Chapter 5: Academic Counseling on the Border: Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) partnered with the Consulate General of Mexico in Laredo to address the Development Goals 4 and 17 of United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on working collaboratively for inclusive, equitable, quality education for all. The goal of the Consulate General of Mexico in Laredo was to help its citizens to navigate Mexican educational systems via the Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa [Educational Window]. The goal of the TAMIU School Counseling Program was to provide professional school counseling candidate (PSCC) interns an opportunity to practice counseling skills, perform outreach, practice advocacy, and become global citizen counselors. PSCC interns used the hours of service to meet class requirements.

PSCC interns presented educational materials provided by the Consulate at various locations in the community, answered questions about educational services on the border, and collected basic anonymous demographic information on 1,055 persons. The majority served were Mexican citizens living in Mexico, followed by Mexican citizens living in the United States, and then U.S. citizens living in the United States or Mexico. Most served were female and between the ages of 27 and 45.

PSCC interns felt they were addressing a significant need within the community by empowering citizens to succeed with their educational goals in non-threatening environments. The partnership benefited interns by providing experience gaining cultural sensitivity to immigration issues and by practicing counseling skills. Interns recommended the Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa events be expanded to other diverse locations and that more be done to increase their visibility through social media.