$3.5 Million Title V Awarded to TAMIU, LCC for Math Programs

Washington, DC- Today Congressman Henry Cuellar, together with officials from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU)  and Laredo Community College (LCC) , announced the awarding of a federal grant in the amount of $3.5 million to the Mathematical Department at LCC.

The Title V grant was awarded to the lead agency, LCC, and its partner, TAMIU, to improve the academic recruitment and retention of Hispanic students and other low income individuals.

The Title V project is central to both institutions’ comprehensive development plans to improve the teaching and learning process of Hispanic students and low income individuals who make up over 90% of the student population at these institutions.

“Good mathematical skills are so prevalent in today’s technological society,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28).  “Knowing our two institutions of higher education will now focus more energy on developing students’ math skills brings hope of graduating students in fields that are essential in today’s world.”

The Title V grant will be used in part to develop the following:

• improve student achievement in mathematics by offering tutorial and counseling services;
• provide computer labs for mathematics and related fields;
• provide faculty development in curriculum design, working with diverse student populations, assessment and instructional strategies through the use of technology;
• provide support to the Council on Educational Excellence to expand the opportunities and improve the academic attainment of Hispanic students in the Laredo area;
• create an endowment to support college students who have excelled in rigorous high school programs.

Dr. Dan Jones, TAMIU provost and vice president for academic affairs, stressed the importance of the award.

“This Title V grant is important because it provides a robust arsenal of student support for both our primarily Hispanic-serving campuses. Through the grant, middle, high school, LCC and TAMIU students will draw immense benefit from  the use of tutorial and counseling services, the embrace of technology-driven instructional strategies by highly-trained faculty and, most importantly, dedicated, multi-pronged efforts targeting student retention and graduation.”

Tomás Rodríguez, TAMIU student and member of the Mathematical Society of TAMIU said the impact of the grant will help students appreciate math and become better memebers of society.

“The impact of this grant through tutoring and counseling services in the Mathematics and related sciences will help mold our student body into one that is more appreciative of Mathematics and its relatives. Providing computer labs for Mathematics will help students become more interactive and have then relate Mathematics to our technological world. Providing professional development for faculty will assist them in creating resources and activities that will create relevance between the subject and our environment. This relevance is crucial in not only helping the learning process but also molding us into alumni that are civically active and can apply our knowledge to our surroundings to create a better future.”

LCC President Dr. Juan L. Maldonado said the college is pleased to have garnered the federal support with the help of Congressman Cuellar.

Dr. Nora R. Garza, vice president for resource development at LCC was equally excited about the funding, “As a Hispanic Serving Institution, Laredo Community College is committed to its mission of making higher education accessible to all. With the support of the Title V Cooperative Development grant, we will be able to achieve greater strides in meeting our goals to help more students achieve brighter futures,” said Dr. Garza.

Officials say they will measure the effectiveness of the grant with several target goals, including:

• providing at least 500 students with tutoring assistance
• having 75% of students receiving tutoring pass mathematical courses with a “C” or better
• having 75% of student receiving tutoring pass the tests required for their respective discipline.

For more information, please contact the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar at 725-0639, TAMIU’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, or LCC’s Office of Marketing and Public Relations at 956.721.5140.

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