Texas A&M University-Texarkana has announced a three-year grant totaling $183,750 from the Texas Pioneer Foundation to establish a mentoring program for African-American male students at the university.

The Eagles Personal Achievement through Help (PATH) project at A&M-Texarkana is designed to reach African-American male students who need additional support and guidance to enhance their academic success.

According to a press release, participants in the program will be assigned a personal mentor, also an A&M-Texarkana student, with whom they can connect and engage at a deeper level in the learning process.

Mentors and mentees will meet weekly to discuss a variety of topics, including academic, personal and professional issues. The target goal is to provide mentorship services for 25 African-American male students annually.

Mentors and mentees also will participate in college events sponsored by Student Life, the Student Success Center and the Program for Learning and Community Engagement (PLACE) to help them engage with the college environment and to expose them to the myriad of activities and free services that are available to college students.

“With support of the Texas Pioneer Foundation grant, A&M-Texarkana peer mentors will have the ability to help African-African male students achieve their goals and impact the lives of these students for many years to come,” said Liz Patterson, assistant vice president for student success at A&M-Texarkana.

“Statistical data will be collected with a goal to establish a sustainable model that will recruit mentees who become mentors, graduate from college and continue their success in their chosen career field.”

“The Texas Pioneer Foundation is pleased to support the current and future students of A&M-Texarkana,” said Fred Markham, president of the foundation. “I believe this donation represents an investment in the future of these young men, as well as our community, our state and our region.”

Toney Favors, director of admissions, said the program will have a tremendous impact at the university and in the community.

“We are grateful to partner again with the Texas Pioneer Foundation.  The Eagles PATH project provides the opportunity to foster the development of African-American male students at TAMUT to achieve academic excellence and personal success,” Favors said. “This initiative provides mentoring, engagement, teamwork and scholarship opportunities to help students graduate from TAMUT and become valuable community leaders.”

Dr. Emily Cutrer, president, said the PATH project will complement other student success programs at A&M-Texarkana.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous support of the foundation and its members,” Dr. Cutrer said. “Over the years, the foundation has provided much-needed funding for student scholarships and other campus initiatives. Our students’ lives are better because of the funding we receive from wonderful organizations such as the Texas Pioneer Foundation.”

For more information on giving to Texas A&M University-Texarkana, contact LeAnne Wright, associate vice president for University Advancement, at LeAnne.Wright@tamut.edu or (903) 223-3078.

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