(Kingsville)—Texas A&M University-Kingsville and The Ohio State University were named National Role Model Institutions by Minority Access Inc., a national nonprofit educational organization.
Jamie Laurenz, associate vice president for academic affairs, and Liza Soliz, a two-time graduate of A&M-Kingsville, also were honored by the group at its annual meeting held in Las Vegas last month.
The National Role Model Institution award is presented annually to universities that demonstrate a campus-wide commitment to diversity. Texas A&M-Kingsville’s award was accepted by Kay Clayton, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Laurenz was recognized as a Faculty Role Model for his work as the former assistant dean of research in the College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences and associate professor and chair of the Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences. He served as faculty mentor to Soliz, who earned her bachelor of science degree in biology and her master’s degree in animal science at A&M-Kingsville. Soliz is working on her Ph.D. in animal science at Texas A&M University.
“These awards reaffirm what we’ve always known about Texas A&M University-Kingsville,” Clayton said. “Providing access to higher education in an ethnically and culturally diverse region of the nation is the foundation of our mission.
“We also are so pleased that Dr. Laurenz and his student were honored as well,” Clayton continued. “The research of Laurenz and Ms. Soliz centers around the immune system and stress physiology in animals, and it is gratifying that they have been recognized as national role models for their work.
“Recognition such as the Institutional Role Model Award and the
awards received by our faculty members and students for their research
are very important to achieving our vision of being a nationally recognized
public university.” 