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Dear University community,

Happy Valentine’s Day to all! Let’s show some love for Spirit Week, Feb. 14 – 19. Check out our magical schedule below.

• Here at TAMIU, we take pride in encouraging everyone to “Go Beyond.” And you do, every day in many ways. Last week, we learned that TAMIU alum Alejandra Ávila (’11) has Gone Beyond in truly spectacular fashion. She’s been selected as a judicial law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. We congratulate her commitment, persistence, and visionary excellence. Read about her tremendous accomplishment here.
• Our observance of Black History Month @ TAMIU continues.
• Wednesday, Feb. 16 @ 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. STC 230 - Social Justice Leadership Series presents Conscious Coffee Hour presents "Voicing Afro-Latinx Histories & Identities." Guest speaker Allison C. Roman, better known as Alli, is a Black Latina educator, storyteller, and social justice advocate and will share a conversation about Afrolatinidad with our TAMIU community. This is an in-person and Alli will join virtually. Open to all TAMIU community members. Open to all TAMIU community members. Students receive Trailblazers Credit, a free Social Justice Leadership Series wristband, and a $10 Aramark Food Voucher! More here: More here: https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/7621250
• Coming next week…
• Wednesday, Feb. 23 @ 4:30-5:30 p.m. STC 230 - Social Justice Leadership Series presents an in-person panel discussion, "Black Experiences at TAMIU." TAMIU faculty and students will share their experiences. Guest panelists include Dr. Peter Haruna (Professor and Director of Public Administration, Dr. Varaidzo Zvobgo (Assistant Professor of Public Administration), Simileoluwa Odunuga (undergraduate student), and other student leaders. Open to all TAMIU community members. Students receive Trailblazers Credit, a free Social Justice Leadership Series wristband, and a $10 Aramark Food Voucher! See more here: https://trailblazers.tamiu.edu/event/7621266
• The College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Fine and Performing Arts, in collaboration with Tim Rubel Human Shakes, invites individuals to enjoy an evening of story-driven dance performances focusing on love stores, as told through marginalized, Queer voices. The performance, “The Culture of Love/La Cultura Del Amor” takes the stage Friday, Feb. 25, and Saturday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. at TAMIU's Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) Theater. Admission to the dance performances is free.
• Prior to the dance performances, a three-day Master Class Series by members of Tim Rubel Human Shakes is scheduled Feb. 24 – 26 at CFPA room 122. The classes are free and open to the public. Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information, contact Tim Rubel, assistant professor of Dance at 956.326.2625, or email timothy.rubel@tamiu.edu.
• TAMIU CARES/ARP Grant assistance applications are open and offer over $7.5 million in student assistance for eligible students this semester. Learn more here. Deadline to apply is nearing, it’s Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.
• Early voting at Texas A&M International University will be Monday - Wednesday, Feb. 21 – 23, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center lobby (WHTC). This early voting opportunity is in advance of the March 3 Joint Primary Election.
• Mandatory randomized surveillance COVID-19 testing for all members of the University community: students, faculty, and staff is underway. Emails have been distributed to notify individuals of their selection for testing. Once selected, you have 72 hours to test on campus at no charge. There are consequences for non-compliance with this mandatory testing requirement. Please review your University email account regularly.
• On-campus testing and vaccination is part of our unified commitment to health and safety. Up-to-date information on testing, vaccination and boosters is here. For more about our COVID-19 Pandemic response, visit our dedicated COVID-19 Response Center.
• Let’s continue the use of recommended face coverings/masks, in addition to practicing distancing and rigorous hand-washing. The best defense continues to be vaccination and boosters, both offered free of charge here every Wednesday in the Student Center Rotunda.
• Enjoy Spirit Week and let’s all maintain our Dustdevil commitment to making this semester healthy, and successful for all.

Finally, since it’s a day of love, meet some of the couples who trace their love story right here to TAMIU. Scroll down to view our “lovely” photo gallery.

- Pablo Arenaz, Ph.D., President

TAMIU Continues Black History Month Celebration

TAMIU continues its observation of Black History Month with two events happening this week. Our Social Justice Leadership series presents Conscious Coffee Hour: "Voicing Afro-Latinx Histories & Identities" this Wednesday, Feb. 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Student Center 230.

TAMIU's Black History Month events also include:

• Wednesday, Feb. 23, 4:30-5:30 p.m. - STC 230 | Social Justice Leadership Series presents an in-person panel discussion, "Black Experiences at TAMIU."
• Thursday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. - Virtual event. Free and open to the public | The Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities Series will offer a virtual lecture with Dr. Gretchen Sullivan Sorin. Her lecture is titled, "Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights."
• Tuesday, March 22, 7 p.m. - Virtual event. Free and open to the public | The Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities Series will present a Virtual Lecture with Dr. Neal Lester on "Straight Talk about the Nword."

Celebrate Spirit Week at TAMIU!

We're ready for a very magical Spirit Week celebration! Spirit Week culminates with the yearly coronation of our TAMIU Royals, happening immediately after our Men's and Women's basketball games. Whether you've been sorted into House of Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Slytherin, we've got an event for you.

TAMIU CARES Application Deadline: Monday, Feb. 21

TAMIU CARES assistance has made a profound difference by enabling students to continue their degree progress through the intervention provided by emergency grant monies. The deadline to apply to TAMIU CARES is Monday, Feb. 21. Eligible undergraduate and graduate students can access an online application and additional program information by visiting www.tamiu.edu/cares.

The Culture of Love/La Cultura Del Amor Dance Performances Set for Feb. 25 - 26

The College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Fine and Performing Arts, in collaboration with Tim Rubel Human Shakes, invites individuals to enjoy an evening of story-driven dance performances focusing on love stores, as told through marginalized, Queer voices. Admission to the dance performances is free and open to the public.

Prior to the dance performances, a three-day Master Class Series by members of Tim Rubel Human Shakes is scheduled for Feb. 24 – 26 at the Fine and Performing Arts building, room 122. The classes are free and open to the public. Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information, contact Tim Rubel, assistant professor of Dance at 956.326.2625 or via email at timothy.rubel@tamiu.edu.

COVID-19 Boosters and Vaccinations Available Every Wednesday, On-Campus Testing Available

COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots are available every Wednesday through March 30, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Student Center Rotunda. This is a walk-up opportunity with no appointment required. Vaccinations and boosters are open to the University community, as well as the general public.

On-Campus Rapid Antigen Testing is currently available to students, faculty and staff members. | Curative Testing is also available to the University community and the general public. An appointment is required. To schedule your appointment, visit our Student Health Services site via the button link below.

Happy Valentine's Day, Dustdevils!

We're in ❤️ with your love stories, Dustdevils! Head over to TAMIU Alumni on Facebook and Instagram to view their latest series on Dustdevils who met and fell in love while attending our University.