Conference Session

Enhancing the Underrepresented Student Experience

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Fernando Garcia Gonzalez, Florida Gulf Coast University; Gerardo Javier Pinzon PE, Texas A&M International University

Tagged Divisions

Minorities in Engineering

(STEM) degrees. This paper addresses the Transfer and Retention Program (TRP)which is part of this overall program.1.2 Background InformationTAMIU is the only four-year institution located within a 150-mile radius of Laredo, Texas. Theuniversity student body comprises of 90% Hispanic students of which most are economicallydisadvantaged and are under prepared when entering the university. The City of Laredo sits onthe boarder of Mexico and has a much lower per capita income when compared to both the stateand national average. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau 2010 and the 2005-2009 AmericanCommunity Survey 5-Year Estimates shows that the City of Laredo has the followingcharacteristics:  The Hispanic population is 94%  The per capita