East RGV News

BROWNSVILLE – On April 20, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced that the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) will receive $598,870 from the U.S. Department of Education as part of their Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program. The program provides funding to Hispanic Serving Institutions to expand educational opportunities and improve the attainment of Hispanic students. 

 

“Education is the key to break the generational cycle of poverty and secure a good-paying job,” stated Congressman Gonzalez. “With this funding, institutions like UTRGV will be able to ensure that students have access to support that allows them to achieve a higher education t and attain a degree. Thank you to UTRGV for everything you do for our community and our students.” 

 

“The Center for Mexican American Studies is thrilled to receive this 5-year, nearly $3 million dollar grant to engage in meaningful work to improve the educational outcomes of students at UTRGV”, stated Dr. Stephanie Alvarez, Director of the Center for Mexican American Studies at UTRGV. “The grant personnel, Stephanie Alvarez (Mexican American Studies), Alyssa Cavazos, (Writing and Language Studies), Teresa Feria (Biology), Samantha López (Center for Mexican American Studies), José L. Martínez (University College), and Emmy Perez (Creative Writing) are extremely committed to the success of our students and ensuring that the university value the cultural wealth of its students and how we can leverage that cultural wealth to improve their success at UTRGV.” 

 

The Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program provides grants to assist HSIs in expanding educational opportunities for, and improving the attainment of, Hispanic students. The HSI Program grants also enable HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability. 

 

UTRGV is a majority Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with a student population that is over 95% Hispanic.  

 

UTRGV offers students over 120 programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels led by internationally acclaimed faculty. With campuses throughout the Rio Grande Valley, UTRGV empowers students to be successful in the fields of higher, bilingual and health education, biomedical research, and emerging technology that advance positive change. 

 

Original source can be found here.