Congressman Rubén Hinojosa Announces $1,660,000 Grant Award for UTPA

Press Release

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX-15) announced a grant of $1,660,000 was awarded to the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant will focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

"This is a huge boost for UTPA and it will support their continuing efforts to promote STEM field education for their students," said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. "The NSF has recognized UTPA as an excellent institution that provides quality education. The opportunities UTPA offers continue to expand in an ever changing world of technology. We all hope to see more STEM field graduates from UTPA entering the workforce because this is their work will keep the USA competitive in the global market. They are our future."

This project, entitled "An Ecosystem for Success in Engineering and Computer Science in Rio South Texas," is under the direction of Javier Kypuros. The award is effective Sep. 01, 2013.

The University of Texas-Pan American plans to use the money to enhance existing programs and resources to better prepare incoming students for the rigors of higher education, specifically, engineering and computer science programs.

Specifically, the grant will be used to:

· develop dual enrollment programs for high school students who show strong skills in mathematics;

· create a bridge program for incoming first-year UTPA students who show potential in engineering and computer science but lack the level of math skills, especially calculus;

· provide supplemental instruction to students enrolled in "gatekeeper" courses -- typically sophomore-level classes that introduce students to their majors -- who may have trouble mastering the coursework; and

· train upper level engineering and computer science students to tutor and mentor freshmen and sophomores.

"In essence it furthers those initiatives, but it does it within this larger umbrella that's not just focusing on pedagogy, but also focuses on success of students," said Dr. Javier Kypuros, associate professor of mechanical engineering and the principal investigator of the grant.

Kypuros called the grant award a great kick start to the University's efforts to better prepare students who plan to study engineering and computer science. Though the University has seen more students enter with stronger math skills in recent years, there are still too many students ill prepared to take engineering and other STEM-related courses. And faculty are noticing that many entering freshmen have not developed strong critical thinking skills.

The initiatives Kypuros and fellow investigators are developing under the grant will work on strengthening students' skills in math and critical thinking, he said.

Kypuros said his hope is that the programs developed under this grant will serve as a model for higher education institutions nationwide.

"It seems that the stars are aligning, we're aligning with strategic interests of the United States, with strategic interests of the University and the greater Valley and the strategic interests of STEM, especially other colleges of engineering and computer science," Kypuros said. "This is an incredible opportunity to really jumpstart things we've been talking about for some time."

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