TAMIU, Consulate of México Agreement Helps Expand Access to Educational Resources, Opportunities

More Mexican nationals, migrants and Hispanics living in the Laredo area will receive information about educational opportunities available to them thanks to an agreement Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and the Consulate of México in Laredo signed at TAMIU Wednesday.

Backed by a $10,000 grant provided to TAMIU by the Consulate of México in Laredo and a $10,000 matching fund from TAMIU’s College of Education, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) strengthens collaborative activities between TAMIU and the Consulate of México in Laredo that supports Mexico’s Educational Orientation Windows Program, or VOE, as known by its Spanish acronym.

Conducted in partnership with TAMIU’s College of Education School Counseling Program, key partnership activities include provision of information tables at The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo, the Consulate of México offices and in the colonias, where table visitors receive information about scholarship resources, educational institutions and organizations, online courses, and community center offerings.

VOE was established in 2017 by the Mexican Secretariat of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Institute of Mexicans Living Abroad. Its goal is to help Mexican and Hispanic communities navigate the educational systems of the United States and México. It also offers information about programs under the open education system such as literacy, primary, secondary education, and university to the Hispanic community and develops courses for migrant parents.

TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz, left, signs the MOU with Consul General of México in Laredo Carolina Zaragoza Flores.

TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz said that the VOE is an excellent example of the continuing partnership between TAMIU and the Consulate of México.

“This program is innovative and will have a tremendous impact on our community,” Dr. Arenaz said, “We appreciate Consul General of México in Laredo Carolina Zaragoza Flores for what she does and for her vision as she has been a great partner of this institution in sponsoring various activities for Mexican students.”

Zaragoza Flores thanked TAMIU for its partnership.

“You are an excellent partner,” she said, “VOE is important to all of us because it provides people access to educational resources and to those who wish to continue with their studies.”

Zaragoza Flores explained that since May, VOE operated without funding and still, assisted more than 1,400 people at its mobile sites. Also, 42 migrant families were assisted at the first-ever Laredo Goes to College Fair, she added.

“Today, the Consulate General of México in Laredo is proud to deliver $10,000 to TAMIU, for the strengthening of VOE, with the objective of reducing the educational gap in this region of the border, which has a very high density of people of Mexican origin,” she said.

Dr. James O’Meara, TAMIU College of Education dean, explained that as part of the partnership, TAMIU will assist in the setup of a digital information kiosk that will be located at the Consulate offices in Laredo.

“Each week, our (student) interns go to the colonias to provide information about various opportunities,” O´Meara said, “This program has a positive impact on our community and it is an example of how TAMIU goes beyond the borders of the walls of the University to have an impact on the nation and beyond.”

For more information, please contact O’Meara at 956.326.2680, email james.omeara@tamiu.edu, or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 429A.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.