Staff Report
Eliseo "Cheo" Torres thinks UNM would be a better place if more Mexican students chose to study here.
Not only would they promote a more diverse student body, he said he thinks they would bring with them different points of view that could possibly add to a more well-rounded education for everyone at UNM.
The vice president of Student Affairs recently returned from speaking at the first International Conference on Innovative Educational Programs in Monterrey, Mexico, where he toted the benefits UNM has for potential students.
The trip was part of two programs Torres is spearheading to attract qualified Mexican and Latin American students to UNM.
Both programs target high school students.
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Torres said by focusing on that age group, he hopes they will be more open to education and be able to learn more easily how to prepare for the cultural and academic environment they will find on UNM's campus.
"It is sometimes difficult for older students to come on campus," he said. "They experience a sort of culture shock."
Torres would like to attract between 100 and 200 students to campus in July.
The other program, scheduled to begin in spring 2005, will be geared toward international students who want the chance to pursue a college degree in the United States.
Torres said he is hoping to attract more than 20 students for a specialized program consisting of regular class work and courses designed to help integrate them with American culture.
The only qualification, he said, is that the students be interested in coming to the United States and that they're fluent in English.
During his recent trip to Mexico, Torres visited three high school campuses to stimulate interest in the programs.
