Press Release
Rep. Cuellar Announces Over $2.9 Million for TAMIU’s Advanced Curriculum and Research ProgramProgram will prepare students for degrees in STEM and Social Science
LAREDO,TX | Charlotte Laracy, DC Press Secretary (202-226-1583); Leslie Martinez, District Press Secretary (956-286-6007),
October 7, 2019
Laredo, TX- Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz announced over $2.9 million for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) to advance opportunities for Hispanic students seeking graduate degrees in Social Science or in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).These funds, allocated through the Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program, will assist TAMIU in establishing the Advanced Curriculum and Research (ARC) Program.
“Our country’s economic competitiveness requires a workforce with a college degree, particularly in the science, technology, engineering and math sectors. But the education required to enter these fields is especially challenging or intimidating for some college students,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These funds will provide Hispanic and low-income students with additional resources and guidance to improve student retention and develop the next generation of highly educated minority professionals.”
“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have worked hard to increase funding for HSIs each year to help students overcome the financial and educational barriers of pursuing higher education. I will continue to fund programs that promote education, especially those which benefit underserved communities. I want to thank TAMIU President, Dr. Pablo Arenaz, and his team for their dedication to improving the college education experience of Hispanic and low-income students in the region.” President of TAMIU Dr. Pablo Arenaz said, “As the University celebrates our 50th Anniversary, the TAMIU ARC Grant firmly positions us for the future. It will have a transformative effect, catalyzing graduate education across the University. We greatly appreciate Congressman Cuellar’s (’82) visionary partnership in securing this Grant. TAMIU ARC will truly be a game-changer: improving retention and graduation rates in all graduate programs. Its special focus on important STEM and social science areas make it an integral component in our quest for TAMIU to reach 10,000 students.” TAMIU ARC principal investigator Dr. Jennifer Coronado, TAMIU Dean of the Graduate School, said the Grant will be research-based and applicable to HIS graduate programs across the nation. “The primary objective of the TAMIU ARC is to conduct rigorous research to explore models of success for TAMIU graduate students. The centerpiece of this research project will be a long-term study of graduate student program enrollment, retention, graduation, and career placement and/or admission to other post-graduate programs. This study will have applicability to Hispanic Serving graduate programs across the nation,” Dr. Coronado explained.
Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions Program In the fiscal year 2020, Congressman Cuellar secured $150 million for the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, a $27 million increase from the fiscal year 2019. Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program. The program provides grants to assist HSIs to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students. These grants also allow HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability.
TAMIU Advanced Curriculum and Research (TAMIU ARC) The Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) grant will establish the TAMIU Advanced Curriculum and Research (TAMIU ARC) program focused on enhancing TAMIU’s curriculum. The program will offer targeted orientation sessions to promote graduate student success, develop a first-year program within science and mathematics graduate programs, support graduate research, and expand professional development opportunities for TAMIU faculty, staff, and graduate students.
Congressman Cuellar presents TAMIU with $2.9 million in federal funds to assist TAMIU in establishing the Advanced Curriculum and Research (ARC) Program. Pictured from left to right: Congressman Cuellar; Dr. John Kilburn, Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Projects; Dr. Jennifer Coronado, Dean of the Graduate School and TAMIU-ARC Principal Investigator; Anne Frey, Associate Director of Grant Development, and TAMIU President, Dr. Pablo Arenaz.
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