Schineatha Rodriguez had worked in the maritime industry for more than six years. She was responsible for loading the vessels that exported items around the world to distant places in Latin America and Europe.
“It was a dynamic experience,” she says. “I learned that there were so many roles and responsibilities in making a ship move to other parts of the world.”
But then the 53-year-old Houston resident was laid off from her job and decided she should return to college and earn the college degree that she started many years ago.
“I knew that I wanted to attend an HBCU because I believed it would support me better than any other environment,” says Rodriguez, who began researching possible majors that sparked her interest.
And then she came across an unusual announcement last spring.
Texas Southern University planned to launch a new Bachelor of Science degree in Maritime Transportation Management and Security — the first undergraduate degree program of its kind at a HBCU.
“I was so excited,” says Rodriguez, who received a full scholarship in the amount of $18,000 per year to participate in the program. “I loved the industry and was pleased to see this new program offered.”
