LCC Students ‘Focus’ on Success at TAMIU Orientation

Close to 50 student participants in the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Title V-“Focus on Student Success” program, a cooperative agreement between Laredo Community College (LCC) and TAMIU, attended their first Student Orientation at TAMIU’s Student Center last week.

Funded by a $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the program facilitates the transition of students from the community college level to a four-year comprehensive university, TAMIU.

TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck provided the students with an enthusiastic welcome and challenged them to realize their dreams and become “Powered by TAMIU.”  Special presentations were made by TAMIU math faculty member Dr. Rohitha Goonatilake and TAMIU chemistry faculty member Dr. Alfred Addo-Mensah.  Students also enjoyed a campus tour conducted by TAMIU students and participated in career assessment tests.

Other presentations helped them to navigate financial aid and tuition; learn how both professors and students recommend that students can attain success, and how tutoring and student organizations can help further secure a successful student experience.

Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82), who was pivotal in securing the program’s five-year funding, met with students earlier in the week.

“I thank LCC and TAMIU for their commitment to a project dedicated to the betterment of our Laredo students, which is crucial to increasing student success, retention and graduation in our community, ” Cong. Cuellar has said previously.

TAMIU provost Dr. Pablo Arenaz  said the program links LCC and TAMIU’s shared values and missions.

“This is a remarkable example of our institutions’ shared values and mutual desire to advance our community together.  Innovative programs like ‘Focusing on Student Success’ improve the ease and transparency of transfer between LCC and the University and help students maintain a laser-focus on degree attainment.  We are certain this program will dramatically increase the number of students who secure four-year degrees.  We are deeply appreciative of the leadership and partnership provided by Congressman Cuellar in securing this critical funding,” said Dr. Arenaz.

Program directors hope that by providing early intervention they’ll encourage student retention, helping students successfully transition to TAMIU to realize their educational and career goals through higher education.

For more information about the program, contact TAMIU associate vice president for Academic Affairs Mary Treviño, project co-investigator, at 956.327.2275 or email maryt@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