Six Student Groups Win Service Learning Awards at TAMIU

A total of six Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) student groups earned top places for combining classroom learning with community service this week.

The annual TAMIU Service Learning Expo attracted group entries from a total of 240 students who utilized knowledge gained from their classes and research skills to partner with and assist various community-based projects.

Through video and poster demonstrations, Service Learning Expo participants told their project stories ranging from studies on how poverty affects cognitive development to hearing loss prevention.

The following students won top spots in video and poster presentations:

Videos:

1st Place: “Follow the Traveler, Multicultural/Multilingual International Service-Learning in Communication Disorders.” Winner: Damaris Cisneros.

2nd Place: Dream Big with SLiC, Sophomore Leaders Involved in Change.” Winners: April Jimerson, Luisa Garza, Kristina Vera and Irais Neira.

3rd Place: “The Life of the Hair Cell: Story Told Via Noise Exposure.” Winners: Carla Muñoz, Xiomara Morales and Rebecca González.

Favorite Video: “Communication: The Key to a Successful Career.” Winners: Patricia García and Casey Rodríguez.

Posters:

1st Place: “Factors of Poverty Affecting Cognitive Development.” Winners: Stephanie Domínguez, Thania Rios, Carmen González and Maribel Colchado.

2nd Place: “Building a Better Vocabulary.” Winners: Arturo Contreras, Christine Dixon, Jenny Salinas, Anizza Ramírez San, Juana Mejía and David Franco.

3rd Place and Favorite Poster: “Speech-Language, Service Learning: Screenings at an Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic.” Winners: Casey Rodríguez, Gabriela Landa, Damaris Cisneros, Ana Karen Ramírez and Rebecca Tenorio.

Dr. Marcela Uribe, program director for the Professional Resources Opportunity for Faculty (PROF) Center, said Service-Learning classes provide experience to students by pairing a TAMIU class with a local organization.

“Service-Learning allows students to explore connections between theory and practice, discover various venues for learning and learn about community organizations in the Laredo area,” Dr. Uribe said.

Community organizations that participated in Service-Learning this year include Boys and Girls Club, Literacy Volunteers of Laredo, Children’s Advocacy Center, Volunteers Serving the Need, PILLAR, Laredo Main Street Organization, Bethany House, Consulate General of México, Sacred Heart Children’s Home and Habitat of Humanity.

Also, Region Care, City of Laredo Health Department, Rio Grande International Science Center (RGISC), LVBISC, Dr. Erik’s ENT Clinic, Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing, Stella Maris School in Belize, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.     

For more information please contact Uribe at 326.3133, email marcela.uribe@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue And Radcliffe Killam Library, room 421B.

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