Today Congressman Henry Cuellar, together with officials from Texas A&M International University and Laredo Community College, announced the awarding of a federal grant in the amount of $3.5 million to the Mathematical Department at LCC.

The Title V grant was awarded to the lead agency, LCC, and its partner, TAMIU, to improve the academic recruitment and retention of Hispanic students and other low income individuals.

The Title V project is central to both institutions’ comprehensive development plans to improve the teaching and learning process of Hispanic students and low income individuals who make up over 90% of the student population at these institutions.

“Good mathematical skills are so prevalent in today’s technological society,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28).  “Knowing our two institutions of higher education will now focus more energy on developing students’ math skills brings hope of graduating students in fields that are essential in today’s world.”

The Title V grant will be used in part to develop the following:
• improve student achievement in mathematics by offering tutorial and counseling services;
• provide computer labs for mathematics and related fields;
• Provide faculty development in curriculum design, working with diverse student populations, assessment and instructional strategies through the use of technology;
• Provide support to the Council on Educational Excellence to expand the opportunities and improve the academic attainment of Hispanic students in the Laredo area;
• Create an endowment to support college students who have excelled in rigorous high school programs

Dr. Dan Jones, TAMIU provost and vice president for academic affairs, who spoke today, stressed the importance of the award, “This Title V grant is important because it provides a robust arsenal of student support for both our primarily Hispanic-serving campuses. Through the grant, middle, high school, LCC and TAMIU students will draw immense benefit from  the use of tutorial and counseling services, the embrace of technology-driven instructional strategies by highly-trained faculty and, most importantly, dedicated, multi-pronged efforts targeting student retention and graduation.”

Meanwhile, LCC President Dr. Juan L. Maldonado said the college is pleased to have garnered the federal support with the help of Congressman Cuellar.  Dr. Nora R. Garza, vice president for resource development at LCC was equally excited about the funding, “As a Hispanic Serving Institution, Laredo Community College is committed to its mission of making higher education accessible to all. With the support of the Title V Cooperative Development grant, we will be able to achieve greater strides in meeting our goals to help more students achieve brighter futures,” said Dr. Nora R. Garza, vice president for resource development at LCC.

Officials say they will measure the effectiveness of the grant with several target goals, including:
• providing at least 500 students with tutoring assistance
• having 75% of students receiving tutoring pass mathematical courses with a “C” or better
• having 75% of student receiving tutoring pass the tests required for their respective discipline

For more information, please contact the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar at 725-0639, the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at Texas A&M International University at 326-2180, or the Office of Marketing and Public Relations at  Laredo Community College at 721-5140.

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.