TAMIU, LCC Receive Over $3.4 Million in Federal Funding

Higher education opportunities for minority students at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and Laredo Community College (LCC) are brighter with the announcement of the awarding of federal grants totaling over $3.4 million.

On Thursday, Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82) announced the grants focused on helping minority students succeed in Science, Tech, Engineering and Mathematics Careers in ceremonies at Texas A&M International University’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.  TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck and LCC president Dr. Juan Maldonado joined him.

“Today’s award will grant the institutions the necessary resources for the next five years to enhance the preparation, retention, graduation and transfer rates of Hispanic and other minority students to the skilled workforce or baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate programs by outlining strategic plans focusing on student development, engagement, retention and graduation. As of the Fall 2013 semester, 94 percent of TAMIU undergraduates and 96 percent of LCC’s undergraduate population was Hispanic,” Cong. Cuellar explained.

Cuellar said the funds include an investment of over $2.7 million in federal funds for both TAMIU and LCC. The funds were awarded by the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program, an initiative intended to improve and expand education opportunities at institutions that serve a Hispanic majority in their student population.

Drs. Keck and Maldonado heralded the grants’ significance.

“This is a program which is breathtaking in both its scope and its simplicity. It holds dear the missions of both TAMIU and LCC and fully embraces a shared commitment to Build Scholars,” said Dr. Keck, “underpinned by student research and faculty development opportunities and girded further by infrastructure enhancements and coordinated campus resources, it will provide rich and relevant learning experiences. We strongly believe it will propel students to persist beyond the undergraduate degree to the graduate degree and the myriad of career and professional opportunities that unfold thereafter. We are deeply honored to have Congressman Cuellar’s unwavering support and vision guiding this and moving our students towards their highest personal realization.”

Dr. Maldonado concurred.

"Laredo Community College is elated to work with our sister institution, TAMIU, and Cong. Cuellar in continuing to expand opportunities and provide services that promote Hispanic students’ success. Knowing that Hispanic students lag behind at the state and national levels in high school and college completion rates, it is imperative that as predominantly Hispanic-serving institutions we work together," Maldonado noted.

“My office was able to help both TAMIU and LCC successfully apply for the federal funding they needed to better serve our local college students,” said Cong. Cuellar.

“Both institutions do an excellent job of educating and preparing our students to succeed not only in Laredo, but on a global level. This grant is an important investment in our students in higher education. But, more importantly, it is an investment in our community’s future workforce, ” he added.

Cuellar also announced a separate federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) for approximately $750,000 for a three-year program aimed at increasing the participation of under-represented minorities at TAMIU in science and engineering careers. 

Since 2001, TAMIU has received over $15 million in federal grants through the TItle V Program.

The day’s announcement of funding coincided with the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15. 

For additional information, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or click on www.tamiu.edu

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