TAMIU Alum Serves Community Through Pandemic, Offers Insight on CJ Program
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) alumnus Carlos Alvarez is no stranger to helping individuals in their time of need.
Alvarez is a Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper and has spent the past four years serving his community as a law enforcement officer, which has included assisting municipalities during natural disasters. His efforts have recently included providing screenings and aiding travelers entering the state through the Laredo International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As state police officers, one must respond statewide, and become front line assistance during statewide disasters,” explained Alvarez.
Alvarez, who graduated with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice in 2014 and 2016, respectively, attributes much of his continued success to the academic support he received at TAMIU.
“During my graduate and undergraduate years, I was amazed by all the student organizations available to join, and the mentor/mentee relationship with professors,” said Alvarez.
As a student, Alvarez helped establish the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society and participated in the Political Science Association’s international competition at the Eugene Scassa Model Organization of American States Summit, where he was the recipient of the Distinguished Budgetary Statement Award.
He also worked as a research assistant under former assistant professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Kelly Frailing, and presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
For Alvarez, faculty members who made a profound difference included Dr. Marcus Ynalvez, Dr. Frances Bernat, Dr. Heriberto Urby and Dr. Judith Warner.
Whether looking to pursue a career in law enforcement, corrections or the court system, Alvarez suggests prospective and current Criminal Justice majors start networking with their peers by joining a student organization and develop positive, working relationships with their professors.
“Seek mentorship under any professor from the College of Arts and Sciences. Get involved with student organizations that associate with your discipline. I believe success is like the fruit produced from the garden of knowledge and experience, passed down by great educators we come across in life,” Alvarez affirmed.
For more information on graduate degree opportunities, learn more about TAMIU Graduate School at https://www.tamiu.edu/gradschool/
Registration for Fall 2020 is now underway. TAMIUFlex, Hybrid, Face-to-Face and online courses will all have the same tuition rates. An online catalog containing a list of all undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs is at http://catalog.tamiu.edu
TAMIU ranks 5th in the nation among the 100 Most Affordable Public Schools with the Highest Return on Investment (ROI), according to ranking authority Great Value Colleges. U.S. News and World Report’s 2020 Edition of its popular Best Colleges guide ranks TAMIU as the second highest-ranked Texas public university in its Best Regional Universities West category and the highest-ranked regional campus of the Texas A&M University System.
Most recently, TAMIU earned a top tier ranking for its COVID-19 Pandemic response. The 2020 Educate to Career College ranking placed TAMIU in Tier I for colleges and universities that have responded to the pandemic in ways that benefit and protect students, especially in terms of available online learning resources. Some 1200 colleges across the nation were reviewed.
The University’s online COVID-19 Response Center is updated regularly and includes information on office schedules and services, an expansive FAQ, quick links, student resources, official information resources and much more.
As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAMIU’s campus is closed only to the general public. Entry to campus continues for students, faculty, staff and those having legitimate reasons to be on campus. Online and virtual services at the University continue, practicing all CDC Guidelines on gathering, masking and social distancing and with most staff working remotely.
Office hours are subject to change and it is recommended that phone or email contact be made first to determine the office’s schedule of operation. An online directory is here.
