While being away from her family was initially stressful, education freshman Gloria Melina Monita says with the help of the College Assistant Migrant Program, she is building a sound educational background.
"Being a part of CAMP has been great because coming to MSU by myself, I don't think I would have known all the resources that MSU has," she said. "They give me the starting push I need to start my career.
"I don't think I could have done it by myself."
In an effort to increase the retention and enrollment of migrant and seasonal farmworker students, branches of the national CAMP and the High School Equivalency Program, or HEP, were implemented at MSU to provide the students with adequate resources and programs.
In its first year at MSU, the HEP program assists migrant students who have dropped out of high school receive their general education degree.
Students in the program attend an extensive educational program that runs in three sessions a year in classroom environments for at least eight hours a day.
"The migrant drop-out rate is very high, so the program gives migrants the opportunity to finish their high school GED," HEP director Marcelina Trevino-Savala said. "We have a career exploration program that exposes them to university life, vocational programs and military life.
"The program helps students move on toward their future."
The HEP program includes a 12-week residential program on campus for migrants who want to finish their General Education Degree.
Trevino said a recruiter attracts migrants to MSU, and students have classes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To ease the transition of migrant students into college, the CAMP program assists students with their studies at MSU.
"Studies have shown that if they are successful with freshman year, they will continue their studies at the university," CAMP director Luis Garcia said.
Due to the immense work schedule of their families, Garcia said many students may not be able to complete a college education and programs like CAMP assist them with their education.
"These are very competent students, but because of the working habits of their families, many times they are unable to complete school or get access to major institutions," he said.
"They usually leave early in the school year and miss recruiting and the timing of their work cycles has put restriction on them having access to things we take for granted."
The CAMP experience provides more than just resources but a family environment, according to nursing freshman Emma Monrroy.
"It has helped me with resources I need, especially with books and financial needs," she said. "I think the program is good for students like us who come from Texas and don't have people, because it's like a big family and we look out for each other."
