Source: AgriLife Today
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County and Texas A&M University-San Antonio have announced a partnership to help inspire at-risk Latino youth remain in school and pursue higher education.
“The Texas 4-H program is overseen by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, part of the Texas A&M University System,” explained Dr. Melinda Garcia, AgriLife Extension program specialist, Bexar County. “Now we’re joining with another part of the Texas A&M University System, TAMU-SA, to focus efforts on the Juntos 4-H program.”
A 4-H Programming Partnership inaugural celebration was held at TAMU-SA and attended by university president Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer Dr. Bill Spindle, special assistant to the vice president Dr. Arturo Alonso and others from the San Antonio campus. Dr. Courtney Dodd, state leader for Texas 4-H, and Dr. Manuel Pina, associate professor in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, both from College Station, were also in attendance.
“The Juntos 4-H program helps Latino youth and their families gain the knowledge and skills needed to remain in school and seek higher education,” Garcia explained. “It emphasizes family engagement and gives participants an opportunity to engage in real college experiences and develop leadership abilities.”
Teniente-Matson said the partnership was a “family affair” between Texas A&M entities and opens the door to other possible collaborations.
Alonso noted the Juntos 4-H program is compatible with the university’s desire to help students from underserved and/or low-income areas in and around San Antonio and other parts of the state attend college.
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