Dear University Community,
It’s Involvement Week...time to get fully engaged in campus life!
- Last week was quite the whirlwind of activities with Welcome Week culminating with Friday’s CABchella and our traditional fireworks display on the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center Green. Fun and memories are a great way to initiate our Fall Semester. Revisit Cabchella here.
- We also learned that our Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has named a sole finalist for our incoming President of TAMIU, Dr. Christopher Maynard. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Maynard to TAMIU Oct. 1.
- We’re honored to have been ranked 3rd in the nation among the best four-year Hispanic-Serving Colleges by Washington Monthly Magazine in its 2025 College Guide. TAMIU also earned recognition as #4 for Affordability in the South, and #5 for Lowest Student Loan Debt in the South.
- On Saturday, we celebrated our Fall Dustdevil Athletics Season with a Kick-Off Celebration and were joined by our extended Dustdevil Nation community.
- Among the new faces on campus this Fall, let’s welcome 32 new faculty members who have taken their place to lead learning and research here. Meet them!
- Now, we move into Involvement Week with a broad range of activities to help you focus on student life and a fully engaged TAMIU experience here. A full schedule follows.
- Meet our new Dean of the TAMIU College of Education, Dr. Alfredo Ramírez. He’s a TAMIU alum and is committed to nurturing school leaders who can create high-performing schools in some of the most challenging school settings.
- Continue to exercise caution and patience with loop construction that impacts our University Boulevard Entrance with lanes shifting to the southernmost lanes only. If coming from the South, use Entrance 3. From the north, use the Loop or Casa Verde. Above all, continue to anticipate delays, slow down, exercise caution, and be prepared for sudden stops. This work is expected to be completed in just a few short weeks.
- Did you know TAMIU is now offering paid student research assistant positions? Make this your time to shine and impress future employers too!
With last week’s naming of the sole finalist for our presidency, I share in the excitement of our campus community and community at large, and recall the words of writer C.S. Lewis:
"There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."
Let’s Go Dustdevils!
- Juan J. Castillo, interim president
Involvement Week Focuses on Student Life @ TAMIU
Involvement Week, an opportunity to learn all about how you can get involved in your campus and local community, is slated for Sept. 1 - 5.
First-Year Rally Set for Wednesday, Sept. 3
Calling all first-year students! Join us next Wednesday, September 3, 3:20 p.m. in for the First-Year Rally in the Breezeway! You’ll have an opportunity to learn about the next Reading the Globe book and where we are going next.
Caution: New Lane Shift Made by TxDOT on University Boulevard
As you make your way to TAMIU on this first day of the Fall Semester 2025, please note that TxDOT has revised the entrance/exit plan for TAMIU’s University Boulevard effective Friday, Aug. 15 through Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, subject to change.
What Does This Mean?
Traffic entering and exiting the University via University Boulevard will now do so through the southernmost lanes of University Boulevard. The northernmost lanes are now closed.
What Can I Do?
As much as possible, those entering from the South (i.e., Jacaman) should use the preferred Entrance/Exit 3. TxDOT has erected additional approach signage encouraging vehicles to slow down in advance of Entrance 3.
Those entering from North of campus can still do so from Loop 20 or Casa Verde Road but should exercise caution given the new lane shift.
Important:
Anticipate travel delays. Slow down. Consider car-pooling. Always exercise caution. Be prepared for sudden stops.
Anything Else?
An enhanced University Police presence on University Boulevard will help ensure everyone complies with all traffic signage and laws. The University is continuing to coordinate with TxDOT and we’ve been studying traffic flows and peak entrance/exit usage. We will quickly pivot to those options as needed.
For Updates, Follow TxDOT Laredo at:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Texas-Department-of-Transportation-Laredo/100094912360390/
TAMIU Welcomes 32 New Faculty Members
Continuing to keep pace with dynamic enrollment growth this Fall semester at TAMIU, 32 new faculty members have taken their place to lead learning and research in TAMIU classrooms.
“Our search committees spent an incredible amount of time and energy in working to recruit and secure these new members of our gifted faculty. We’re thrilled to have them join our growing campus and community. We are eager to have them share their contributions to TAMIU’s accessible, affordable and exceptional education,”
- Dr. Claudia San Miguel,
TAMIU Ranked 3rd in Nation Among Best Four-Year Hispanic-Serving Colleges by Washington Monthly
TAMIU has once again been recognized by Washington Monthly Magazine’s 2025 College Guide, this year as #3 in the nation in its new Best Four-Year Hispanic-Serving Colleges ranking.
TAMIU also earned a #2 ranking for Lowest Net Price in the South and repeated as one of the nation's Top Ten-ranked Southern Colleges in its "Best Bang for the Buck" category, which reviewed 100 institutions. TAMIU has appeared in the Top Ten since its inception.
Mob Fest Happening Friday, Sept. 12
Get ready to experience the energy of Mob Fest! TAMIU’s vendor market and community celebration happening Friday, September 12, 2025, during the Men’s Soccer Game vs. the University of Jamestown! The evening under the stadium lights brings together local businesses, student entrepreneurs, alumni, faculty, staff, and the Laredo community for a night of connection, shopping, and Dustdevil pride.
Download the SafeZone App
SafeZone is a free mobile app for all University faculty, staff, and students.
Once installed, you can:
- Report safety concerns 24/7.
- Get connected quickly with mental health professionals if you are feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.
- Activate location sharing with authorities if alone and concerned for safety.
- Anonymously report incidents via text message, photograph, and location.
- Control your profile data and what is shared; location is only shared when you raise alerts, check in, send reports, or request assistance.
More TAMIU News Here:
- TAMIU Receives $400K THECB Grant to Help Reduce Mental Health Disparities Among Low-Income Adults in Laredo
- Drive to Nurture Future Educators to Lead High-Performing Schools Fuels New TAMIU College of Education Dean
- TAMIU Collaborates with Google to Offer Career Certificates to Students, Faculty and Staff
Stay Connected to @txamiu
Visit our University Website at
Spend some time on the University's NewsHub
Credits:
Created by the award-winning Texas A&M International University Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services with contributions from Dustdevil Athletics and other Campus Partners.