TRIO Technology Education Camp students learn about business technology.
College of Business hosts Technology Education Camp
(June 25, 2002)--Chino Rao, associate professor of information systems, has taken a more youthful approach to his lecture material this week. Partnering with the TRIO programs, Rao has been instructing a group of high school sophomores and juniors participating in the Technology Education Camp.
The students are participants in the TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) Program and reside in Crystal City, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde. The camp, a new venture for TRIO, provides hands-on experience for students in the fields of business and technology. Students are learning how businesses use information technology to become more efficient.
"We are very excited about this program," said Rita Cortez, executive director of the TRIO programs. "Dr. Rao has been wonderful to work with, and we hope to continue this program next year."
Rao developed the curriculum for the program and is their main instructor. The camp, which is taught in the college's state-of-the-art computer decision lab, includes instruction on business software, guest lectures and interactive team projects. The students also toured the Dell Computer plant in Austin last week.
Business faculty members who presented guest lectures included Dennis Duchon, Keith Fairchild, Martha Fasci, James Groff, Jerry Keating, Joel Saegert and Ken Weiher. Teaching assistants for the camp were Roy Calvo, Frank Kypuros, Jerry Lindemann, David Teneyuca and Phuong Tran. The program was directed by Maribel Ramon, coordinator of the TRIO Educational Talent Search program.
"Activities such as these are excellent opportunities for students to learn more about UTSA," said College of Business Dean Bruce Bublitz. "We hope that these students will be inspired by their experiences this week to become future UTSA business majors."
ETS is one of several federal TRIO Programs funded by the Department of Education and administered at UTSA. The programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO programs, which originally consisted of three programs. While student financial aid programs help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, TRIO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.
ETS is designed to encourage students to complete high school and enter a
university, college, junior college, technical or vocational school. The program
provides academic advising and career planning to students in the sixth through
twelfth grades to help them assess academic options and understand what is
needed for various careers. Participants are assisted in corresponding with
various colleges and universities for admission, financial aid, and enrollment
information and are taken on campus tours to expose them to campus life, college
courses, and dormitory living. Workshops are presented on subjects such as
college course selection, decision making, goal setting, test-taking, study
skills, and leadership skills in order to increase their understanding of
the importance of continuing their education and planning for the future.
ETS provides program services to approximately 650 economically disadvantaged students in several areas of South Texas including Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Uvalde, Carrizo Springs and Crystal City. Each outreach area serves local schools and school districts as well as surrounding communities. The majority of participants are the first in their family to attempt a college education.
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