LC and TAMIU Forge Shared ‘Pathways’ for Student Transfer

Laredo’s two institutions of higher education, Laredo College (LC) and Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), have always shared a commitment to the success of the educational opportunities for the community.  And now they’re fully aligned and committed to a shared process that helps LC students navigate a streamlined transfer pathway to TAMIU that helps ensure no credits are wasted.

LC and TAMIU heralded this shared journey at a press conference Thursday in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Colonnade for the Fall launch of “Pathways,” a transfer program affirming this new alignment and “Pathways” forward.

TAMIU interim president Juan J. Castillo said the process was complex and inclusive and provided both institutions with an opportunity to assess long-established operating standards that could be revised and often improved.

“We began this process over six months ago and met regularly with our LC colleagues to map out stress points students were facing and determine course-by-course transferability and better ways to align.  We also examined how each of our internal processes could be optimized and streamlined to focus on a mutually beneficial transfer experience for our students.  LC has historically been our greatest source of transfer students, and the Pathways project not only recognizes this, but celebrates its pivotal role in TAMIU’s enrollment growth,” Castillo observed.

LC president Dr. Minita Ramírez concurred, noting that LC takes tremendous pride in preparing its students for success should they transfer to complete an undergraduate degree.  She believes “Pathways” establishes a positive experience for LC students transferring to TAMIU.

“At Laredo College, we believe that every student’s journey deserves clarity, purpose and opportunity,” Dr. Ramírez said, “The Pathways initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to student success and institutional collaboration. Working alongside our colleagues at TAMIU, we’ve created a seamless transfer experience that honors the hard work of our students and ensures their academic momentum continues uninterrupted. This partnership reflects our shared vision of empowering students to thrive, not just transfer.”

Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said today’s technology helped accelerate the Pathways resolution.

“We worked from pivotal groundwork established by a previous Memorandum of Understanding with LC to develop user-friendly, web-accessible transfer guides for degree programs, or Pathways, that quickly and nimbly share the acceptance of credits applicable to the plan’s degree program in real-time. 

“We built on our foundational institutional collaborations, including guidance on admissions and recruiting, and the opportunity for the completion of an associate’s degree or reverse transfer. The end product boosts awareness, understanding, and confidence in the transfer process for LC students,” Dr. San Miguel said.

LC provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Marisela Rodríguez Tijerina agreed that the opportunity to work with TAMIU to mutually assess programs and connectivity was valuable.

“The Pathways collaboration has been a transformative experience for both institutions,” Dr. Tijerina said. “It allowed us to engage in meaningful dialogue, assess our academic frameworks and co-design a transfer model that truly serves our students. By aligning our programs and processes with TAMIU, we’ve built a bridge that supports students from their first class at LC to their final degree at TAMIU. We’re proud to be part of a partnership that places student success at the heart of everything we do.”

TAMIU vice president for Enrollment Management Juan G. García, Jr.  explained how the Pathways program will work for LC students.

“LC students will identify the Pathway they are choosing based upon their major with their LC advisor. This selected Pathway provides the vital framework for future advising by showing students exactly which LC courses will transfer seamlessly to their eventual TAMIU degree program.  The student’s selected Pathway is shared with TAMIU prior to transfer. 

“By choosing a degree Pathway early in their studies, LC students benefit from Pathway curriculum alignment and streamlined advising. It can also help save money and reduce time to degree completion.  These Pathways establish an easy path forward and ensure that, at the time they transfer to TAMIU, no credits are wasted.  In fact, transfer students will begin enrolling in 3000- and 4000-level courses immediately upon transfer, moving directly into upper-division coursework aligned with their chosen major,” García explained.

He noted a dedicated website provides clear information on Pathways designed in agreement with LC for each of TAMIU’s four Colleges/Schools.

In addition, other transfer resources for students are available online on TAMIU’s Transfer Student Resource Page including the recently launched Transfer Calculator.

TAMIU maintains an on-campus Transfer Office at the LC Ft. McIntosh Campus, located in the Lerma Peña Building. Call 956.326.2774 or email transfer@tamiu.edu. Staff will answer questions and provide personalized guidance for LC students considering transferring to TAMIU. 

In-person and virtual appointments are also possible. To schedule an appointment with TAMIU transfer regional advisors, visit the dedicated Appointments page at appts.tamiu.edu.

LC students may also contact LC advising coordinator Juan P. García, Jr. at juan.garcia1@laredo.edu or 956.764.5745.