Saturday, December 9, was a day of special significance for graduating senior, Juan Ramon Cordova; the Communication student was able to take part in the graduation ceremony for 36 students from literacy program, which he volunteers his time for.
“We, university students, have a social obligation to help our communities in any way that we can. I chose to help out with the literacy program at the Mexican Consulate,” says Cordova.
Cordova has been volunteering for the past year at the Mexican Consulate helping area residents learn how to read and write.
Out of the 10 students that Cordova has been working with, nine were able to graduate from the literacy program and receive a Mexican diploma.
Graduates from the literacy program are able to use their diplomas and certificates to meet requirements for enrollment in their next educational endeavors.
“The students worked very hard to graduate and I am very proud of them for their dedication and hard work,” Cordova says of his group of 10 students.
“My students at the program graduated Saturday and I will be graduating this coming Saturday, it is a very good feeling!”
“Helping out has been a very rewarding experience that I am very proud of,” explains Cordova, “by helping out with programs like this, we [university students] give something back to the community that has given so much to TAMIU!”
The literacy program is part of an ongoing literacy campaign headed by the Mexican Consulate. This is the third year that the program has been in place.