Parents, Students Transition at TAMIU Orientation

Like all parents, Raul and Irene Leal were worried about their daughter Melissa’s impending move to young student life as she readied to go away to college.

But they found comfort and confidence about the move when they joined Melissa at a special orientation event for parents and their students at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).

“Honestly, I thought I was going for an hour, but enjoyed the full day,” chuckled Raul Leal, “…we all feel it made a big difference in our understanding of University life at TAMIU.  It gave us a chance to reconnect with higher education and the services available to students in the 30 years since we were in college.   We were all impressed and we’re real happy with our decision and our daughter’s to go to TAMIU,” said Raul Leal.

The Leals are graduates of the former Laredo State University.  Both noted they were impressed by the quality of presentations and service at the TAMIU Orientation.

“The presentations were just great and there was excellent customer service…we were treated like royalty,” observed Irene Leal.

TAMIU organizers said the TAMIU Parent and Family Orientation has grown in popularity since first being offered in 2011.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in interest in this program.  We understand that all parents want to know that their student will be safe, comfortable and that their new home at the University will support them as they move through their undergraduate experience,” explained Jerry Alva, director of student affairs.

“We’ve prepared a special program that allows parents to learn how they can help their student succeed, while also affording them a chance to experience TAMIU traditions that are the foundation of student life here,” Alva explained.

“Both parents and students have an opportunity to meet with faculty, staff, and fellow new Dustdevil family members. TAMIU Parent and Family Orientation runs simultaneous to the first day of New Student Orientation: Dusty Camp,” he said.

The last opportunity for parents to participate in the Parent and Family Orientation will be Monday, Aug. 13.

For additional information and reservations, call the TAMIU Office of Student Affairs at 956.326.2280, email studentaffairs@tamiu.edu or click on “Orientation”  at tamiu.edu/studentaffairs

See an online gallery of TAMIU Orientation and student events at: https://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=192176032294

Effective Thursday, Aug. 9, TAMIU office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Student Affairs office hours are Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

University information is also available online at tamiu.edu, on the University’s social media sites on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and via TAMIU’s free smartphone and tablet app, available for download at tamiu.edu

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