For Javier Ramirez Jr., beginning his journey at South Texas College means staying close to home while he prepares for a career in civil engineering through a partnership between the college and Texas A&M University.<\/p>\n
Ramirez is among the 36 new \u201cJaggies\u201d who are part of the fourth cohort of the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at STC. The students recently attended a New Student Conference and \u201cHowdy Day\u201d at STC\u2019s Pecan Campus.<\/p>\n
The event introduced students and their parents to academic resources, program expectations and the community that will support them as they begin the fall semester coenrolled at STC and Texas A&M University. With his dreams set on one day entering Texas A&M College Station, Ramirez said his roots in the Valley assure he will one day return and build a stronger region.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really get to see how a small town grows and how you grow up with it,\u201d Ramirez said. \u201cI want to study something that will help me come back someday and give back to my community and my home.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Ramirez, attending Texas A&M has been a goal ever since he first visited College Station for a football game with his older brother, who later graduated from the university.<\/p>\n
While he initially wanted to leave for College Station immediately after high school, Ramirez said learning about the Academy helped him realize the value of beginning at STC.<\/p>\n
\u201cI realized I should slow it down a bit,\u201d he said. \u201cThe program still lets me be here at home and take advantage of what I have before I even decide to leave the Valley. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maricruz Hinojosa, project manager with the Texas A&M Engineering Academies Program, said some members of the incoming cohort have spent as long as two years preparing for admission.<\/p>\n
Hinojosa said the new jaggies now enter an entirely new world that will require them developing new study groups for math and physics courses, while creating more activities outside of the classroom to strengthen the bond with their peers.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we celebrate that they are in, and that they made it, but now is the true beginning of their journey,\u201d she said. \u201cEngineering, math and science are going to be challenging, so we are going to provide the support services that will help them excel in the academy.\u201d<\/p>\n
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