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Posted: 7/16/20

TAMIU Continues Popular ‘Closer Than Ever’ Initiative for Students

 

Closer Than Ever Logo
 

They’re out there…students who have been unable to complete their undergraduate degree but have made substantial progress. Maybe life got too busy, new obligations emerged, or personal priorities needed to be revised.

This Fall 2020, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) continues to help former students complete their undergraduate degree with its “Closer than Ever” Initiative.  The program seeks out former students to help them conclude their degree journey. 

“Our TAMIUFlex classes give students the opportunity to decide whether to attend classes in person or online. With accessible and flexible programs and greater online options, students are closer than ever to completing their degree,” said Scheiby González Fisher, TAMIU executive director for Outreach and Pre-College Programs.

“In addition, TAMIU CARES will award over $5.1 million in emergency grants to assist students experiencing financial hardship, housing and food insecurity, medical expenses, and lack of educational support and supplies,”  González Fisher noted. 

“This summer, the University is reaching out to former students through direct, targeted outreach to encourage them to renew ties with the University and establish next steps.  Students interested in completing their Bachelor’s degree and wanting to confirm their time to completion are encouraged to contact us for more information.  An easy online form helps us collect basic information to retrieve the student’s academic history, establish contact and discuss options for degree completion. Many students find that they are just a few classes away from their degree. Additional scholarship and financial aid opportunities are always available,” González Fisher added.

TAMIU first launched the initiative in Fall of 2018. To date, 135 students have completed their undergraduate degrees through the program. Interested students can take their first steps forward to completing their degree by visiting a dedicated TAMIU website: https://www.tamiu.edu/closerthanever/

Ashton Laurel completed his TAMIU Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in the Spring of 2019. Thanks to scholarships and grants awarded through the University, he was able to complete his senior year without the undue burden of student loans.

“If you’re in the same situation I was in, whether you’re not sure whether to come back or how you’re going to come back – talk to the people at TAMIU. They’ll figure things out because the education that you get here is beyond priceless,” Laurel has said.

“We encourage our former students to explore the new options available to them,” González Fisher concluded, “there’s no time like the present, and they really are closer than they think.” 

For more information, contact González Fisher at 956.326.2720, email outreach@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, room 138.

Registration for TAMIU’s Fall 2020 is now underway. TAMIUFlex, Hybrid, Face-to-Face and online courses will all have the same tuition rates. An online catalog containing a list of all undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs is at http://catalog.tamiu.edu

TAMIU  ranks 5th in the nation among the 100 Most Affordable Public Schools with the Highest Return on Investment (ROI), according to ranking authority Great Value Colleges. U.S. News and World Report’s 2020 Edition of its popular Best Colleges guide ranks TAMIU as the second highest-ranked Texas public university in its Best Regional Universities West category and the highest-ranked regional campus of the Texas A&M University System.

Most recently, TAMIU earned a top tier ranking for its COVID-19 Pandemic response. The 2020 Educate to Career College ranking placed TAMIU in Tier I for colleges and universities that have responded to the pandemic in ways that benefit and protect students, especially in terms of available online learning resources. Some 1200 colleges across the nation were reviewed.

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAMIU’s campus is closed only to the general public. Entry to campus continues for students, faculty, staff and those having legitimate reasons to be on campus. Online and virtual services at the University continue, practicing all CDC Guidelines on gathering, masking and social distancing and with some staff working remotely.  

The University’s online COVID-19 Response Center is updated regularly and includes information on office schedules and services, an expansive FAQ, quick links, student resources, official information resources and much more. 

Office hours are subject to change and it is recommended that phone or email contact be made first to determine the office’s schedule of operation.   An online directory is here.

Ashton Laurel

TAMIU graduate Ashton Laurel: “After my junior year, I wasn’t sure how I was going to come back to TAMIU and finish my degree. Thanks to TAMIU, they helped me finish everything in less than a year.” 

Related Links: 

Graduate Finds Success Through TAMIU's 'Closer Than Ever' Initiative 

'Closer Than Ever' Instagram Story

All About TAMIUFlex

TAMIU Back Together Plan for Fall