Humans of TAMIU – The Bridge News

EDUCATION: TAMIU hires new College of Nursing dean

23Oct

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Academia, Education, Features, Health, Humans of TAMIU, News, On Campus

EDUCATION: TAMIU hires new College of Nursing dean

EDUCATION: TAMIU hires new College of Nursing dean By Jose Ruben MartinezBridge contributing writerPublished Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 Elda G. Ramirez joined TAMIU this Fall as the new dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, indicating a new phase for the program. This appointment is described as a “full-circle moment” for the Laredo-born leader who began the position in August 2025 at Texas A&M International University. Sean Jimenez | BridgeDean of Nursing and Health Sciences Elda G. Ramirez poses in front of TAMIU's Acequia Fountain on Sept. 15, 2025. Ramirez's nursing journey began in her hometown, Laredo, where she volunteered at Mercy Hospital. “Once I had that experience in my life, I already knew what to do,” Ramirez said. By age 21, she completed ...

FEATURES: TAMIU community welcomes President Christopher Maynard

21Oct

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Features, Humans of TAMIU, News, On Campus

FEATURES: TAMIU community welcomes President Christopher Maynard

FEATURES: TAMIU community welcomes President Christopher Maynard By Kaily OlivoEditor-in-chiefPublished Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 As TAMIU’s Fall 2025 semester neared midterms, it also welcomed the new President Christopher Maynard on Oct. 2, 2025. When speaking to faculty, staff or others, Maynard is not shy about sharing his journey, experiences and priorities as the new Texas A&M International University president. Maynard’s journey to the presidency began without that initial idea in mind. Jesus Chaires | BridgeNew TAMIU President Christopher Maynard poses for a photo at the Student Center Ballroom on Sept. 18, 2025, during an early campus visit. He assumed his presidential duties on Oct. 2. “When I started looking … I was actually not looking to apply for a presidency ...

EDUCATION: New education dean joins TAMIU

20Oct

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Education, Features, Humans of TAMIU, News, On Campus

EDUCATION: New education dean joins TAMIU

EDUCATION: New education dean joins TAMIU By Xavier DiazBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 The University welcomed a new dean to the College of Education this semester. His arrival marks a new chapter for one of Texas A&M International University’s colleges. New Dean of Education Alfredo Ramirez started visiting classrooms and meeting with students and faculty early in the semester. He said he is eager to get to know the community. Sean Jimenez | BridgeDean of the College of Education Alfredo Ramirez poses for a portrait in his office on Sept. 25, 2025. “[We’re looking into] providing faculty with more financial resources because faculty need money to be able to travel to do research,” Ramirez said. “So, I am trying to come up with a dean’s innova...

FEATURES: San Miguel acclimates to provost promotion

3Dec

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Academia, Education, Features, Humans of TAMIU, News, On Campus

FEATURES: San Miguel acclimates to provost promotion

FEATURES: San Miguel acclimates to provost promotion By Neto GonzalezEditor-in-chiefPublished Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 In a significant change for TAMIU, the former College of Arts and Sciences dean stepped into the esteemed position of provost this semester. She brings with her a wealth of experience and a lifelong dedication to student success. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Claudia San Miguel was always deeply committed to higher education, and her journey to becoming Texas A&M International University’s provost is a testament to her dedication. Her recent appointment proves to be a dream come true; she can’t curb her enthusiasm for the promotion. “[I’m] absolutely thrilled, super excited, overjoyed, all of that level of enthusiasm when you finally achieve s...

FEATURE: TAMIU students start a food truck

20Oct

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Features, Humans of TAMIU

FEATURE: TAMIU students start a food truck

FEATURE: TAMIU students start a food truck By Allen LaurelBridge contributing writerPublished Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 Some students grab whatever jobs they can to get through college, but two TAMIU siblings decided to start up their own food truck. Adolfo Gonzalez and Samantha Gonzalez, the siblings behind Fito’s Tacos y Lonches, experienced success and began planning for their future while still attending Texas A&M International University. Since opening, the food truck has grown a local following. Neto Gonzalez | BridgeOwner Adolfo Gonzalez serves customer Juan Renteria at Fito's Tacos & Lonches Kitchen LLC food truck on May 3. “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from customers, which has been really encouraging,” Adolfo said. “We’re so grateful for the support....

CAMPUS: SOLE hosts Muslim inclusivity event on campus

5Oct

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Features, Humans of TAMIU, International Studies, On Campus

CAMPUS: SOLE hosts Muslim inclusivity event on campus

CAMPUS: SOLE hosts Muslim inclusivity event By Mireilly GonzalezFormer Managing EditorPublished Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 As part of the Social Justice Leadership Series, SOLE hosted an event to learn about Ramadan for April’s National Arab American Heritage Month. Ramadan is a month of fasting, which occurred from March 22 to April 20. It is one of the five pillars of faith. The five pillars are a declaration of faith, obligatory prayer, compulsory giving, fasting in the month of Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca. Two people invited were Assistant Professor of petroleum engineering Khaled A. Enab and Islamic Center of Laredo President Abdul Rahman, who oversees the only mosque in the city. According to Pew Research Center, an estimated 3.45 million Muslims of all ages lived in t...

NEWS: TAMIU remembers two historically significant members

30Mar

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Academia, Education, Humans of TAMIU

NEWS: TAMIU remembers two historically significant members

NEWS: TAMIU remembers two historically significant members By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Thursday, March 30, 2023 Late last year and early in 2023, the namesake of TAMIU’s Staggs Academy, Frank Staggs, and longtime TAMIU administrator Jose “Joe” García passed away. Staggs died on Dec. 20 and Garcia on Jan. 10. Former director of the 11th high school in Laredo, Patricia E. Uribe, shared Staggs’ praise by noting his lifetime educational contributions. Rolando Santos | TAMIU Public RelationsStaggs Academy namesake Frank Staggs, seated, honored by TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz, right, during Convocation on Oct. 6, 2022, in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. Vice President for Institutional Advancement Roseanne Palacios, left, and others clap for S...

28Mar

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Academia, Education, Features, Humans of TAMIU, News, On Campus, Professor Profile

NEWS: ‘Dean of deans’ retires in May

NEWS: ‘Dean of deans’ retires in May By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Tuesday, March 28, 2023 TAMIU Regents Professor, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Thomas Reagan Mitchell expects to retire at the end of May. Approaching 73, he says many people begin thinking about retirement at that age. The 50-year veteran of academia nearly didn’t make it after a bout with the novel coronavirus. Rolando Santos | TAMIU Public RelationsVice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Thomas Mitchell poses for a photo on campus in summer of 2020. “It causes you to reassess your life,” Mitchell said about his life-threatening case when contracting SARS-CoV-2 in the summer of 2021. “I ended up in the emergency room,” Mitchell recalled. “Before you know it, I was o...

9Mar

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Education, Features, Humans of TAMIU, On Campus, Professor Profile

FEATURE: President Arenaz advises students about careers

FEATURE: President Arenaz advises students about careers By Mireilly GonzalezManaging EditorPublished Thursday, March 9, 2023 TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz spoke to students at the Office of Career Services about his career journey. The Office of Career Services staff welcomed students into the breakroom. Coffee, cookies, and brownies were provided on a table at the back during the Feb. 1 event. This is Arenaz’s seventh year at TAMIU and his job experiences include being an assistant, associate, and full professor of biology. Mireilly Gonzalez | BridgeTAMIU President Pablo Arenaz speaks to students about careers and mentors. “In high school, I fell in love with biology,” Arenaz said of the start of his career path. “So when I went away to college, I knew exactly what I was...

FEATURE: Alumnus shares journey of pride association, activism

21Feb

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Alumni, Humans of TAMIU, On Campus

FEATURE: Alumnus shares journey of pride association, activism

FEATURE: Alumnus shares journey of pride association, activism By Mireilly GonzalezManaging EditorPublished Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 TAMIU alumnus Jorge Quijano stepped onto school grounds again to talk to students about breaking ground in LGBTQ+ activism. Students gathered at the STC 231, back in October 2022, to hear Quijano’s discussion on activism titled Advancing Laredo’s LGBT community. Quijano graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s in communication and a minor in marketing. Today, he’s the founder and president of Gateway City Pride Association and a marketing manager at Sames Auto Arena. Mireilly Gonzalez | BridgeTAMIU alumnus Jorge Quijano, left, speaks during a LGBTQ+ rights event held on Oct. 12, 2022. GCPA continued its pride parade and festival with drag perfor...

Archives