ON THE MALL
Both St. Thomas and HCC are designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions. HCC, a public two-year system of six community colleges under one system administration, is the second-largest community college in the United States.
and completion among these populations. Both institutions will implement a seamless transfer program driven by a new model articulation agreement. St. Thomas will add online tutoring services that align with the HCC online tutoring system. Both institutions will add a STEM transfer coordinator and include mentoring and outreach conducted by faculty, mentors and peers to increase student engagement in STEM fields. A $747,000 STEM scholarship endowment will be created at both institutions. Revenues will be increased through new transfer enrollments, strong retention and external funding. Student learning, retention and completion will be increased through improved teaching and learning strategies, increased STEM faculty engagement and peer mentoring and tutoring. A year-round undergraduate research program will engage faculty members from St. Thomas and HCC with students from both institutions. Five STEM labs at HCC campuses aligned with St. Thomas STEM labs will provide a seamless transition to baccalaureate-level coursework.
St. Thomas will expand its assessment services for STEM programs and add an assessment coordinator to improve student outcomes. The strategies will include program-level evaluations and integrating STEM faculty in the process. Dr. John Palasota, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, will serve as the St. Thomas project director. Dr. Juan Carlos Reina will serve as the HCC project director. Dr. Yiyan Bai and Dr. Jyoti Wagle of HCC and Dr. Ruthann Bagnall of UST will serve as co-directors.
UST Joins Red River Athletic Conference UST’s expanding intercollegiate sports program will compete for championships this year as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Red River Conference. The 15-member conference hosts championships in 13 sports. Member universities include Bacone College, HustonTillotson University, Jarvis Christian College, Langston University, Louisiana State UniversityShreveport, Northwood University, Our Lady of the Lake University, Paul Quinn College, Southwestern Assemblies of God, Texas College, Texas Wesleyan University, University of Texas-Brownsville, University of the Southwest and Wiley College. The athletic department made the move to the Red River Conference after competing in the Association of Independent Institutions Conference for five years. (more at stthom.edu/sports)
Friends Support University of St. Thomas William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies
2011 Irish Gala chairs Kate and Bob Signorelli with Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza.
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Friends and supporters of the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies gathered at the home of Chairs Kate and Bob Signorelli on Sept. 12 to thank gala underwriters. The gala, on Nov. 4, raises funds for scholarships, academic programs and study abroad in Ireland. This year’s honorees are Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza of the Archdiocese of Galveston- Houston, Bishop Emeritus John McCarthy of the Diocese of Austin and Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Vincent M. Rizzotto of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. (more at stthom.edu/irishstudies)