Laredo, TX – Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $1,399,532 in federal funding for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). $1,199,532 will be used for TAMIU’s Preparing STEM Majors as Outstanding Certified Secondary Mathematics Teachers for South Texas program, and $200,000 will be used for TAMIU’s Track 1 Project. Both awards were provided by the National Science Foundation.

The Preparing STEM Majors as Outstanding Certified Secondary Mathematics Teachers for South Texas program will prepare 37 undergraduate TAMIU STEM students to be mathematics teachers at Laredo Independent School District (LISD) and United Independent School District (UISD), thereby reducing teacher turnover and improving engagement for STEM studies. The Track 1 Project will help improve undergraduate engineering student retention through virtual learning and group activities.

“Our students are the most important investment in our country. The funding announced today will prepare 37 TAMIU STEM students to become high-quality math teachers in the local community and empower TAMIU undergraduate engineering students to complete their studies,” said Congressman Cuellar, a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee. “An education is the great equalizer. In Congress, I will continue to prioritize our students’ education to ensure they are able to achieve their American Dream. Thank you to Dr. Pablo Arenaz, President of TAMIU, for working with me to secure these important awards from the National Science Foundation.”

“We’re excited to be able to expand upon our previous Noyce Scholars program with the Preparing STEM Majors as Outstanding Certified Secondary Mathematics Teachers for South Texas program. Through Congressman Cuellar’s continued partnership, we’ll be able to link the preparation of the next generation of teachers to the needs of our partner school districts, LISD and UISD. We are confident that this will reduce teacher turnover in local high-need campuses, and we’re excited to bring this collaborative solution forward,” said TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz. “Additionally, the Track 1 Project retention program for engineering students will creatively engage students in new virtual active learning techniques. Through meaningful online learning experiences, we hope to further enhance learning and improve retention/persistence in our undergraduate engineering programs. We appreciate the National Science Foundation and Congressman Cuellar’s shared encouragement and vision in providing the means for us to explore enrichment solutions that have the potential to help other students.”

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