New Year at TAMIU Brings Promise of Campus Additions, Changes
The New Year will see Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) chart new growth on campus, in the classroom and for the community.
TAMIU continues its ascendancy as the regional university of choice through various rankings and awards received this past year. Each has helped to pave the way for the campus’ planned growth.
TAMIU ranked third among U.S. Colleges for Hispanic Students by the College Database; ranked in the top 5%, (23 out of 684) by Washington Monthly Magazine and ranked 35 in the Top Public Schools (Regional Universities West) of 1800 institutions surveyed by US News and World Report.
In addition, The Chronicle of Higher Education cited TAMIU among the nation’s fastest growing public master’s institutions in its “Almanac of Higher Education 2013.” The Princeton Review ranked TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business third in the nation for “greatest opportunity for minority students.”
“It certainly does help to generate additional student interest and enrollment when our strengths and values are recognized like this,” said TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck.
In part because of the increased enrollment interest, TAMIU has now extended its marketing and recruitment efforts to include on-site recruiters for its expanded recruitment in Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio and the Valley.
The campus’ growth and projections for more have fueled the University to revisit its Master Plan, Dr. Keck noted.
“We have been blessed to receive, from the State and from private philanthropy, a magnificent institution of higher learning. We now work diligently to preserve and expand these gifts in ever more creative ways to put the American dream of higher education in reach of all committed to pursuing it. Part of that means looking clearly into the future and envisioning how the campus should look in five years, 10 years and more,” he added.
Central to that revised Master Plan will be the proposed creation of an on-campus major athletics complex, Keck said.
“With a 300-acre campus, we have room to grow and are eager to partner with both the City and County to develop a major athletics complex for the region,” he noted.
For 2014, TAMIU’s growth will be most immediately measured on academic, facility and outreach fronts.
Academics
On the academic front, the University is expanding its online offerings. The University’s online RN to BSN Program has proven quite popular and additional online areas include MBA offerings in both English and Spanish, as well as graduate online offerings in Criminal Justice and Public Administration and a new Masters degree in Language, Literature and Translation.
The University is rapidly developing additional areas based on undergraduate students’ needs and preferences with an additional focus on creating hybrid graduate degrees that mine strengths and opportunities in healthcare, business, public administration and compliance areas.
This Spring, the University moved to dynamic scheduling, a model of course offering providing greater flexibility for students to compress and shorten some undergraduate and graduate courses. Courses will be offered in mini-mesters of 5 weeks, sub-terms of 7 weeks and flex-terms of 12 weeks with different entry points and times.
The University is also reaffirming its commitment to Study Aboard options for students. The latest Study Abroad opportunities have included initiatives in Belize, Costa Rica, Chile and South Africa.
Facilities
The Student Center expansion is nearing completion and will open later this Spring. It will house a student computer lounge and expand Dusty’s Diner seating. TAMIU dining options now include a Chik-fil-A Express.
Other construction projects scheduled are the addition of cardio and weight rooms to the Kinesiology, Wellness and Recreation Center and a new track and field facility.
Bicycling trails have also recently been added to the campus.
Outreach
Through its research enterprises and long-term community outreach efforts, the University continues to underscore its position as the community’s cultural and intellectual center.
With the addition of the University’s first E. H. Corrigan Organ University Organist, South Africa native Dr. Colin Campbell, the University aims to grow its organ program and performance profile internationally through participation in various concert circuits, collaborations with schools, appearances in organ festivals and other promotional activities.
The organ initiative will complement the University’s long-standing tradition of hosting and presenting artistic, athletic and cultural events through existing partnerships with the Laredo Phil, Laredo Philharmonic Chorale, the Laredo Theater Guild International and others.
The University’s popular Dustdevil Athletics Program has also provided a powerful bonding opportunity for fans of all ages with game attendance mushrooming with successful team records in 11 NCAA Division II sports.
Keck said the door is opened wide for TAMIU in 2014.
“We continue to imagine the American dream, our shared view of what this country offers humankind. Education opens the path to that dream, and TAMIU is keenly positioned to show the way and lead us through the door to that dream, that future,” Dr. Keck concluded.
For a look back at the past year in the life of the University, please visit the University’s digital 2013 Annual Report, located online at http://tamiu.edu/annualreport/
University information is also available at tamiu.edu, or by calling the TAMIU Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180. Information can also be found on the University’s social media sites on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
A free smartphone and tablet application is 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