Andrea Valdez and Esteban Guereca Chosen for Engineering Internship at Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Uvalde, TX, April 2, 2024 - Southwest Texas Junior College (SWTJC) proudly announces that two of its outstanding students, Andrea Valdez and Esteban Guereca, have been selected to participate in the Integrated Pathways of Excellence for Seamless Transition of Engineering Minority Students (IP-STMS) internship program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) this summer, 2024.
The IP-STMS internship, at Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers a unique opportunity for minority students like Valdez and Guereca to engage in hands-on engineering experiences while networking with professionals in the field. The program aims to foster the next generation of diverse STEM leaders by providing immersive learning opportunities and mentorship.
Highlights of the HSI Summer Bridge program in TAMUK College of Engineering:
- Three-week summer engineering program, virtual and on-site options
- $555/week participant stipend for three weeks (stipend payment weekly AFTER each week’s attendance)
- Campus accommodation (dorm room) for on-site (in-person) program participants
- Lectures from TAMUK engineering faculty and outside professional engineers
- Virtual/In-Person research project under guidance of TAMUK faculty
- Research topics from different science/engineering/mathematics disciplines
Esteban Guereca, who is set to graduate from SWTJC this spring, plans to continue his educational journey at TAMUK, pursuing a degree in engineering. Meanwhile, Andrea Valdez will further her studies at SWTJC before transferring to the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to pursue her engineering aspirations.
Valdez and Guereca are members of the SWTJC STEM Club, which has the Advancing Latinos Minds and Attitudes in STEM (ALMAS) initiative which encourages students in STEM to pursue internships such as the IP-STMS internship.
ALMAS, established in 2019, has been instrumental in guiding students like Valdez and Guereca toward fulfilling careers in STEM. By facilitating internships and career exploration, ALMAS empowers students to seize opportunities that align with their academic and professional goals.
"We are thrilled to see Andrea and Esteban accepted into the IP-STMS internship program," said Olivia Rish, First Year Experience STEM Coordinator and Allied Health Success Coach at SWTJC. "Their dedication to academic excellence and passion for STEM make them ideal candidates for this prestigious opportunity. We are confident that they will excel and make meaningful contributions to the field of engineering."
SWTJC is proud to support initiatives like ALMAS and the IP-STMS internship program, which aim to increase diversity and representation in STEM fields.
For more information about ALMAS and other STEM initiatives at SWTJC, please visit swtjc.edu.