Sul Ross State University (SRSU) in Alpine, Texas, has been awarded nearly $7.5 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education to develop new degree programs and enhance existing ones. The grant, part of the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) program, will distribute about $1.5 million annually over the next five years to the university.
The PPOHA program is designed to improve postbaccalaureate educational opportunities and completion rates among Hispanic and low-income students by expanding academic offerings and enhancing program quality.
With this funding, SRSU plans to introduce several new academic initiatives, including a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences, a Master of Science in Water Science, and graduate certificates in Dual Credit Teaching and Professional Spanish. These programs aim to meet the growing demand for specialized knowledge and skills in these fields.
Additionally, the grant will support the creation of a new Master of Arts in Anthropology and enhance facilities, technology, and hands-on learning experiences for students. This initiative, dubbed “Water in the Desert: Cooperation and Purpose-built Programs in Far West Texas,” includes a collaborative effort with Texas Tech University and Texas A&M-Kingsville to develop market-driven graduate programs.
The funding will also provide for the addition of 11 new faculty positions, a project director, and support staff to bolster these ambitious academic endeavors.
SRSU President Carlos Hernandez expressed gratitude for the support from Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), highlighting the impact of federal assistance on the university’s academic programming. “We are grateful to Senator Cornyn for his continued support of academic programming at Sul Ross State University,” Hernandez said. “Federal grant funding continues to reinforce our efforts, and we are pleased with the assistance of our elected representatives.”
This significant financial boost is expected to greatly enhance the educational landscape at SRSU, particularly benefiting the university’s commitment to serving Hispanic and low-income students in West Texas.
