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Rep. Cuellar Announces Over $3.4 Million in Federal Funds for TAMIU, LCC

Funds to Help Minority Students Succeed in Science, Tech, Engineering and Mathematics Careers

Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) today announced that both Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and Laredo Community College (LCC) are the recipients of federal grants that will improve higher education opportunities for minority students at those institutions.

Congressman Cuellar joined TAMIU President Dr. Ray Keck and LCC President Dr. Juan Maldonado on Thursday to announce an investment of over $2.7 million in federal funds for both TAMIU and LCC. The funds were award by the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Title V Program, an initiative intended to improve and expand education opportunities at institutions that serve a Hispanic majority in their student population. Since 2001, TAMIU has received over $15 million in federal grants through the Title V program. Today’s award will grant the institutions the necessary resources for the next five years to enhance the preparation, retention, graduation and transfer rates of Hispanic and other minority students to the skilled workforce or baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate programs by outlining strategic plans focusing on student development, engagement, retention and graduation. As of the Fall 2013 semester, 94 percent of TAMIU undergraduates and 96 percent of LCC’s undergraduate population was Hispanic.

Congressman Cuellar and TAMIU President Ray Keck also announced a separate federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) for approximately $750,000 for a three-year program aimed at increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities at Texas A&M International University in science and engineering careers.

Congressman Cuellar, President Ray Keck of TAMIU, President Juan Maldonado of LCC and representatives from both institutions hold up two separate checks from the office of Congressman Henry Cuellar for federal grants awards totaling $3.4 million that will be used to help minority students succeed in college.

“My office was able to help both TAMIU and LCC successfully apply for the federal funding they needed to better serve our local college students,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Both institutions do an excellent job of educating and preparing our students to succeed not only in Laredo, but on a global level. This grant is an important investment in our students in higher education. But, more importantly, it is an investment in our community’s future workforce.”

“This is a program which is breathtaking in both its scope and its simplicity. It holds dear the missions of both TAMIU and LCC and fully embraces a shared commitment to Build Scholars,” said Dr. Ray Keck, President of Texas A&M International University. “Underpinned by student research and faculty development opportunities and girded further by infrastructure enhancements and coordinated campus resources, it will provide rich and relevant learning experiences. We strongly believe it will propel students to persist beyond the undergraduate degree to the graduate degree and the myriad of career and professional opportunities that unfold thereafter. We are deeply honored to have Congressman Cuellar’s unwavering support and vision guiding this and moving our students towards their highest personal realization.”

"Laredo Community College is elated to work with our sister institution, Texas A&M International University, and Congressman Henry Cuellar in continuing to expand opportunities and provide services that promote Hispanic students’ success,” said Dr. Juan Maldonado, President of Laredo Community College. “Knowing that Hispanic students lag behind at the state and national levels in high school and college completion rates, it is imperative that as predominantly Hispanic-serving institutions we work together."

The news coincides with the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month that began September 15th and runs until October 15th.