Rosie Morales looks on as her son, Ricky, an incoming seventh-grade student at
Monday, July 26, 2010
Have your child immunized early and beat the rush
Rosie Morales looks on as her son, Ricky, an incoming seventh-grade student at
LCC's RadTec program receives high education marks
Caption: Laredo Community College's Radiologic Technology Program received its first ever, eight-year accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Pictured, Oscar Gomez, LCC RadTec Program director, points to an X-ray of a human hand as sophomore students Vanessa Quintanilla, left, and Elizabeth Anne Rojas look on.
For the first time in 35 years, Laredo Community College's Radiologic Technology Program has earned an eight-year accreditation - a rarity in higher education medical programs.
The unprecedented accreditation was awarded by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
"We've never been awarded that," Oscar Gomez, LCC's RadTec Program director and instructor, said.
JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education for the accreditation of radiology programs.
The last accreditation for the RadTec Program occurred in 2005 for a five-year accreditation, but earlier this year, JRCERT awarded the program an extension of three more years until 2013.
"The maximum award is eight years," Gomez said. "And because of our excellent review rating by the committee, our five-year accreditation was extended an additional 3 years for the first time in our program's history. It's great news for not only LCC, but the Laredo area as well."
According to Gomez, the committee conducted several external peer reviews that granted public recognition to the RadTec Program that met qualifications and educational standards. Gomez, who has overseen the program since coming on board in 1999, "has helped propel the radiology program as a top-rated program in the nation," said Dianna Miller, LCC interim vice president for instruction.
The LCC RadTec Program also was recognized last spring by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for having a 100-percent passage rate when students tested for a national exam. This makes the program one of the top 10 programs in the U.S.
Jonathan Amador, one of those students and now a graduate of the program, recalled how he first took interest in the radiology field.
"I was 16 years old when my father broke his finger and ended up in the hospital," Amador said. "They took an X-ray of his finger and said to me, 'Hey, this could be a cool job for you.' "
Within two years, Amador began working at an El Paso hospital as a transporter. It gave him the exposure needed to enter the radiology field. He then moved back to Laredo where he enrolled in the LCC RadTec Program.
"The LCC RadTec Program is a very rigorous program, but it's rewarding as well," Amador said. "It really challenges you as a student and as a person."
As part of the two-year program, students participate in clinical trials at area hospitals, including Laredo Medical Center, Providence and Doctors hospitals.
"We have had positive feedback from our affiliate hospitals," Gomez said. "Once our students graduate our program, they can compete anywhere in the U.S. because through this hands-on work, they'll have attained more than 2,000 hours of clinical training."
"We’re not just there at the hospitals or clinics shadowing radiologic technologists, but we get to actually do the exams doctors review," Amador said. "We work under the supervision of a registered technologist who critiques us on our images that we took of our patients. It's beneficial to us as students."
According to Amador, Gomez instilled perseverance to further their education as well.
Recently, Gomez attained his master's degree in Health Service Administration from the University of Saint Francis.
"I wanted to show my students that they can continue their education beyond our program," Gomez said. "The more education you have under your belt, the more opportunities you will have."
"The RadTec Program doesn't teach us to be complacent, but rather to learn more than just a radiologic technologist," Amador added.
For more information on the LCC RadTec Program, contact Oscar Gomez at 721-4508 or email at ogomez@laredo.edu.
Registration for the fall semester is currently under way. For other class information, contact the Registration Center at the LCC Fort McIntosh Campus at 721-5109 or the South Campus at 794-4110.
New helicopter ambulance lands at LCC campus
Caption: A Bell 206 Long Ranger helicopter landed at Laredo Community College’s Allied Health Building parking lot located in the Fort McIntosh Campus on Wednesday, June 21. Crews from Air-Evac Lifeteam showed LCC nursing students ways on how the new air ambulance service helps care and transport patients living in rural areas within Webb County. Pictured, from right to left, Amy Blick, Air-Evac Lifeteam program director, speaks to Minerva Vital, LCC nursing instructor; and LCC nursing pre-grad students Martha Zaragoza and Debra Santos. Looking on, from left to right, both from Air-Evac Lifeteam, Ty Fonte, RN paramedic; and Cris Cisneros, fly medic paramedic. This is the first time the air ambulance has been shown to any Laredo area school.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Laredo student participates in Congressional Internaship Program
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation's premier Hispanic youth leadership development and educational organization, is hosting Eduardo Gonzalez of Laredo, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, along with 29 other university students from across the United States for its nationally recognized and highly competitive Congressional Internship Program.
The CHCI interns are assigned to Congressional offices on Capitol Hill for eight weeks from June to August to learn first-hand about the nation's legislative process and issues pending before the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
"As a journalism student, this internship allows me to understand how the American political system works," Gonzalez said, CHCI GE Hispanic Forum Intern. "I consistently write stories about how the implementation of certain laws may affect the population, but now I will have the opportunity to actually partake in the process of legislation."
Gonzalez is majoring in journalism and Latin American studies and is currently placed with the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar.
The 2010 class of CHCI summer interns represents 12 different Hispanic ethnic backgrounds and is pursuing 16 different fields of study for their bachelor's degrees.
"This year's summer interns represent the most diverse class we've ever had at CHCII," said Esther Aguilera, CHCI president and CEO. "CHCI is committed to providing unmatched public policy experience and leadership training for Hispanic youth to develop and strengthen the civic dedication of talented Hispanic professionals and our nation’s future leaders."
Interns are responsible for conducting extensive legislative research, monitoring day-to-day hearings, managing constituent communications and assisting with general policy matters. Additionally, interns participate in weekly CHCI leadership development sessions, engage in policy discussions and meet with corporate representatives, national elected officials and foreign dignitaries.
CHCI's internship program provides all participants with housing, roundtrip transportation to and from Washington, D.C. and a $2,500 stipend. All of this is possible through longstanding support from Comcast Foundation, AstraZeneca, Time Warner Cable, PepsiCo Foundation, Hyundai Motor America, David Bohnett Foundation, General Electric Hispanic Forum and Southwest Airlines - the official airline of the Congressional Internship Program.
To complete the program, participants are also required to work on a collaborative community service project that serves the local Washington, D.C. ,metropolitan area. For this year's community service project, interns helped build a new home for low-income residents in partnership with Hyundai Motor America and Habitat for Humanity.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
LCC eyes record enrollment for fall 2010
By Nick Georgiou
Laredo Morning Times For the first time in its 63-year history, LCC is projected to enroll more than 10,000 students in the fall, college officials said Wednesday during a board budget workshop.
If their projections are right, Laredo Community College will enroll about 10,100 students.
That’s 8 percent growth from fall 2009, when LCC reached an all-time high enrollment of 9,353.
The continued growth at LCC comes at a good time, considering the college’s state appropriations will again be slashed by 5 percent, or $632,000, in the 2010-11 school year.
For complete coverage, click here
Laredo Morning Times For the first time in its 63-year history, LCC is projected to enroll more than 10,000 students in the fall, college officials said Wednesday during a board budget workshop.
If their projections are right, Laredo Community College will enroll about 10,100 students.
That’s 8 percent growth from fall 2009, when LCC reached an all-time high enrollment of 9,353.
The continued growth at LCC comes at a good time, considering the college’s state appropriations will again be slashed by 5 percent, or $632,000, in the 2010-11 school year.
For complete coverage, click here
County hosts jamaica for students
Larga Vista Community Center volunteers put the finishing face painting touches on student Kenya Sanchez during the fourth annual Back To School Jamaica sponsored by Webb County Commissioner Rosaura "Wawi" Tijerina. The annual event provides fun, food and entertainment for students before returning to school as well as a backpack filled with school supplies.
UISD resumes supply drive
United Independent School District officials are returning attention to the district's school emergency supply drive.
The drive starts Monday, July 19, and will run through Thursday, Aug. 12. Members of the community can make donations Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the administrative building, 201 Lindenwood Dr, and at the Student Activity Center, 5208 Santa Claudia Lane. Additional drop-off locations are expected to be announced soon.
Recent storms and flooding created unforeseen financial burdens for many Laredo families. This campaign is designed to help local families supply their students with the items they need for the new school year. UISD asks that individuals and businesses donate school supplies and uniforms at local drop-off locations. Gently used and undamaged school uniforms also accepted.
LCC bookstore unveils textbook rental program
Beginning this fall, the Laredo Community College Bookstore will give students a new lease on their sometimes budget-focused, hectic lives by offering a new textbook rental program to deliver maximum savings and convenience.
This innovative textbook rental program will allow students to rent their textbooks for less than 50 percent of the cost of purchasing a new printed textbook. Plus, as an added convenience, students will be able to rent their books either in the store at either the Fort McIntosh or South campus, or from the store's website at www.laredo.bncollege.com.
The initiative to offer a textbook rental program was a joint decision made by Laredo Community College and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers.
"We are committed to providing students with the widest range of content options and price points available," said Kim Otte, vice president at Barnes & Noble College Booksellers. "Whether students are interested in new books, used, digital, unbundled, or now rentals, they know they can find what they want at the Laredo Community College Bookstore."
There are several key features students should note about the program.
Students can pay the rental fees using any form of payment currently accepted by the bookstore - including student financial aid and campus debit cards. For security purposes, a valid credit card must also be provided regardless of the payment used for the rental fee.
Rented books can be highlighted or marked by students just as if they purchased a book and planned to sell it back to the bookstore.
Rentals can be converted into a purchase during the first two weeks of class.
The rental period is for the duration of the fall 2010 semester at LCC.
Books are due back at the bookstore no later than 10 days after the last day of finals (December 10). Students can return the books in person or mail them to the bookstore.
Courtesy emails will go out as the end of the semester approaches to remind students to return their books.
Books not returned (or returned in unusable condition) will be subject to replacement and processing fees.
Barnes & Noble began piloting their rental program earlier this year at 25 campus bookstores across the country.
Response from students where the program was piloted was tremendous, according to officials.
In particular, students like having the option of getting their books immediately, as opposed to waiting for a shipment to arrive. And, they appreciated knowing that the books they were renting were guaranteed to be the right books for their classes.
More than 90 percent of the students surveyed said they would rent from their campus bookstore again.
For more information, call the LCC Bookstore at 721-5250.
This innovative textbook rental program will allow students to rent their textbooks for less than 50 percent of the cost of purchasing a new printed textbook. Plus, as an added convenience, students will be able to rent their books either in the store at either the Fort McIntosh or South campus, or from the store's website at www.laredo.bncollege.com.
The initiative to offer a textbook rental program was a joint decision made by Laredo Community College and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers.
"We are committed to providing students with the widest range of content options and price points available," said Kim Otte, vice president at Barnes & Noble College Booksellers. "Whether students are interested in new books, used, digital, unbundled, or now rentals, they know they can find what they want at the Laredo Community College Bookstore."
There are several key features students should note about the program.
Students can pay the rental fees using any form of payment currently accepted by the bookstore - including student financial aid and campus debit cards. For security purposes, a valid credit card must also be provided regardless of the payment used for the rental fee.
Rented books can be highlighted or marked by students just as if they purchased a book and planned to sell it back to the bookstore.
Rentals can be converted into a purchase during the first two weeks of class.
The rental period is for the duration of the fall 2010 semester at LCC.
Books are due back at the bookstore no later than 10 days after the last day of finals (December 10). Students can return the books in person or mail them to the bookstore.
Courtesy emails will go out as the end of the semester approaches to remind students to return their books.
Books not returned (or returned in unusable condition) will be subject to replacement and processing fees.
Barnes & Noble began piloting their rental program earlier this year at 25 campus bookstores across the country.
Response from students where the program was piloted was tremendous, according to officials.
In particular, students like having the option of getting their books immediately, as opposed to waiting for a shipment to arrive. And, they appreciated knowing that the books they were renting were guaranteed to be the right books for their classes.
More than 90 percent of the students surveyed said they would rent from their campus bookstore again.
For more information, call the LCC Bookstore at 721-5250.
Keene appointed UTHSC regional dean
Gladys C. Cronfel Keene, MD, MPH, has been appointed the regional dean of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio's regional campus in Laredo, a newly created position.
"After an extensive national search, Dr. Keene was selected because of her experience, communication skills and enthusiasm, and for her expertise and intimate understanding of Laredo and South Texas," said Health Science Center President William L. Henrich, MD, MACP. "I am confident that Dr. Keene will be an outstanding leader who will advance our Laredo campus and programs to new levels of achievement in academics, clinical care, research and service."
Keene has served as executive director of the Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area of Texas since 1993. In that capacity, she has worked closely with UT Health Science Center programs to interest students in health careers, provide health professionals with resources and educate area residents about healthy living. The program has served more than 50,000 program participants over 17 years.
Her UTHSC faculty posts include clinical associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics since 2000 and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies since 2005. She has been chair of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Health Issues since 2007.
Keene is a bilingual diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Board of Allergy-Immunology Conjoint, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Keene has more than 35 years of experience providing care to patients with allergy and asthma disorders in Laredo and the surrounding communities. She and her husband, Roger H. Keene, MD, who also is a bilingual board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology, have practiced together in Laredo since 1975. Before entering private practice, Keene was a physician with the 97th General Army Hospital in Darmstadt, Germany; in the Maternity and Infant Care Division Clinic with the Harris County Health Department in Houston; and with the Gateway Community Health Center in Laredo.
Keene earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with honors from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio in 1960, her Medical Doctor degree with honors from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) in 1965 and her Master of Public Health degree in community medicine from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 1994. She completed an internship at Robert B. Green Hospital in San Antonio in 1966, a pediatric residency at UTMB in Galveston in 1974 and a fellowship in child development and allergy at UTMB in 1975.
Keene is an accomplished researcher of respiratory diseases and has published and presented her findings in asthma education and management. She is active in numerous community service, education and health-related programs and has been honored by Laredo Community College, the Laredo City Council and Our Lady of the Lake University.
Keene and her husband have one son, Mark Alan Keene, JD.
"After an extensive national search, Dr. Keene was selected because of her experience, communication skills and enthusiasm, and for her expertise and intimate understanding of Laredo and South Texas," said Health Science Center President William L. Henrich, MD, MACP. "I am confident that Dr. Keene will be an outstanding leader who will advance our Laredo campus and programs to new levels of achievement in academics, clinical care, research and service."
Keene has served as executive director of the Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area of Texas since 1993. In that capacity, she has worked closely with UT Health Science Center programs to interest students in health careers, provide health professionals with resources and educate area residents about healthy living. The program has served more than 50,000 program participants over 17 years.
Her UTHSC faculty posts include clinical associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics since 2000 and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies since 2005. She has been chair of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Health Issues since 2007.
Keene is a bilingual diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Board of Allergy-Immunology Conjoint, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Keene has more than 35 years of experience providing care to patients with allergy and asthma disorders in Laredo and the surrounding communities. She and her husband, Roger H. Keene, MD, who also is a bilingual board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology, have practiced together in Laredo since 1975. Before entering private practice, Keene was a physician with the 97th General Army Hospital in Darmstadt, Germany; in the Maternity and Infant Care Division Clinic with the Harris County Health Department in Houston; and with the Gateway Community Health Center in Laredo.
Keene earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with honors from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio in 1960, her Medical Doctor degree with honors from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) in 1965 and her Master of Public Health degree in community medicine from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 1994. She completed an internship at Robert B. Green Hospital in San Antonio in 1966, a pediatric residency at UTMB in Galveston in 1974 and a fellowship in child development and allergy at UTMB in 1975.
Keene is an accomplished researcher of respiratory diseases and has published and presented her findings in asthma education and management. She is active in numerous community service, education and health-related programs and has been honored by Laredo Community College, the Laredo City Council and Our Lady of the Lake University.
Keene and her husband have one son, Mark Alan Keene, JD.
Laredoans earn degrees from UNT
The following students from Laredo received degrees at the University of North Texas' spring 2010 commencement ceremonies:
- Christopher Edmund Buckley , DMA in Performance
- Gracie Castillo , BA in Sociology
- Jesus Osvaldo Garcia , BA in Radio, Television and Film
- Michael Garcia , BM in General, Choral & Instrumental Music
- Brenda Denise Saucedo , BFA in Studio Art
UNT is one of Texas' largest universities, offering 97 bachelor's, 101 master's and 48 doctoral degree programs. Many of these programs are nationally and internationally recognized. A student-centered public research university, UNT is the flagship campus of the UNT System.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Trustee wants Nixon HS renovated
By Nick Georgiou
Laredo Morning Times
Throughout the years, facilities at Nixon High School have been neglected while tens of millions of construction dollars have been poured into Martin and Cigarroa, said George M. Beckelhymer, president of the LISD Board of Trustees.
During back-to-back meetings last week, in which trustees tried to prioritize construction projects that LISD promised voters in the 2005 and 2006 bond elections, a visibly frustrated Beckelhymer said Nixon High cannot be ignored any longer.
"I sat quietly for the most part for six years and watched a couple of board members drive the majority of construction projects for alma mater's sake, for the sake of their area," Beckelhymer told his fellow Laredo Independent School District trustees.
"And I didn't realize, or maybe I'm wrong, that administration was kowtowing to these individuals as they did their prioritizations.
"It’s not a coincidence that a significant amount of Nixon's work that has been planned out for a decade has been thrown to the side.
That's just a simple fact."
The most pressing issue facing the poorly laid out Nixon High is the traffic-safety issues that students face when crossing busy streets to get from class to class.
For complete coverage, click here
Laredo Morning Times
Throughout the years, facilities at Nixon High School have been neglected while tens of millions of construction dollars have been poured into Martin and Cigarroa, said George M. Beckelhymer, president of the LISD Board of Trustees.
During back-to-back meetings last week, in which trustees tried to prioritize construction projects that LISD promised voters in the 2005 and 2006 bond elections, a visibly frustrated Beckelhymer said Nixon High cannot be ignored any longer.
"I sat quietly for the most part for six years and watched a couple of board members drive the majority of construction projects for alma mater's sake, for the sake of their area," Beckelhymer told his fellow Laredo Independent School District trustees.
"And I didn't realize, or maybe I'm wrong, that administration was kowtowing to these individuals as they did their prioritizations.
"It’s not a coincidence that a significant amount of Nixon's work that has been planned out for a decade has been thrown to the side.
That's just a simple fact."
The most pressing issue facing the poorly laid out Nixon High is the traffic-safety issues that students face when crossing busy streets to get from class to class.
For complete coverage, click here
Flooding extends LCC late registration
Because of the severe weather last week, Laredo Community College
Students planning on enrolling for the second summer session can still do so during late registration today. Late registration was extended from Thursday, July 8, to Monday, July 12.
Late registration is currently open today until 7 p.m. at the Registration Centers at LCC Fort McIntosh and South campuses.
Payment of tuition and fees is due by 7 p.m. in person at the Bursar's Office or by 11 p.m. with a credit or debit card via the PASPort student account system.
A $10 late registration fee will be assessed.
Classes for summer session two began Thursday, July 8, and will run through Tuesday, Aug. 10.
For more information, contact the
Friday, July 9, 2010
Rare health care profession taught at LCC
More than a year after its inception, Laredo Community College's Coding Certificate Program is working to meet the needs of Laredo and surrounding communities as students earn certification for a growing health care demand for medical coders.
Medical coders, or technicians, are trained professionals who assign a specific number or "code" to medical diagnosis and procedures performed by health care professionals, such as physicians. They work in the billing office of medical practices, clinics, or hospitals and help complete, review, and process medical claims.
"Medical coders are a rarity in Laredo," Norma Moore, LCC's Medical Assistant Program director, said.
In spring 2009, Hugo Garcia, a registered health information technician, began teaching in the Coding Certificate Program at LCC and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to students.
Garcia is one of a handful of professional coders in the area, with more than 13 years of experience at various health care institutions throughout south Texas.
"Many people don't realize that medical coders are found in almost every hospital or doctor's offices," Garcia said. "As soon as you walk into that emergency room or office, your disease or diagnosis has a numeric value."
"For example, if the doctor removes a cyst, a number is assigned to that," Garcia added. "Every imaginable thing that is done to a person has a number." Garcia added. "Medical coders then compile those numbers for insurance and billing purposes."
LCC's coding certificate is a 10.5-month program where students are introduced to pharmacology, medical insurance and pathophysiology, among others classes. The program also includes a practicum where the students serve as interns in a medical records department in a clinic or hospital.
"These classes give students a competitive advantage because we expose them and help them understand the intricacies of medical records," Moore added.
The coding certificate also serves as an entry-level gateway into becoming a health care professional, such as a nurse, medical office manager, billing clerk, or medical assistant.
Once students complete the program, they can sit for the Certified Coding Specialist exam and have entry-level billing and coding skills to work at a doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
Seasoned coders can earn up to $70,000 a year.
Advising for the fall semester will continue through Aug. 12 at either the LCC Fort McIntosh or South campuses in the Student Success Center. The payment deadline is August 19.
The first day of the fall 2010 semester is Aug. 23.
For more information on the Coding Certificate Program, contact Norma Moore at 721-5265 or email at nmoore@laredo.edu.
For other class registration information, contact the Registration Center at the LCC Fort McIntosh at 721-5109 or the South Campus at 794-4110.
Medical coders, or technicians, are trained professionals who assign a specific number or "code" to medical diagnosis and procedures performed by health care professionals, such as physicians. They work in the billing office of medical practices, clinics, or hospitals and help complete, review, and process medical claims.
"Medical coders are a rarity in Laredo," Norma Moore, LCC's Medical Assistant Program director, said.
In spring 2009, Hugo Garcia, a registered health information technician, began teaching in the Coding Certificate Program at LCC and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to students.
Garcia is one of a handful of professional coders in the area, with more than 13 years of experience at various health care institutions throughout south Texas.
"Many people don't realize that medical coders are found in almost every hospital or doctor's offices," Garcia said. "As soon as you walk into that emergency room or office, your disease or diagnosis has a numeric value."
"For example, if the doctor removes a cyst, a number is assigned to that," Garcia added. "Every imaginable thing that is done to a person has a number." Garcia added. "Medical coders then compile those numbers for insurance and billing purposes."
LCC's coding certificate is a 10.5-month program where students are introduced to pharmacology, medical insurance and pathophysiology, among others classes. The program also includes a practicum where the students serve as interns in a medical records department in a clinic or hospital.
"These classes give students a competitive advantage because we expose them and help them understand the intricacies of medical records," Moore added.
The coding certificate also serves as an entry-level gateway into becoming a health care professional, such as a nurse, medical office manager, billing clerk, or medical assistant.
Once students complete the program, they can sit for the Certified Coding Specialist exam and have entry-level billing and coding skills to work at a doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
Seasoned coders can earn up to $70,000 a year.
Advising for the fall semester will continue through Aug. 12 at either the LCC Fort McIntosh or South campuses in the Student Success Center. The payment deadline is August 19.
The first day of the fall 2010 semester is Aug. 23.
For more information on the Coding Certificate Program, contact Norma Moore at 721-5265 or email at nmoore@laredo.edu.
For other class registration information, contact the Registration Center at the LCC Fort McIntosh at 721-5109 or the South Campus at 794-4110.
UISD bus routes
Information can be found at the following sites:
- Individual school campuses (during registration)
- UISD website: http://www.uisd.net on Aug. 9 (click on the Bus Routes icon and the Bus Finder icon)
- North routes: (956) 473-6330
South routes: (956) 473-5230
The complete bus route schedule will be available in the Aug. 15 edition of Laredo Morning Times
LCC administrator attends global meeting in Mexico
A select group of 38 individuals from around the world, including a Laredo Community College administrator, attended the 76th annual "Jornada Informativa del IME," or a meeting of professionals of Mexican descent living abroad, held June 2-5 in Mexico City.
Felix Gamez, LCC's Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management, represented the United States during the conference. This was the first time LCC was invited to attend the Mexican Foreign Affairs Department's event.
This year's theme focused on the importance of having colleges and universities throughout the world work more closely on projects that affect global industries.
Representatives from Japan, Australia, China, France, Canada, Germany, Holland, and New Zealand also were among the guests.
"The top three global issues we face today are in the science, education, and technology field," Gamez said. "The Mexican government realizes that strong cooperation among countries is important. When institutions share ideas and resources, a country will be in a better position to focus on their issues much better."
A segment of the conference time was devoted to the education field.
Based on information provided during the conference, Gamez said that private and public sectors all over the world agree that college and university graduates need to have better critical thinking skills in order to solve problems.
"One possible solution to this is for LCC to take a leadership role in developing a program geared toward enhancing both critical thinking and communication in both English and Spanish," Gamez said.
According to Gamez, the ability to communicate well has been the main problem for all industries, and language barriers create a bigger problem.
"Two of the most spoken languages in the world are English and Spanish," Gamez added. As the world's top countries with the largest population and economic power, China and India have adopted English as one of their 'business' languages.
"The logical recommendation to be more competitive in the global economy of any industry sector is to master the critical thinking skills in both English and Spanish," Gamez said.
Gamez is currently working with LCC administrators to establish the college as a forerunner in teaching critical thinking skills and English throughout the globe using distance learning technology. That issue will be presented to the group next year.
"The goal of all this is that in order for something to work, there needs to be continuity," Gamez said.
All 38 guests have been invited to attend next year's meeting in Mexico City.
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