$600K Hispanic program grant awarded to UTRGV

The UTRGV sign on the Brownsville Campus near the Student Union. (Courtesy: David Pike | UTRGV)
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BROWNSVILLE – U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, whose district includes Cameron County, announced the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will receive $598,870 from the U.S. Department of Education as part of its Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.

The program provides funding to Hispanic Serving Institutions to expand educational opportunities and improve the attainment of Hispanic students, according to a press release.

“Education is the key to break the generational cycle of poverty and secure a good-paying job,” Gonzalez stated. “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 five-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 more than 95% Hispanic, according to the release.