The Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) presented Awards for Excellence in Retention as part of the Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Pre-Conference on Retention and Transition on March 30.
Mountain View College–Dallas County Community College District, Dallas; San Jacinto College–South, Houston; and South Texas College, McAllen, were each awarded $1,500 in recognition of their promising practices for innovative retention and transition programs. Through virtual environments, learning communities, dual enrollment programs, and dedicated faculty and staff, the award winners created model programs with proven student success.
“These award-winning programs exemplify what it takes to help students succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics—not only at their two-year institutions but also in the four-year institutions where the students transfer,” said Dr. Teri Reed, assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs for the Look College and assistant agency director of workforce development for TEES. “We chose each of these colleges because their ability to inspire students inspired us.”
Held the day before the annual Mid Years Engineering Experience Conference, the pre-conference provides Hispanic Serving Institutions from across Texas the opportunity to address barriers and challenges for students transitioning from two-year to four-year engineering institutions and is funded by a National Science Foundation grant.
Elaine Mendoza, vice chairman of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, presented the awards during a ceremony at the Hilton College Station & Conference Center.
From left: Regent Mendoza; Dr. Kelli Davis, interim university relations officer, South Texas College; Andrew Vines, department chair, chemistry, engineering, geology and physics, San Jacinto College–South; Dr. Karen Duston, engineering program coordinator, San Jacinto College–South; and Dr. Stephen L. Jones, executive dean of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Division, Mountain View College.