Five Educators Named Recipients of 2023 Zaffirini Teachers' College Student Loan Debt Grants
The holiday season will arrive earlier than expected for five Laredo educators who were named recipients of college student loan debt grants through a program established by Carlos Zaffirini, Jr. honoring his mother, State Senator Judith Zaffirini.
During a reception held Tuesday, Dec. 12 at Texas A&M International University's (TAMIU) Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, the 2023 recipients of The Senator Judith Zaffirini Teachers' College Student Loan Debt Grant Program were named.
The honorees, recognized for their outstanding dedication to Laredo students, are as follows. Four of the five are TAMIU alumni, with their graduation year noted in parentheses.
Dr. Amede Rubio (’11), is a TAMIU College of Arts and Sciences instructional assistant professor of Biology. He earned his doctorate in Plant and Soil Science with an emphasis in Restoration from Texas Tech University in 2020.
Maritza Morris (’12, ‘14), is an associate professor of History and assessment coordinator at Laredo College, and a current doctoral student at Baylor University. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts in History and Master of Arts in History and Political Thought from TAMIU.
Kimberly Equingua (’20), is a teacher at Raymond and Tirza Martin High School and the Dr. Dennis D. Cantú Early College High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a Master of Science degree from TAMIU.
Christina Dominguez (’15), is a teacher at John B. Alexander High School’s 9th Grade Campus who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from TAMIU.
Dean Ramiro Garza, is a mathematics and campus minister/theology teacher at St. Augustine High School. He holds a Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Oblate School of Theology.
Each honoree receives $2,500 to help reduce his or her college student loan debt. To qualify, teachers must have taught in Laredo for at least five years, have a college student loan debt of at least $5,000, and be selected by their institution, based on program criteria. The Laredo program was launched in 2018 and expanded to southeast Austin in 2019. Participating institutions select their respective recipients each year.
For more information, please contact the TAMIU Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.
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2023 Zaffirini Teachers' College Student Loan Debt Grants recipients were presented and honored at Texas A&M International University Tuesday. Seated recipients are, left to right: Dr. Amede Rubio, TAMIU instructional assistant professor of Biology; Maritza Morris, Laredo College associate professor of History and assessment coordinator; Dean Ramiro Garza, mathematics and campus minister/theology teacher at St. Augustine High School; Kimberly Equingua, teacher at Raymond and Tirza Martin High School and the Dr. Dennis D. Cantú Early College High School, and Dr. Linda Mitchell, accepting on behalf of Christina Dominguez, a teacher at John B. Alexander High School’s 9th Grade campus. Back row, left to right, Dr. Lola Norris, interim TAMIU dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Pablo Arenaz, TAMIU president; State Senator Dr. Judith Zaffirini; Dr. Olga Gentry, St. Augustine High School principal; the Honorable Judge Victor Villarreal, County Court at Law II; Associate District Court Judge David E. Garcia, and Dr. Minita Ramirez, president, Laredo College.
