Laredo, TX-- Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $1,649,197 in federal funds to Texas A&M International University to help develop and expand Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities for Hispanic and Low-Income students in the region. This funding was awarded through National Science Foundation’s Hispanic Serving Institutions grant program, which Congressman Cuellar established in 2018.

“Students in South Texas must be career-ready to meet the demands of the our country’s STEM industries,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This federal investment will be used to prepare students to graduate and work in critical STEM sectors such as energy, health care and medicine, cyber and information technologies, and national security. As a senior Appropriator, I will continue to fund educational programs that will create a new generation of innovators, creators, and pioneers. I want to thank TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz and the rest of his staff for their dedication to expanding educational opportunities for our students.”

“We are deeply appreciative of the leadership and partnership provided by Congressman Cuellar in helping secure this generous NSF grant.  We know that our students have tremendous capacity to succeed in STEM fields and this visionary grant will provide them with ample opportunities to realize their full degree potential and advance their careers. In turn, their success will drive a brighter future for our community, state and country,” Dr. Pablo Arenaz, TAMIU president said.

As a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar secured $45 million in the 2020 final spending bill for the NSF and their efforts to support Minority-Serving Institutions, a $5 million increase from 2019. In FY18 final spending bill, Congressman Cuellar secured language that authorized the NSF to coordinate and grant funding to Hispanic Serving Institutions for the first time.

The funding will be used to implement several enrichment strategies at TAMIU with the aim of improving GPA and time to degree. These strategies will include a pre-college summer camp to provide participants with a head start on the STEM-introductory classes critical to progressing in their majors, a two-semester STEM research methods seminar series, and an undergraduate STEM research experience. The funding will also support tutoring and other supplemental instruction sessions. Lastly, the funding will help create professional developmental opportunities, such as STEM-internships.