TAMIU Celebrates Milestones with 55th Anniversary, Historic 9,000+ Fall Enrollment, and Naming of Seventh President
On Tuesday morning, October 7, 2025, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students, faculty, staff, and alumni joined to celebrate milestones in the life of the still-young University.
“55 Years of Making Milestones, A TAMIU Celebration” kicked off the University’s 55th Anniversary with the latest pivotal moments in its history: the University’s largest enrollment in its history, 9,000+ students, and the appointment September 18 by The Texas A&M University Board of Regents of TAMIU’s seventh President, Dr. Christopher Maynard.
Dr. Maynard stepped on board just last week and said he is impressed by the campus’s legacy and promise.
“Texas A&M International University is a nationally ranked, regionally focused university with a rich and proud history of delivering transformative educational opportunities that change the trajectory of our students, their families, and South Texas. This University’s impactful force is delivered daily by over 486 gifted faculty members from around the world, leading 55-degree programs at bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels...all on a dynamic residential campus that’s just posted its highest enrollment in our history.
“In the short time I have been here, I’ve seen the remarkable commitment, pride, and affection for this University that’s palpable throughout the region. I am honored to be able to extend TAMIU’s 55-year legacy and ensure that the promise and success of the future begins here, focused clearly on student success,” Dr. Maynard said.
Tuesday’s celebration was enjoyed by students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike, as they led a spirited countdown to reveal the University’s record-breaking enrollment and enjoyed “9K” cookies, miniature deer and ducks, and a giant inflatable version of the University’s popular mascot, Dusty the Dustdevil towering at near 10 feet tall.
The University’s 9,000th student, Mel Velazquez, a TAMIU freshman, and a Lopez Scholar majoring in Criminal Justice, was on hand for the celebration.
As the Fall semester of this 55th Anniversary year began, TAMIU students found a growing range of support services to enhance and inform their University experience.
As the Fall semester of this 55th Anniversary year began, TAMIU students found a growing range of support services to enhance and inform their University experience.
From 24/7 tutoring services, expanded advising, and mental health services available in multiple languages to streamlined transfer pathways, an integrated library system, and a mobile app that enhances campus safety, the student experience at TAMIU is abuzz.
Also available are new outdoor adventures in kayaking, student-dedicated evenings at the award-winning City of Laredo Tennis Complex at TAMIU, an intuitive and feature-rich e-book experience, 32 new faculty members, expanded online offerings, and early morning and late-night class options.
Maynard said these initiatives and others are part of what he calls a “no boundaries and no barriers” University experience.
“Support at TAMIU should know no boundaries and no barriers. For example, our Student Affairs division looks at ways to help students thrive through programs that address basic needs, hardships, and life circumstances with our Dusty Food Pantry, a parenting students program, and support for students with foster care experience,” he said.
Maynard noted other campus offerings further expand on the University experience, albeit in different and perhaps surprising ways.
“We have found that our students really love coffee...and gathering over a cup or two to discuss classes, internships with faculty, or graduation plans. To complement our Starbucks, we have added Costa Coffee operations in four campus buildings.
“In a pilot with our Student Government Association, we are offering TAMIUNoodles, a ramen noodle bar on campus. Finally, because information sharing on campus is vital to our TAMIU community, we have expanded indoor and outdoor digital kiosks across campus with five new locations to deliver a steady stream of event announcements, opportunities for engagement, and general awareness,” he said.
Maynard said the University’s celebration is just beginning.
“We are celebrating 55 years of serving South Texas and 30 years on this beautiful campus. Community outreach events are planned, and we will have a dedicated website tracing our remarkable history. We are proud to honor this milestone anniversary in all our events and initiatives,” he concluded.
Dr. Maynard previously served as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Houston–Clear Lake. He also held academic leadership roles at Sam Houston State University and the University of North Alabama and is a past president of the Texas Council of Chief Academic Officers.
At UH–Clear Lake he led successful accreditation reaffirmation, helped more than double sponsored-research funding, and launched collaborations such as the Houston Spaceport Consortium for Research, Education, and Workforce.
Dr. Maynard, a tenured professor of history, holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Louisiana State University and a B.A., magna cum laude, from Lee University. His book, Out of the Shadow: George H.W. Bush and the End of the Cold War, was published by Texas A&M University Press.
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Ready to celebrate with commemorative cookies noting the University's 55th Anniversary and its record 9,000 student enrollment are, left to right, Juan G. Garcia, vice president for Enrollment Management; the University’s 9,000th student, Mel Velazquez; Juan J. Castillo, vice president for Finance and Administration; Dr. Christopher Maynard, president; Dr. Claudia San Miguel, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Rosalinda Garcia, vice president for Student Engagement, and Rosanne Palacios, vice president for Institutional Advancement.
