Note: This is the last of three installments on the ongoing retention problem at Texas A&M University- Kingsville. This series will review the reasons for the exodus as well as attempt to provide perspective on the university’s plan to identify a solution to the problem. |
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They say good things come in small packages, and that’s exactly why students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville keep coming back to the campus year after year until they reach graduation.
TAMUK is a small campus and ironically that is what students like about it.
“With big schools its easy to get lost in all that they have. I think with our school you end up finding yourself. TAMUK becomes a part of who you are. We’re a family,” Said Jai Leal, senior kinesiology major, “I’ve grown a lot since I’ve been here. I learned to do things for myself and be very independent. Everyone has their own challenges and I think that TAMUK has prepared me to overcome them on my own.”
Students enjoy the small school atmosphere because they find the student to teacher ratio to be an asset to their studies. They feel like this learning environment gives them plenty of opportunities.
“Some people stay at TAMUK because they like the small town atmosphere and they don’t want the distractions of a city life,” said Brittney Dimas, junior double major in psychology and English.
Another reason why students choose to stay at TAMUK is because there are many scholarship opportunities.
“I’ve stayed because I have a scholarship that pays for my school. I think some stay because its a smaller campus and you get more one on one with the professors” said Caitlyn Shoemate, freshman biology major.
TAMUK is dedicated to helping students find a way to achieve a quality education. In addition to university scholarships being awarded there are also many private scholarships
“I get the presidential blue scholarship, I get $500 a semester. Any bit helps because I don’t want to pull out loans if I don’t have to” said Victoria Martinez, junior architectural engineering.
This idea of attending a small university where the students and faculty are more “close knit” is what seems to attract the majority of students. It is very easy to be involved on campus and meet people.
“Our university is like a big family,” said Ashley Salinas, President of the Campus Activities Board. “We meet, we hug and laugh, we help our university, and then one day we walk the stage.”