University wins second Star Award

Texas A&M University has once again received the prestigious Texas Higher Education Star Award from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The 2003 Star Award went to the College of Science and Technology’s Pathways to Success in Science program. Since its inception in 1995, Pathways has increased enrollment of non-traditional students in medical, dental and other professional schools by 500 percent and has contributed to a 385 percent increase in research dollars.

The Star Award is given each year to higher education institutions and individuals for exceptional contributions to one or more of the goals of Closing the Gaps by 2015, the state’s higher education plan. Closing the Gaps seeks to eliminate barriers and close the educational gaps in participation, success, excellence and research among non-traditional students such as women, Hispanics and African-Americans.

Pathways strives to build self-confidence in students through peer mentoring, freshman learning communities, participation in research experiences and scientific meetings and opportunities for fellowships and scholarships.
The University previously won the Star Award in November 2001 for its First-Year Learning Communities program.