TAMIU Meets Fall Student Needs With 84 New Support Staff

There’s no denying that students entering colleges and universities after 18+ months of COVID-19 Pandemic-distanced and technology-brokered learning may need additional help as they transition to a full campus experience this Fall at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).

TAMIU’s message to those students and their families: “we’ve got you covered and are ready to meet you wherever you are to help ensure your success.” 

Through federal funding, the University has dedicated some $383,146 to add visiting faculty, and expand mentors and tutors, supplemental instructors, and learning support specialists.  In total, 84 positions focused on helping students are being added this Fall, said TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz.

“We all have to realize that students:  freshmen, transfer, returning, undergraduate, and graduate will be presenting at the University with different levels of support needs.  In the instance of freshmen, many did not have a traditional learning structure for their last semesters in high school.  Transfers and returning students may also have needs that emerged through changes in teaching modalities or absences from campus. Everyone will have some form of adjustment. We pledge to meet them wherever they are and build up or restore their skillsets with scaled-up support dedicated to their success,” Dr. Arenaz explained.

A critical hub in the University’s focused initiative is its Academic Center for Excellence (ACE). It provides a one-stop center for academic success, with free tutoring and academic advising services both in-person and online, during flexible and extended hours of operation.

Dr. Barbara Hong, University College dean, said ACE provides free, subject tutoring such as reading content and writing courses to all students and one-on-one academic advising for freshman, transfer, and returning students. Students can also receive supplemental instruction in historically difficult courses integrating “what to learn” with “how to learn” concepts through weekly sessions.

“The mission of University College is to empower students to become competent, resilient, and self-determined life-long learners, and ACE was established to guide TAMIU students through their academic journey,” she said, “The ACE team is made up of highly-qualified and caring faculty and staff who are here to provide direction and personalized support so that students can successfully complete their education at TAMIU on time.”

Arenaz concurred and noted tutoring should never be perceived as a source of embarrassment.

“Nationwide, tutoring will be a key push this academic year. We’re actually embedding some tutors in classrooms to help students more directly access those services. No one should be embarrassed about seeking help.  This empathetic support helps students reach the needed standards to succeed in their University classes and, upon graduation, in their chosen careers,” he affirmed. 

All current, full and part-time students, whether undergraduate or graduate, are eligible to receive free tutoring and supplemental instruction services in convenient, easily accessible, online, and face-to-face formats, Dr. Hong said.  For more on ACE, visit: https://www.tamiu.edu/uc/ace/

Arenaz noted that this increased level of support, coupled with emergency grant assistance available to students this academic year, signals a rare advantage for students.

“This support is augmented by some $14 million in ARP emergency student grant assistance – over $7 million of which is available to students this Fall.  Add in our TAMIU Books IncludED program, which provides course materials free of charge, and students have some tremendous opportunities before them.

“I have been a part of higher education my entire career.  At no other time in our history has so much assistance been made possible for students.  The combination of this enhanced support initiative and assistance grants available, at no cost, can fundamentally change lives and ensure the brightest possible future for TAMIU students.  As parents and students consider their options, I ask them to consider TAMIU.  With all the local, state, and federal resources available here, we can help all students make that bright future real,” he concluded. 

TAMIU’s Fall 2021 Registration is now underway. For detailed registration information, visit go.tamiu.edu/registration21  

TAMIU’s Fall 2021 plans are focused on a return to a full and vibrant on-campus experience for all students, faculty, and staff at its 300-acre northeast Laredo campus. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Late registration ends Friday, Aug. 27.

For more information, contact the Office of the University Registrar at 956.326.2250, email registrar@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the University Success Center, suite 121.