TSU ANNOUNCES $100,000 AT&T CONTRIBUTION FOR CUTTING-EDGE TECH IMPROVEMENTS AT UNIVERSITY’S URBAN ACADEMIC VILLAGE
New, state-of-the-art computer lab will boost training, improve tutoring and mentoring at student intervention program focused on keeping underserved, first-generation, minority freshmen students on track and in school
AT&T today awarded Texas Southern University (TSU) a $100,000 AT&T contribution to support the school’s Urban Academic Village (UAV), an innovative student support and workforce preparation program to help underserved, first-generation, minority freshmen students stay on track to successfully complete their college education.
The grant was announced today during an event at TSU with State Sen. Rodney Ellis and State Reps. Garnet Coleman, Senfronia Thompson, and Sylvester Turner.
“This program is so important to our first-generation, minority freshmen students who may struggle in their freshman year and for others who will soon be looking for a job after graduation,” said Dr. John Rudley, TSU President. “We are grateful to AT&T for their contribution to this important program and look forward to putting that $100,000 to work for our students.”
Dave Nichols, President of AT&T Texas, said, “AT&T is proud to support the UAV mission with this contribution to Texas Southern University. This contribution will put real tools and technologies on the ground and into the hands of students. We applaud both the student tutors and mentors who give their time for this innovative, hands-on program, as well as those students who are taking full advantage of the UAV and are working hard for their college education so they can achieve their dreams, for themselves and for their families.”
The contribution is part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature education initiative focused on school success and career readiness. With an unwavering commitment to data-driven education outcomes, AT&T Aspire has impacted more than 1 million students since its launch in 2008.
“Education has been a priority for AT&T for more than a century. We believe that when we invest in education, we are making our communities stronger, safer and more economically viable,” Nichols added. “Investing in a well-educated workforce may be the single most important thing we can do to support a strong global economy – and that is why AT&T has committed a total of $350 million to education through Aspire.”
The UAV is an innovative program that engages sophomore and junior students with at least a 3.0 GPA as tutors and mentors to freshmen students who are underserved, first-generation, and minority to help them stay on track to successfully complete their college education. This center is open 24/7 and currently accommodates 400 students with the capacity to serve up to 800 students.
With the UAV student breakdown of 97% African-American, 2% Hispanic/Latino and 1% Asian, the UAV has a current pass rate of 78%, with 67 of 150 students in the 2013-2014 cohort performing at a 3.0 GPA level or higher, and 39 students of the 150 students performing at a 3.4 GPA level or higher. Constantly being evaluated and modified, the UAV plans for full implementation for the entire entering freshmen class, about 1,200 students, in academic year 2015-2016. TSU’s ability to address the needs of its low income and nontraditional freshmen students is paramount in increasing their retention and overall graduation rates.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, November 21st 2014 at 2:31PM
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