Office of Special Programs

TAMIU Hosts 'Kick Off to College' Event

On September 23, 2016 TAMIU GEAR UP IV’s Kick-Off to College was held at Laredo Energy Arena. Texas A&M International University GEAR UP IV program helped several high schoolers across South Texas get ready for life after graduation.

The program at TAMIU is changing students lives. It started as the students were just entering high school as eighth graders. Fast forward four years later, TAMIU GEAR UP is preparing the group for their first day of college… From motivational speakers to acapella groups, TAMIU Gear Up event got high school seniors from across Texas pumped up and excited to continue their education. Iliana Cantu, a senior at United High School remembers her first year with the program, “In eighth grade I was like, if I can go to college that would be amazing there was still doubt that I can really go to college.”



Iliana, is not only a first generation Mexican American in her family, but also the first to attend college. You just don't know what to do. Your the first one here, you don't know who to ask. When we came to the kick off for high school was reassuring,” Iliana adds.

She started the program when she was in middle school, the now 17-year-old says with the encouragement and support of her parents she's ready to take on the challenge. “It's always been you're going to college, it's not a choice. Education is so important because it's something that no one can take away," Iliana explains.

The senior wants to study biochemical engineering, and is currently interested in attending MIT. Being the oldest of three, Iliana says she will pass on her experience with TAMIU Gear to her younger sisters. “Life is full of struggles and regardless of what happens your always going to have that knowledge, you’re always going to have that education,” she continues.

TAMIU GEAR UP is funded by the U.S. Department of Education; Over 6,000 high school seniors from 20 school districts participated in the event.