Planning the Next 50 Years

Laredo Morning Times | lmtonline.com | Sunday, August 23, 2020 | E5 50th Anniversary are said to have a 100% pass rate in most certification areas, and gradu- ate students have continued to be published in peer-reviewed publica- tions. As the pandemic-challenged edu- cators across the globe, O’Meara said students will also obtain a Google Classroom and Remote Educator Certification to train them in teaching classes in both remote and on-campus settings. This train- ing will not only serve as a reminder of the importance of education and their roles but will also prepare them for other situations in the future. Through partnerships with the Fun Academy, Raising Texas Teach- ers and the A&M System’s We Teach Texas initiatives, the goal will continue to be to produce day-one ready teachers that are certified and committed to making a difference in and beyond their classroom. “Preparing teachers for the next 50 years requires us to go beyond the successes of 2020,” O’Meara said. College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing As medical-oriented students continue to strive for their careers, the College of Nursing at TAMIU will continue to improve and adapt to the growing needs of the commu- nity. A long-term plan will include a new master’s degree program in nursing, public health, communica- tion science disorders and kinesiolo- gy non-certification, Terregosa said. Over time, there will be curriculum changes to increase enrollment in kinesiology non-certification pro- grams, as well as a track of pre- physical therapy for students who want to proceed in physical therapy after completing the non-certified degree. There will also be an RN to MSN program that is being planned to help nurses with associate degrees transi- tion to a master’s degree in nursing. Torregosa said that a master’s in public health will be offered in three years, and drafts for a master’s de- gree in speech language pathology have been developed and are under internal review. As the School of Nursing accepts students considered at-risk, under- represented and first-generation, Torregosa said that the program was ranked 11th in the state, outrank- ing other schools such as the Texas Woman’s University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Anto- nio, and the Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi. “This report is a reflection of the rigor of our BSN program and the commitment of the nursing faculty for student success. Likewise, it also reflects the hard work of our stu- dents,” she said. “The college will continuously mold and hone our programs so that we are preparing graduates who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to problem- solve the healthcare challenges of today and tomorrow.” Graduate School TAMIU has plans and improve- ments for alumni or current students planning to continue education after their undergraduate degrees. Ac- cording to Dr. Jennifer Coronado, the Dean of the TAMIU Graduate School, plans to expand the degree and certificate offerings will con- tinue through the years, starting with the launch of a master’s in curricu- lum and instruction with a special- ization in educational leadership and another specialization in special education. Photo Courtesy of TAMIU A TAMIU student looks through the viewfinder of a microscope. Photo Courtesy of TAMIU The TAMIU globe entrance marker off Bob Bullock Loop.