KINGSVILLE (News Release) — Texas A&M University-Kingsville was one of 60 institutions of higher education in the state that received funding from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The university received $727,170 for two grants from a total of $26.2 million awarded. The grants are supported by a portion of the $362 million in Governor’s Emergency Educational Relief Funding that has been allocated to the THECB.

Texas A&M-Kingsville received $300,000 through the Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program and $427,170 through the Accelerating Credentials of Purpose and Value Grant Program.

Dr. Darin Hoskisson, assistant vice president of enrollment management, will be directing the Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program. “The grant is specifically designed to provide direct scholarship assistance to students who have stopped their education.

“These are students who have some higher education credits, with any college or university, but never graduated. It does not matter how long they have been out of school, it could be one semester or 50 years,” Hoskisson said.

“The pandemic has created a lot of upheaval in people’s lives. It has affected employment and financial well-being. This is an opportunity that is meant to help people reskill or upskill to improve their job prospects,” he said.

Not all degree programs are eligible as the grant was specifically tied to high demand jobs for the area as determined by the Texas Workforce Commission. There is a long list of eligible degrees, both graduate and undergraduate, spanning all the colleges at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Students do have to have financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Individuals interested in learning more about the program may contact Carol Exum in the Office of Student Financial Aid at 361-593-5372 or financial.aid@tamuk.edu.

The Accelerating Credentials of Purpose and Value Grant Program will be run by Dr. Maria Velez-Hernandez, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Richard Laughlin, assistant professor in the biology and health sciences department.

term, industry program, institutions will create or expand short-term, industry-recognized postsecondary credentials that incorporate skills and knowledge required by high-demand careers that stem from digital skills, data analytics and front-line healthcare programs.

Velez-Hernandez said Texas A&M-Kingsville will be adding a 12-month post-baccalaureate certification in health sciences. “This program will include courses in histology, biochemistry, human anatomy and physiology, neurobiology, cellular physiology, bacteriology, pathophysiology and medical ethics,” she said. “Students will be able to apply for jobs as front-line health care workers and be better prepared to go to professional schools.”

To find out more about this program, contact Velez-Hernandez at 361-593-3181 or maria.hernandez-velez@tamuk.edu; Laughlin at 361-593-3504 or richard.laughlin@tamuk.edu; or the biology and health sciences department at 361-593-3803.

The grants are designed to help Texans access higher-paying jobs through completion of postsecondary credential.

“To remain competitive, we must lead the nation at producing credentials of value that meet the needs of our fast-growing economy,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Harrison Keller. “We need to emphasize the importance of credentials that are affordable, attainable and bring value to the lives of all Texans.”