During challenging times, the Center for Student Success is committed to helping students succeed in all facets of their life. Last year, the CFSS launched The Student and Community Resources Repository and is partnered with Student Access. The repository is designed and equipped to help students who are in need of resources and information. Students seeking information should visit https://www.tamuk.edu/studentsuccess/repository/index.html
“The Student and Community Resources Repository is a centralized online searchable database. Our intent was to create a resource website for our students, local communities and the South Texas region,” Interim Associate Vice President for Student Access Maria Martinez said. “The search-driven database allows users to search for services available from local, state and national sources. Service categories include food, technology, health, financial, technology and housing.”
The Student and Community Resources Repository website is formatted to help students find local resources throughout South Texas. To ease the process and helps students, the CFSS works alongside two Social Work practicum students to provide social service referrals. However, due to COVID-19, practicum students are working off site and helping students through email: TAMUK.SocialWorkHelp@tamuk.edu, with arranged phone calls and through Blackboard Collaborate.
The Student and Community Resources Repository is dedicated to expand their sources to better help students. Since the pandemic hit, Martinez and Interim Associate Vice President for Student Success Dr. Shannon Baker have worked with students to develop a way to be able to make more resources accessible to Javelinas.
“My role as a social work student in the repository is to keep it updated and keep trying to expand it to different regions in order for our Javelinas to be able to acquire help anywhere they are at and not just the city of Kingsville. This can include regional, state and nationwide resources,” Prisila Peña-Nieto, social work student, said.
The repository is available to students 24/7, but if a student needs additional help through the process of applying to some of the services, they can contact The Student and Community Resources Repository for further assistance.
“We in Student Success realize that students sometimes have difficulty staying focused on their studies because of financial and personal challenges, and students don’t have good information about resources available to help them,” Baker said. “That is where our Social Work referral services come in to help. Please note that health and mental health issues are referred to Student Health and Wellness. We encourage students to reach out to us for help. That’s why we are here.”