Office of Student Access

Maria Martinez, Associate Vice President for Student Access
College Hall Room 150
361-593-2129

The purpose of the Office of Student Access is to promote the completion of high school, the pursuit of college enrollment and the acquisition of higher education degrees for first generation, disadvantaged youth and adults. The administrative Office of Student Access is located in College Hall. The following program officers are located in Eckhardt Hall.

The Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC Regular/Rural Programs)

The Educational Opportunity Center Program (EOC) provides counseling and information on college admissions to adults age 19 and over who want to enter college or continue a program of postsecondary education. Services include: college admissions preparation, financial aid assistance, economic literacy, career advising, and GED completion if needed. EOC provides services to low income first generation adults who reside in the following counties: Jim Wells, Duval, Brooks, Kleberg, and Nueces. EOC Rural serves participants in the following counties: Hidalgo and Willacy. 

Talent Search (TS)

The Talent Search Program (TS) provides academic and career services aimed toward high school completion. Services include assistance applying for admission into higher education institutions, financial literacy and financial aid planning. The Talent Search program is held at HM King, Robstown, San Diego and West Oso High Schools. 

Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEARUP)

The Texas A&M University-Kingsville GEARUP program (TKGU) provides program services designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Services also include assistance applying for admission into higher education institutions, financial literacy and financial aid planning. 

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program

The McNair Program prepares eligible undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Participants are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have demonstrated strong academic potential. Students receive research mentorship from dedicated faculty mentors, as well as strong academic potential. Student receive research mentorship from dedicated faculty mentors, as well as support services designed to support degree completion and admissions into graduate studies. Students are encouraged to enroll in graduate programs to complete doctoral level degrees. The goal of the program is to increase the number of Ph.D. degrees held by underrepresented populations. 

Student Support Services (SSS Regular and STEM Programs)

The Student Support Services (SSS) programs provide services designed to assist students with academic success and to encourage completion of their postsecondary education. SSS students are provided opportunities to develop 21st century skills that will enable them to become well rounded citizens. The programs provide grant aid to current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants. The goal of SSS is to increase college persistence and graduation rates. 

Upward Bound Program (UB Regular and Rural Programs)

The Upward Bound Program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. 

Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS Regular and Rural Programs)

The Upward Bound Math and Science Programs provides STEM opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound Math and Science serves high school students from low-income families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.

Javelina Halliburton STEM Labs

The Javelina Halliburton STEM Labs provide STEM engagement opportunities to enhance high level critical thinking and problem solving skills in the sciences, technology, engineering, math and geosciences fields to first-generation, low-income and underserved high school and undergraduate students. The labs include on lab with five VR stations and two coding/robotics lab. 

Annual Javelina Research Symposium

The Office Student Access hosts the annual Javelina Research Symposium in collaboration with Graduate Studies. Every year, Texas A&M University-Kingsville invites undergraduate and graduate students to submit proposals to present their original scholarly work at the Annual Javelina Research Symposium. Presentations include completed or on-going research projects. Awards are presented for Undergraduate, Masters, Doctoral level research. 

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) G-Force

The G Force Program provides mentorship and tutoring services to university and area high schools partnering with Student Access.