Community mom and child looking at books.

Mobile Literacy Unit

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Contact Us

Dr. Irasema Gonzalez
Associate Professor/Mobile Literacy Unit Coordinator
Department of Human Development and School Services
EEDUC 2.606
mlu@utrgv.edu
(956) 665-3358
(956) 882-7678

The Mobile Literacy Unit (MLU) is a community outreach vehicle that travels across the Rio Grande Valley to provide low-income children with equitable literacy opportunities. Our overarching purpose is to promote literacy and reading achievement by bringing university resources into historically underserved areas. .

Leadership

The MLU is overseen by Dr. Irasema Salinas-Gonzalez (irasema.gonzalez@utrgv.edu) and Mrs. Maritza Fuentes (maritza.fuentes@utrgv.edu) from the Department of Human Development and School Services.

Benefits

The MLU supports and facilitates a diverse range of projects, including:

Service Learning

Organized story time sessions with preschoolers, which offer CEP students teaching opprtunities with young children.

Research

Implemented by UTRGV students from various academic disciplines.

Community Engagement

Facilitated through UTRGV faculty by organizing literacy events in underserved areas across the Rio Grande Valley.

Resources

The Mobile Literacy Unit has the following resources available for use during events:

  • 6 Tablets Apple iPads
  • Books to use/read in the unit
  • Build–a–Book Supplies
  • Cushions for children to sit and read
  • Flannel board stories
  • Personal PA Speaker system
  • Projector unit
  • Select Books for Giveaway at events
  • Story Puppets / Theater Stage

Become a Sponsor or Donor

The Mobile Literacy Unit is continuously seeking donors to further expand their crucial efforts in promoting literacy within the community. If you would like to be a sponsor or a permanent donor, please contact us by phone or email (below).

UTRGV Mobile Literacy Unit Team Contact Information
Name Department Email Phone
Dr. Irasema Gonzalez Human Development and School Services irasema.gonzalez@utrgv.edu (956) 665-7224
Mrs. Maritza Fuentes Human Development and School Services maritza.fuentes@utrgv.edu (956) 665-3358
Mr. Luis B. Leal Division of Institutional Advancement luis.b.leal@utrgv.edu (956) 665-3270

You can also complete the Become a Sponsor or Donor form to provide us with your contact information and your interest in the MLU program.

Polices and Procedures

The overarching goal and purpose of the Mobile Literacy Unit (MLU) is to promote literacy and reading achievement in the Rio Grande Valley by taking university resources into the local community for the benefit of both the university and the community. In the pursuit of this goal, the community will be engaged in literacy learning while university faculty and students will use the MLU as a service learning/practicum and research site. The MLU may be used by any UTRGV faculty member and external clients, based on appropriateness of project and MLU availability. It can be used for one-time opportunities, such as the CEP Open House, FESTIBA, HESTEC Community Day, and health fairs. However, we encourage the MLU to be used in sustained partnerships with local communities, and these types of activities will be prioritized in the scheduling of the MLU. The MLU has work and meeting space, along with storage for children’s books, literacy-related learning materials, and writing utensils and other supplies. It is stocked with basic literacy supplies and a range of children’s and young adult literature.

The following rules are in effect for the MLU:

  1. The MLU has a designated driver. No other person than the driver should drive the MLU. The driver will transport the MLU to and from the event and handle the electrical and tech issues.
  2. Users must have their own transportation to the event. No one can ride inside the MLU while it is in movement.
  3. The MLU is stocked with basic supplies, books and literacy materials. The user may make use of any of these materials. If an event requires items that are not part of the MLU materials, the user will provide these materials.
  4. The user is expected to leave the MLU neat and clean after each event.
  5. After each event, the user must complete a Mobile Literacy Unit Event Report and submit it to the MLU Coordinator within one week of the event.

At the end of each academic year the MLU Coordinator will submit a report to the CEP Dean’s Office. The report will provide data on the number of users, communities impacted, budget, and other MLU matters.

 

Scheduling

The MLU must be requested at least three weeks in advance of the desired date. The requestor must be a College of Education and P-16 Integration (CEP) faculty or staff member. The use of the MLU by CEP faculty and staff member is free of cost. In order to request the MLU, all information on the Mobile Literacy Unit Request Form must be completed.

Approval will depend on the MLU schedule, alignment of the project with college/university mission and goals, and driver availability.

The MLU must be requested at least three weeks in advance of the desired date. External requestors will require a payment of $300 per use of MLU. In order to request the MLU, all information on the Mobile Literacy Unit Request Form must be completed.

Approval will depend on the MLU schedule, alignment of the project with college/university mission and goals, and driver availability.

Sponsor

The Mobile Literacy Unit received a $20,000 donation from H.E.B. this year.

Support Mobile Literacy Unit

Your investment allows UTRGV to provide our students, faculty and staff with the support they need to reach their full potential. Your gift has a far-reaching impact – throughout South Texas and beyond.

Make a gift today!