Bridges built through transfer agreement

Bridges are being built with the signing of a new academic articulation agreement between this college and Texas State University-San Marcos.

President Robert Zeigler and Perry Moore, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Texas State, signed a transfer agreement Feb. 24 bridging the two schools.

The agreement focuses on transferring STEM students — those studying science, technology, engineering and math — to Texas State where they can earn a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, chemistry and physics.

The transfer agreement is to encourage more students to earn degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

Moore said these are important fields to increase the number of students and teachers.

With the opening of the newly renovated MESA Center, these students have a place where they can work together to build their academic and career goals.

The MESA program here is the first in Texas and was inspired by one in California, Mario Gutierrez, MESA student coordinator, said.

The program started in 2007 with about 60 students and has grown to about 104, Gutierrez added. "Hopefully, it will grow and spread."

Civil engineering major Liana LaPierrie, in her remarks at the signing, credited the program and the MESA Center with allowing her and her peers to be able to work together, graduate and enter successful careers.

"You learn a lot through project involvement," LaPierrie said, noting projects such as robotics, hydroponics and solar panels.

The transfer agreement targets underrepresented minorities earning degrees in the STEM fields.

Pipeline coordinator Frank Perez helped work on the development of the transfer agreement between this college and Texas State.

It's a two-year program funded by a Title 5 grant given to this college by the Department of Education.

Only three majors are being offered in the transfer agreement, but by the second year of funding, Perez said he hopes five more majors will be available to students.

Every semester, STEM students take a daylong trip to Texas State where they tour the campus, visit admissions and the department of their interest.

The next visit is scheduled for April 17.

For more information, call Mario Gutierrez at 486-1825.