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PREP students learn about computer technology on
the latest equipment.

TexPREP earns Star Award from state coordinating board

(Oct. 24, 2002)--The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has selected the Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) at the University of Texas at San Antonio as a recipient of a Texas Higher Education Star Award. The award recognizes exemplary contributions toward increasing the number of Texas students who choose to pursue higher education.

The program was founded in 1979 by UTSA Professor Manuel Berriozabal as the San Antonio Prefreshmen Engineering Program. Since its inception, it has been replicated in 13 other Texas cities. NASA recently supported a nationwide replication of the program.

TexPREP identifies achieving middle and high school students with the interest and potential for careers in science, engineering and technology, and other mathematics-related areas and reinforces them in the pursuit of these fields. The eight-week, mathematics-based academic program designed for students in grades six through eleven allows students to receive up to one elective credit toward high school graduation for each successfully completed summer of TexPREP.

More than 20,000 students have successfully completed at least the first summer component, and 80 percent of the students have come from minority groups underrepresented in science and engineering professions. The academic program is staffed by professionals from various disciplines and industries such as college faculty, high school teachers, industrial engineers, scientists and mathematicians. The program also enlists the help of assistant mentors, typically undergraduate engineering, mathematics and science majors.

The program, which involves a partnership of 23 higher education institutions, provides enrichment sessions to participating students. At least 1,355 of former participants are enrolled in related disciplines at higher education institutions, and at least another 859 have graduated from related programs.

This year's Star Award winners include Baylor College of Medicine, Lamar University, San Jacinto College-North Campus, Texas Woman's University, University of Texas at El Paso and University of Texas-Pan American.

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TODAY'S HEADLINES:

Alamo City Actors Guild presents 'Boy Gets Girl'
Fiscal services announces Spring 2003 recreation fee increase
Technology entrepreneurs to speak at UTSA Nov. 5
UTSA to serve as Precinct 3149 polling station Nov. 5
TexPREP earns Star Award from state coordinating board

UTSA Today Front Page

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© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2002