TAMIU Community Work-Study Program Student Spotlight
Spring 2025
Itzamara Contreras
Laredo Animal Protective Society
Itzamara Contreras, a Biology graduate, spent seven months working with the Laredo Animal Protective Society (LAPS) through the Community Work-Study Program. An aspiring veterinarian, Itzamara took on a variety of roles at LAPS, including managing social media, promoting adoption events, and representing the agency on Telemundo to engage the Spanish-speaking community. She also supported outreach efforts during vaccine drives and provided clerical assistance with adoptions and general inquiries.
When LAPS faced staff shortages, Itzamara readily stepped in to help with animal care—cleaning kennels, feeding, bathing, and playing with the animals. Her experience at the no-kill shelter deepened her compassion and strengthened her admiration for the work done by nonprofit animal organizations. It affirmed her desire to pursue veterinary medicine and gave her a greater appreciation for behind-the-scenes operations in animal care.
Through this role, she developed valuable skills in communication, multitasking, and customer service. She credits the professional development workshops offered by the program and the mentorship she received at LAPS for pushing her to grow and feel like part of the team. Itzamara encourages other students to take advantage of the Community Work-Study Program for the hands-on experience and meaningful connections it offers.
Rafael Ortíz
South Texas Food Bank
Rafael Ortíz, a Psychology major with a minor in Political Science at TAMIU, is currently placed at the South Texas Food Bank through the Community Work-Study Program. In addition to his work at the food bank, he actively volunteers with St. Peter’s Church, where he has assisted with the Emergency Assistance Food Program (TEFAP) by distributing food and providing translation services. At the food bank, Rafael helps manage databases, organize inventory, and register clients—primarily working with elderly individuals to ensure they receive their food items.
One of the most rewarding parts of Rafael’s role has been connecting with the elderly clients, many of whom remember him from previous visits. Initially nervous about interacting with people, Rafael has developed stronger communication and people skills through repeated engagement. His experience has also helped him grow in areas like time management, planning ahead, and being proactive in a fast-paced environment.
Rafael encourages other students to apply to the Community Work-Study Program, emphasizing the value of stepping outside your comfort zone and gaining hands-on experience. He describes helping others as incredibly fulfilling and is thankful for the supportive team at the South Texas Food Bank who guided him every step of the way.
Nereyda Gallegos
Laredo Main Street
Nereyda Gallegos, a Criminal Justice graduate with a minor in Biology, spent two years working with Laredo Main Street through the Community Work-Study Program. During her time at the agency, she provided clerical support, conducted surveys, and took inventory of buildings in downtown Laredo—a major project she later presented to City Council. She also played a key role as an event coordinator for the Farmers Market and led vendor coordination for large events like the Jamboozie Festival.
Through these experiences, Nereyda built strong communication, networking, and organizational skills, especially in fast-paced event settings. Engaging with the downtown community and city officials helped her grow more confident and professional. She learned to adapt quickly, accept and apply feedback, and stay composed when plans changed. Her work strengthened her abilities in time management, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Nereyda encouraged other students to participate in the Community Work-Study Program, sharing how it opened doors to meaningful experiences and community connections. After graduating, she accepted a permanent position with Laredo Main Street as Event Coordinator, now leading events she once supported as a student intern—including the Farmers Market, Pumpkin Patch, Jamboozie, and Día de los Muertos.
Spring 2024
Karla Freyre
Children's Advocacy Center
Karla Freyre, a Psychology and Criminal Justice graduate, was drawn to both fields by her deep interest in human behavior and the justice system. During her time in the Community Work-Study Program, she served as a Program Intern at the Children's Advocacy Center, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children who had experienced abuse or trauma. Her responsibilities included event planning, preparing materials for board meetings, answering phones, checking in clients, and assisting with the center's monthly "play dates" for children.
While at the center, Karla experienced meaningful personal growth. She overcame avoidance tendencies and developed greater confidence in communicating with staff and clients alike. She learned to use platforms like Canva, Microsoft Word, and Excel, which allowed her to contribute more effectively and take initiative in her role. Her time in the kid-friendly environment also sparked a passion for working with children and inspired her to pursue a master's degree after graduation.
Karla found the program incredibly rewarding and credited it with helping her grow in confidence, communication, and independence. She highly recommended the experience to other students, especially those exploring careers in nonprofit work, noting that each day offered a new learning opportunity and the chance to build lasting, meaningful connections.
Kristina Treviño
Washington's Birthday Celebration Association
Kristina Treviño, a Business Administration graduate with a concentration in Marketing, focused her studies on consumer behavior, market trends, and strategic branding. During her time in the Community Work-Study Program, she served as a Program Intern for the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA), a nonprofit organization committed to honoring George Washington's legacy while promoting unity, tourism, and educational support through community-wide events.
At WBCA, Kristina took on a wide range of responsibilities—from managing social media content to assisting with clerical tasks such as creating marketing reports for sponsorships. She showcased her creativity by designing graphics and videos to promote major events like "McMonday," the "Jalapeño Festival," the "Air Show," and the "IBC Parade." One of her favorite projects involved creating social media riddles to distribute tickets for the Air Show, which helped boost online engagement.
Kristina's experience at WBCA strengthened her confidence and communication skills while deepening her knowledge of nonprofit marketing. She learned to use tools like Google AdSense and played a key role in enhancing the organization's digital presence. Grateful for the supportive environment, Kristina credited the experience with shaping her career goals and reaffirming her passion for marketing and community engagement after graduation.
Marisol Vásquez
Rio Grande International Study Center
Marisol Vásquez, a Biology graduate, demonstrated a strong commitment to both academic excellence and community engagement during her time at TAMIU. She was one of only seven students selected from across the Texas A&M system to participate in the USDA Science Influencer Program, which trained her to communicate science effectively in fields like agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. Her passion for environmental advocacy guided her journey both in and out of the classroom.
Through the TAMIU Community Work-Study Program, Marisol served as a Program Intern at the Rio Grande International Study Center, a nonprofit focused on environmental conservation and education. She contributed to research, community outreach, and public education, translating complex scientific topics into accessible content. Her work helped raise awareness of environmental issues and fostered community understanding. She also developed vital skills such as workplace communication, collaboration, and efficiency while working on a variety of projects alongside professionals in climate science and politics.
Marisol described her experience as enriching and fulfilling. She appreciated the fast-paced learning environment and the opportunity to network with experienced professionals. Grateful for the chance to gain hands-on experience while making a meaningful impact, Marisol encouraged other students to apply to the program, calling it a chance to "get your foot in the door" and explore future career possibilities in science and advocacy.
Fall 2022
Ashley Martinez
Keep Laredo Beautiful
Ashley Martinez, an English major with a minor in Pre-Law graduate, gained valuable professional experience through the Community Work-Study program during her time at TAMIU. She spent nine months working with Keep Laredo Beautiful, where she took on responsibilities such as coordinating events, conducting outreach, networking, marketing, and writing grants for the organization.
One of Ashley’s proudest accomplishments was helping Keep Laredo Beautiful secure a grant from Keep Texas Beautiful, which funded a new EnviroScape model used for community outreach and environmental education. Her role allowed her to contribute meaningfully to local beautification efforts and deepen her connection to the Laredo community.
Ashley credited the experience with helping her grow professionally by challenging her to step outside her comfort zone and apply her skills in real-world settings. “This program gave me an opportunity to work with an agency that is very involved in my local community. It is so nice to see all the different beautification projects around Laredo that I played a role in,” she shared.
Victoria Ortíz
MILEONE
Victoria Ortíz, a graduate with a double major in Sociology and Communication, spent six months working with MileOne through the Community Work-Study program. During her time with the organization, she provided customer service to members and the community, and supported major initiatives such as the Women Entrepreneurs Rock Series, MileOne Business Networking Mixers, and the International Foreign Direct Investment initiative, Programa Acelera.
One of Victoria’s key accomplishments was overseeing MileOne’s biannual member survey project, which achieved an impressive 45% response rate. Her role allowed her to contribute to impactful projects while sharpening her communication, coordination, and project management skills.
Victoria credited the program with helping her grow professionally and personally by pushing her outside of her comfort zone. “Don’t be afraid to take on a new challenge and to get out of your comfort zone. An opportunity like this program will help you grow,” she shared, encouraging other students to embrace similar hands-on learning opportunities.
Michelle Canales
Literacy Volunteers of Laredo
Michelle Canales, a Spanish major graduate, spent one year working with Literacy Volunteers of Laredo through the Community Work-Study program. During her time there, she supported the training of tutor volunteers, coordinated new classes, facilitated meetings between tutors and students, and contributed to outreach efforts through graphic design and proposal writing.
Her role also included organizing outreach events, which gave her hands-on experience in program coordination and community engagement. Michelle developed a strong admiration for the nonprofit sector and expressed her desire to continue serving her community by applying for full-time work with another nonprofit organization after graduation.
Reflecting on her experience, Michelle encouraged fellow TAMIU students to apply to the program with an open mind. "There is a chance to network with different people in the city that can lead to future employment opportunities," she shared, highlighting the program's impact on both personal growth and career development.
Fall 2021
Lucia Macias
Keep Laredo Beautiful
Lucia Macias, graduated with a double major in English and Sociology, spent over a year working with Keep Laredo Beautiful through the Community Work-Study Program. During her 14-month placement, she contributed to research efforts, created promotional materials, and coordinated events for the Safe and Solo Campaign, supporting local beautification projects.
Her work not only enhanced her research and writing abilities but also strengthened her networking skills through consistent collaboration with local organizations and community leaders. The hands-on experience allowed her to explore meaningful ways to serve the community while developing professionally.
Lucia reflected positively on her time in the program and strongly encouraged other students to take part. “I absolutely recommend the Community Work-Study Program if you are interested in giving back to the community,” she shared. “A lot of doors will open for you, and you might find yourself working in a field that might become your career.”
Cynthia San Miguel
Instituto Cultural de Mexico
Cynthia San Miguel ’21 graduated with her degree in Biology. Throughout her experience with the Community Work-Study Program, Cynthia completed 1 year and 2 months working with Instituto Cultural De Mexico. Her job duties consisted of clerical work, social media engagement, event coordination, and creation of grant applications. Cynthia believes this opportunity played a significant role in helping develop her leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. “I would definitely recommend this program to other students. This is a great program that gets your foot in the door. You learn a lot while helping your community in many ways.” Cynthia stated.
Jessica Ramirez
United Way of Laredo
Jessica Ramirez ’21 graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and minor in Psychology. Jessica worked with United Way of Laredo for 1 year and 4 months. Her job duties consisted of assisting with the 2-1-1 Texas Call center program. Jessica believes through this opportunity, she improved her communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. “I would definitely recommend the Work-Study Program to other students because it really gives one an opportunity to gain work experience while also getting an education,” Jessica stated.
Fall 2019
Ashly Aguilar
Laredo Crime Stoppers
Ashly Aguilar ’21 graduated with her degree in Nursing. Throughout her experience with the Community Work-Study Program, Ashly has completed 4 months of working with Laredo Crime Stoppers. Her job duties consisted of clerical work and helping coordinate projects such as the Menudo Bowl. In addition, Ashly believes through this employment opportunity, she improved her communication and networking skills. “ I would recommend for others to apply to the Community Work-Study Program because it gets you out of your comfort zone and challenges you both as a student and worker,” Ashly stated.
Patsy Rodriguez
Laredo Area Community Foundation
Patsy Rodriguez ’20 graduated with her degree in Music. Patsy worked with the Laredo Area Community Foundation for 6 months. Her job duties consisted of clerical work and customer service. Throughout her experience with the Community Work-Study Program, Patsy believes this opportunity played a significant role in helping develop her leadership, organizational, customer service, and software skills. "Students should apply to the Community Work-Study Program because you will placed with a non-profit whose primary goal is to serve and give back to the Laredo community," Patsy stated.
Angelica Ramirez
Voz De Ninos
Angelica Ramirez graduated with a double major in Communication and Sociology. Throughout her experience with the Community Work-Study Program, Angelica has completed 7 months of working with Voz De Ninos. Her job duties consisted of general office work, graphic design, & community/recruitment events. Angelica believes this opportunity, improved her communication skills. “I recommend the Community Work-Study Program because you get to meet new people and become more aware and knowledgeable of the other agencies and the resources they offer to the Laredo community,” Angelica stated.
Summer 2019
Consuelo Guzman
Dusty's Food Pantry
Consuelo "Connie" Guzman '19 graduated with a double major in Political Science and Criminal Justice. She served with Dusty's Food Pantry as the official student coordinator for 1 year. She was responsible for making sure the pantry is stocked and organized at all times, monitored expiration dates of goods, created promotional flyers, and helped the TAMIU community coordinate donation drives on campus to benefit the food pantry. Connie believes her work environment played a significant role in helping develop her marketing and networking skills. "Students should apply to the Community Work Study Program because it's an opportunity to give back and serve the community by helping non-profits," Connie stated.
Emilio Hernández
Chamber of Commerce
Emilio Hernández '21graduated with a degree in Pre-Engineering. Throughout his experience with the Community Work-Study Program, Emilio has completed 8 months of working with Chamber of Commerce. His job duties consisted of data entry and membership management. In addition, Emilio believes through this opportunity, he was been able to grow professionally. "I recommend the Community Work-Study Program because you will learn a lot of things at your assigned agency. It also serves as a balanced job because they will work with your school schedule." Emilio stated.
Regina Flores
Instituto Cultural de Mexico & NeighborWorks Laredo
Regina graduated with her degree in Accounting. From June 2018 to August 2019, she worked with the Instituto Cultural de Mexico within the Mexican Consulate, where she assisted her supervisor in organizing events, keeping track of income/expenses, looking for sponsorships, and giving presentations to the community about upcoming local events. Regina then was assigned to work with NeighborWorks Laredo where her job duties consisted of filling invoices, keeping track of customer payments, and providing customer service to individuals and families. "The Community Work-Study Program prepares you for the real world. It helps you become more responsible and changes your perspective. It's a perfect opportunity to take advantage of if you want to grow as a person," Regina stated.