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Dear University community,

Today is the 22nd Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Let us never forget the nearly 3,000 people killed and the more than 6,000 injured in the worst attack in our nation’s history. As we remember those lost, let us also join together in continued hope for a world without terrorism, and let us honor those first responders whose bravery then and now continues to inspire us all.

• Explore the Fine and Performing Arts at TAMIU this September with a variety of events from concerts and an art reception to a special tribute to Laredo and national icon Jovita Idar. Find out more.
• A closing reception for the exhibit “Seeking a Way Out,” is this Friday, Sept. 15, from 5 – 7 p.m.It features artwork by acclaimed Iranian artist Omid Shekari on display in the CFPA Art Gallery.
• We’re celebrating the grand opening of our La Taqueria Internacional in the TAMIU Student Center today. Join us for food tasting, promotional give-aways, games, music, and entertainment. The Taqueria, pioneered here by TAMIU, is now an official Aramark brand location able to make its way to other college and university campuses.
• Dr. Mehnaaz Momen, TAMIU professor of Public Administration, will present her book. Listening to Laredo: A Border City in a Globalized Age Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Laredo Center for the Arts. Admission is free and open to the public.
• The second in a series of video podcasts by the College of Education focused on teacher education launches Wednesday and is titled “Empowering Teachers & Enriching Communities -- Transforming Education Through Collaboration.” Viewing is available here.
• This Saturday, we will host some 400 participants in the Second Annual Bilingual Education Conference, “Unidos Para Texas.” The Conference theme is "Developing Thriving Teachers,” and some 28 presentations are scheduled across campus in four sessions, in addition to morning and noon distinguished keynote presenters. Participants are coming from across the State. Details are here.
• Are you a student looking for on-campus employment? The Office of Human Resources has moved the student employment process to Workday. Students can search for current job vacancies and apply for positions of interest, via Workday.

Upcoming: The Office of Environmental Health and Safety in conjunction with the University Police Department and the Physical Plant will conduct Emergency Evacuation Drills the week of September 18, 2023.

During these drills, flashing lights and a siren/emergency message will be communicated building-wide. All occupants must:

• Evacuate buildings via closest exit.
• Head to designated evacuation assembly area.
• Only return to buildings when UPD Officer provides “All Clear.”

Drills should last no more than 15 minutes from start to finish. Drill assistants will be wearing high-visibility vests or issued TAMIU uniforms. In preparation for these drills, please consider the following:

• Familiarize yourself with various exits in the buildings you’re in. Exits are clearly marked with illuminated “EXIT” signs, with pathways to each. Your closest exit may be closer to you than the way you came in.
• Learn Evacuation Assembly Area location(s). Each campus building has an assigned area to gather away from the building for your and others’ safety.
• Identify locations of closest fire alarm pull station. These activate the building evacuation alarm and are commonly located near exit doors or ends of hallways.
• Familiarize yourself with your Building Emergency Coordinator (BEC). Most buildings have at least one BEC that should help during an emergency or evacuation.

Learn more about fire safety and other related resources from the TAMIU Office of Environmental Health and Safety’s Fire & Life Safety page.

Have a great week, Dustdevils!

- Pablo Arenaz, Ph.D., President

TAMIU Prof Newest Publication Focuses on the Stories of Laredoans, Book Signing Set Sept. 12

Dr. Mehnaaz Momen, professor of Public Administration at TAMIU, will present her latest publication, Listening to Laredo: A Border City in a Globalized Age on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Laredo Center for the Arts. Admission to the event is free and open to the public.

“I want my readers to see Laredo from the eyes of the people who live there by choice. We always hear about the dangers of the border, but the border is fragile, the border is beautiful, and the border is evolving. The border is full of possibilities, especially because it is always a little wild. For the people who live on the border, it was historically an abstract notion that had legal and political restrictions -- but did not obstruct cultural and economic exchanges.”

- Dr. Mehnaaz Momen, professor of Public Administration

Second in TAMIU College of Education Video Podcast Series Airs Sept. 13

The second in a series of video podcasts by TAMIU's College of Education focused on teacher education launches Wednesday, September 13, 2023 and is titled “Empowering Teachers & Enriching Communities -- Transforming Education Through Collaboration.”

TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Hosts Several Events this September

As the semester at TAMIU begins, several events are on the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts calendar. All events are free and open to the public.

Second Annual Billingual Education Conference, 'Unidos Para Texas,' Set Saturday, Sept. 16 at TAMIU

Some 400+ participants are expected for the 2023 TAMIU Second Annual Unidos Para Texas Bilingual Education Conference on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Student Center. The Conference theme is "Developing Thriving Teachers,” and some 28 presentations are scheduled across campus in four sessions, in addition to morning and noon distinguished keynote presenters. Participants are coming from across the State.

Julieta & Frank Staggs Acadey of International and STEM Studies to Host Fall Open House Sept. 23

An information session for parents and students interested in earning high school and college credit simultaneously at the Julieta and Frank Staggs Academy of International and STEM Studies at TAMIU is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 111.

Emergency Evacuation Drills Scheduled

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety in conjunction with the University Police Department and the Physical Plant will be conducting emergency evacuation drills the week of September 18, 2023. Other than this notice, no further date or time details will be provided.

During the drills, flashing lights and a siren/emergency message will be communicated building wide. All occupants must then…

1. Evacuate the building via your closest exit.
2. Head to your designated evacuation assemby area.
3. Do not return to the building until given the "All Clear" by a UPD Officer.

Each drill should last no more than 15 minutes from start to finish. Those helping carry out the drills will be wearing high-visibility vests or issued TAMIU uniforms. In preparation for these drills, please consider the following:

• Familiarize yourself with the various exits in the buildings you’re in. All exits are clearly marked with illuminated “EXIT” signs, along with the pathways to each. Note that your closest exit may be closer to you than the way you came in.
• Learn your Evacuation Assembly Area location(s). Each campus building has an assigned area to gather at away from the building for your safety and the safety of others.
• Identify the locations of your closest fire alarm pull station. These devices are used to activate the building evacuation alarm and are commonly located near exit doors and/or the ends of hallways.
• Familiarize yourself with your Building Emergency Coordinator (BEC). Most buildings have at least one BEC that should help during an emergency or evacuation.

Learn more about fire safety and other related resources via the Office of Environmental Health and Safety’s Fire & Life Safety page on their website. For questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

TAMIU Athletics Update

TAMIU is a member of the Lone Star Conference and competes in 11 sports: volleyball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, softball, baseball, men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's golf.

• Anna Ligart and Emma Lade Make All Tournament Team
• TAMIU Men's Soccer Secures Victory Over SDSM&T
• TAMIU Women's Soccer Delivers Thrilling Draw Against College of Staten Island
• TAMIU Volleyball Cruises Past CSU-Pueblo, 3-0

Upcoming Events

• 12th Class Day - Tuesday, Sept. 12
• Laredo Center for the Arts - Book Signing with Dr. Mehnaaz Momen - Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
• Closing Reception for Seeking a Way Out - Friday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m.
• Coffeehouse Wednesday - Sept. 20 at 10:30 a.m.
• Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium Schedule
• TAMIU Small Business Development Center Schedule

TAMIU News Hub

At Texas A&M International University our faculty, students, and staff know how to Go Beyond. Every day, they lead change, solve problems and advance thinking. Through instruction, faculty and student research and public service, TAMIU improves the quality of life for citizens of Laredo, the border region, the State of Texas, and national and international communities. We proudly share their stories through our weekly news distributions, online News Hub, digital and traditional publications, and our Trailblazer Weekly Bulletin. Share Our Beyond.

View our complete News Hub at https://go.tamiu.edu/newshub.