UTSA, Alamo Colleges develop streamlined academic path for engineering students

UTSA President Ricardo Romo (left) and Bruce Leslie, Alamo Colleges chancellor, sign memorandum of understanding
(Photo by Patrick R. Dunn)

By Christi Fish
Associate Director of Media Relations

(Feb. 16, 2012) -- In an effort to promote the seamless transfer of Alamo Colleges students into The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Engineering, leaders from the two academic institutions signed a memorandum of understanding today to establish the Transfer Academy for Tomorrow's Engineers (TATE). Students who complete the Academy's requirements will be granted automatic admission to the UTSA College of Engineering.

"The Alamo Colleges is pleased to enter into this collaboration with The University of Texas at San Antonio. UTSA continues to be a valued partner in serving our community," said Bruce Leslie, chancellor of the Alamo Colleges. "The TATE Program addresses the shortage of engineers in our area and gives students a pathway to pursue a better career and successful life."

TATE participants will be recruited by the Alamo Community College District and will begin their studies at one of the five Alamo colleges. While there, TATE students will receive academic support and advising from Alamo College faculty and staff to help them become as academically successful as possible. Once the students complete the requirements to earn an Associate of Science degree in Engineering, those in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.25 will become eligible for automatic admission into the UTSA College of Engineering.

Before TATE students transfer to UTSA, they will be required to attend the research/writing summer bridge camp. Once enrolled at UTSA, the students will be aided by UTSA's Office of P-20 Initiatives, and the Admissions and Transfer Center staff. They will also be assigned to a Student Learning Community that meets three times each semester to provide academic and social support, and they will have the opportunity to participate in various outreach activities. UTSA will contact and track TATE students to evaluate the program's success.

"Our goal is to increase the number of transfer students into a seamless engineering-based career pathway," said Rachel Ruiz, assistant vice president of the UTSA Office of P-20 Initiatives.

"The nation is facing a critical shortage of qualified professionals in science, technology, engineering and math at the same time we have smart, driven students right here in San Antonio who dream of becoming engineers," said Mauli Agrawal, dean of the UTSA College of Engineering. "For some, finances get in the way. For others, the thought of navigating the transfer process is just plain intimidating. We are thrilled to partner with the Alamo Colleges on this project, and we expect the program will become extremely popular."

Per the agreement that was signed today, the TATE is expected to serve 25 students each year for a minimum of three years.

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The University of Texas at San Antonio is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Texas and one of the largest of nine academic universities and six health institutions in the UT System. As a multicultural institution of access and excellence, UTSA aims to be a national research university providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA serves nearly 31,000 students with 135 degree programs in the colleges of Architecture, Business, Education and Human Development, Engineering, Honors, Liberal and Fine Arts, Public Policy, Sciences and the Graduate School. Founded in 1969, UTSA is an intellectual and creative resource center and a socioeconomic development catalyst for Texas and beyond. Learn more at utsa.edu.