Brownsville Scholars Program

Supporting First-Generation Students to Strengthen a Community

In 2013, Brownsville, Texas, was named the “Poorest City in America.” Based on data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, we know that only one in five Texas 8th graders will graduate from college (certificate or degree) within six years of their high school graduation date. If students enter 8th grade classified as “economically disadvantaged,” their chances of a college education decrease to one in ten.

How You Can Help

Create a Brownsville Scholar Internship in Cameron County. Contact Stephen Cisneros about creating an internship position at your company or organization for these scholars to gain real-world experience in their chosen field.
Make a gift to ensure the future of this program. There is enough funding to support the first four classes of Brownsville Scholars through 2020, but in order to serve more deserving students, each program component will need endowed gifts. The total endowment goal of $7 million will fund the program in perpetuity. Contact Stephen Cisneros about making a gift to the Brownsville Scholars Program.

Funding Opportunities for Program Components

Internships - $25,000 Endowment

To encourage connections and improve their chances of returning to South Texas upon graduation, program participants will receive a one-time $1,000 award upon completion of an internship in Cameron County.

Fish Camp Sponsorships - $25,000 Endowment

Program participants will attend Fish Camp prior to beginning classes at Texas A&M at no cost.

Academic Enrichment - $100,000 Endowment

Each program participant will receive up to $4,000 in stipends to particpate in academic enrichment experiences such as out-of-town workshops and conferences, mission work or study abroad programs.

Scholarships - $125,000 Endowment

An endowed scholarship will provide each first-generation/low-income student with an average of $4,500 per year to help fill the gap after federal and state aid.

Living-Learning Community - $500,000 Endowment

Each program participant will be a part of a living-learning community on campus in one of the university’s residence halls to receive support through small group mentorship, leadership development activities and visits from relevant speakers.

Brownsville Benefactor
Mike Hernandez III ’83, a former Brownsville resident, and his wife Kelly established the Brownsville Scholars Program in 2016 to help low-income Brownsville students achieve their goals of a higher education at Texas A&M University through a cash gift of just over $1 million.