Texas State, SAC sign transfer/articulation agreement

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
February 26, 2010

Texas State University-San Marcos and San Antonio College administrators signed transfer/articulation agreements in biochemistry, chemistry and physics Feb. 24 in San Antonio.

“We are excited about this expanded partnership, which makes it easier for more SAC students to continue their studies at Texas State University, and earn a bachelor’s degree,” San Antonio College President Robert E. Zeigler.

Representatives from Texas State University included Perry D. Moore, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Robert Habingreither, College of Science associate dean. They both praised the partnership agreements between the two institutions, which also include the Puentes (Spanish for “bridge”) program that is designed to improve access to the baccalaureate for South Texans through STEM teaching and learning innovation.
Following the signing ceremony, guests toured the newly enhanced MESA (Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement) Study Center located in the Chance Academic Center at SAC, room 204. With increased space, additional furnishings and new computers, the multi-purpose Center offers workshops and supplemental instruction to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) students. It also provides meeting space for students, and center staff assist students with transferring to four-year universities.

SAC engineering major Liana LaPierre gave a student perspective during the event, saying, “The MESA Center is a good place for any STEM student to get involved with the projects we have going on, including robotics, hydroponics, solar panels and wake winch.”

“MESA gets you involved with your peers, peer tutoring, advice and support,” said LaPierre, who is also Treasurer of the SAC MAES (Mexican American Engineers and Scientists) chapter and a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) student club

Puentes is a two-year project funded by the Department of Education through the College Cost Reduction Access Act Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CCRAA HSI) Cooperative Grant program. The grant also helped fund the MESA Center expansion at SAC.

In 2007, SAC became the first site in Texas with a MESA Center. MESA Center national models are designed to help underrepresented minority students excel in math, science, and engineering, transfer from community college to four-year institutions, and graduate with baccalaureate degrees in those fields.

For more information, contact Mario Gutierrez, MESA Study Center coordinator, at (210) 486-1825 or mgutierrez375@alamo.edu.