college this summer with Texas A&M International University’s College Readiness Program. The application deadline is May 19.

“We are starting the new program as part of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Texas Success Initiative. This project will include 500 10th graders attending Laredo Independent School District and United ISD whose TAKS scores for English Language Arts and Math are between 2100 and 2199. The goal of the Project is to increase the number of students scoring 2200 or above as a College Readiness Index (CRI),” explained Dr. Julio F. Madrigal, professor and director of special programs.

“Students are encouraged to apply early and mark their session preference on their application. The students will stay at the Residential Learning Community, but they will need parental consent to live on campus. The participants will be supervised by residential assistant (RA) with a ratio of 14 students to one RA,” continued Dr. Madrigal.

The Program will be split into two sessions, with 250 students per session. The first session will run from June 4 – 16 and the second session is scheduled for June 18 – 30.

“The program is free to the participants and is funded in part by in-kind and financial contributions from TAMIU and a grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,” Madrigal said.

In addition to free housing, students will also receive free meals, instruction in reading, writing and math, supplies, and on-campus amenities.

“We will also conduct parent meetings to raise the level of awareness related to college readiness, career readiness, work readiness, financial aid and admissions requirements,” Madrigal added.

Interested students may pick up an application from their high school counselors or can apply online at tamiu.edu/contedu

For more information, please contact Madrigal at 326.2700, e-mail jfmadrigal@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Student Center, room 118.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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