Leadership academy designed to engage Latino students in leadership activities throughout the college experience to promote academic success, retention, and graduation.
Institution:
Texas A&M International University
Academic Level:
Baccalaureate
Issue Area:
Retention
Year:
2009
Designation:
SEMILLAS
Key Personnel:
Alva, Jerry
Address:
5201 University Blvd.
City:
Laredo
State:
TX
Zip:
78041 Goal/Mission:
- Increase retention rate, engagement, and leadership of first-year enrollment of first generation college-going Latino students.
Outcome:
The University improved retention by having the Division of Student Services work closely with different entities on campus to increase student engagement.The University expanded the grant to include a leadership program for upper level students. A total of 24 students participated in the freshman LIDER and 27 in the upper classmen Leadership TAMIU. 96% of those participating in LIDER program successfully completed the freshman year and were retained at a 20% higher rate than students who did not participate. Leadership program students averaged a 3.57 GPA. The program helped the University connect with the Harvard Kennedy Latino Leadership Institute and sent six students to participate in that experience. Students were invited to apply for the leadership experience making them feel special. The experience was so successful the President expressed his desire to expand the leadership program into a certificate program and eventually make it an academic minor. The funding gave the University the opportunity to connect different efforts.
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