TAMIU Open House at Southwest Texas College Celebrates MOU Championing Transfer Students
Students at Southwest Texas College (SWTX) in Eagle Pass are now a lot closer to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo.
That’s because TAMIU recently hosted an Open House that commemorated the anniversary of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) affirming a shared commitment to higher education with SWTX for the students of South Texas through a carefully articulated transfer agreement.
The Open House gave SWTX students a chance to explore degree programs with TAMIU faculty members, and learn about financial aid, on-campus housing, student life, and resources available to help transfer students secure a successful transition.
TAMIU vice president for Enrollment Management Juan Gilberto García, Jr. said in just a year the MOU has yielded measurably positive results.
“The most noticeable impact has been that we’ve seen a 200 percent increase in transfers from Southwest Texas College to TAMIU to complete their undergraduate degrees. We’ve also doubled the applicants and accepted students to TAMIU from SWTX. The MOU also laid the foundation for various value-added collaborative ventures. These include the development of web-published transfer guides for degree programs that share the acceptance of credits applicable to the plan’s degree program, institutional guidance on recruiting, financial aid and admissions, and the opportunity for the completion of an associate degree or reverse transfer,” he noted.
“One of the most popular and timely collaborative opportunities was a presentation on Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) for SWTX Faculty Development Day by Dr. Daniel Covarrubias, TAMIU’s A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development (TCBEED) director.
“The presentation, titled "A.I. as a Catalyst for Student Creativity: Preparing for the A.I.-Centered Workforce," addressed the critical role of artificial intelligence in modern education, focusing on innovative approaches to incorporating A.I. in education while preparing students for an increasingly A.I.-driven workplace. The session was organized with Brenda Hoffman, Eagle Pass campus vice president,” García explained.
He said these sorts of collaborative ventures bring added value to the MOU as they strengthen the shared partnership, providing mutual opportunities for growth and leveraging institutional energies.
TAMIU interim president Juan J. Castillo concurred.
“This partnership was initiated by our late president Dr. Pablo Arenaz who was excited to launch the innovative major principles and expectations for this special shared collaboration with SWTX president Dr. Hector Gonzales. We are honored to continue to champion this initiative and the legacy of betterment it provides for SWTX transfer students and the remarkable lives they will lead,” Castillo said.
For more on transferring to TAMIU, contact the Office of Recruitment and School Relations enroll@tamiu.edu, phone 956.326.2270, or click on https://www.tamiu.edu/prospect/transfer.shtml
About Southwest Texas College
Southwest Texas College is a regional, "open door" institution serving an 11-county area stretching from the Texas Hill Country to the U.S.-Mexican border. Since 1946, SWTX has provided accessible, affordable, high-quality education that prepares students to successfully transfer to senior colleges and universities; enter the job market; pursue their professional and personal goals and contribute to the economic growth of the region. The College’s mission is to enrich lives and advance growth through the education of diverse communities.
Its main campus is in Uvalde. Additional campuses are located in Del Rio and Eagle Pass and instructional facilities are offered in Crystal City, Pearsall, and Hondo. SWTX also provides online instruction and distance education links to 22 school districts.
About TAMIU
A Member of The Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is a primarily Hispanic-serving, State-assisted university founded in 1970. Its 300-acre campus is in northeast Laredo on former ranchland.
TAMIU is home to a diverse enrollment of over 8,900 students from 31 countries and 28 US states. It nurtures its students’ academic and social development through instruction, research, and service to be responsible and productive members of the global society.
For additional information on transferring to TAMIU, contact the Office of Recruitment and School Relations enroll@tamiu.edu, phone 956.326.2270, or click on https://www.tamiu.edu/prospect/transfer.shtml
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