The U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Advanced Radio Sciences and Engineering (NSF CARSE) joins the Center for University Access (CUA) at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez in celebrating the academic achievements of its participants during the CUA’s 2026 graduation ceremony.

This year, the CUA recognized 20 participants who reached important milestones in their educational journeys, including students transitioning from middle school to high school, high school graduates beginning their next academic chapter, and members of the CUA volunteer team who also completed their degrees. 

The CUA has served the Mayagüez community since 2007, providing mentoring, academic support, and educational resources to public school students while fostering college aspirations and supporting students throughout their transition into and persistence in higher education. Its mission closely aligns with NSF CARSE’s commitment to education, outreach, and workforce development. 

As one of the CUA’s principal collaborating organizations, NSF CARSE, led by Director Dr. Rafael A. Rodríguez Solís, supports initiatives designed to expand educational opportunities and expose young students to pathways in science, technology, engineering, and related fields. 

This year’s celebration also marked an important achievement for Paola Marie Rodríguez García, a CUA mentor who completed her master’s degree in Education in English. Her academic research examined the integration of CARSE within the CUA and the impact of this collaboration. Her work was presented in Washington, D.C., before the U.S. National Science Foundation in May 2025. 

Through the collaboration between NSF CARSE and the CUA, educational outreach extends beyond the classroom by helping students strengthen their academic preparation, explore future opportunities, and envision themselves pursuing higher education.

NSF CARSE congratulates the 20 CUA participants recognized this year, as well as their families, mentors, tutors, faculty, and the entire CUA community who have supported them throughout their educational journeys.

Their accomplishments represent not only individual milestones, but also the continued impact of creating pathways to education, opportunity, and future careers for the next generation.

 Watch the CUA 2026 graduation story:
Participantes del CUA cumplen sus metas académicas en su graduación