Sandra Alvarez wants to know exactly what she needs to do to prepare her first child for college, so she came to the family leadership institute kick off Tuesday evening in the UTPB courtyard to figure out how.

"This is my first child, so I'm learning," Sandra Alvarez said of her daughter Vivian Alvarez, a sophomore in high school. "I want to get a feeling for college."

Alvarez and her daughter hope to take advantage of a week-long summer program that will educate them on college preparedness, and offer a $500 scholarship toward college just for participating, Sandra Alvarez said.

The event moved outside to the UTPB courtyard due to an unexpected attendance of 200 families, thus 500 people eager people to get involved.

Director of continuing education Rey Lascano said they weren't even expecting 100 initially.

And this is the first year that UTPB will be involved in the family leadership institute, Lascano said.

Lascano said through the P-16 initiatives, UTPB hopes to build a stronger community. The goal is to increase college preparedness while creating a seamless transition from high school to college.

"Education begins at home with the parents," Lascano said.

Barbara Villaloboz, parental involvement specialist, said they are holding the 10 "learning modules" at UTPB's campus so students and parents get a feel for the college atmosphere while learning tools to prepare for college.

Lascano said the students will also be able to take advantage of UTPB's numerous resources.

"We are rich in resources," he said.

He said some parents don't know what resources are available to their children, and family leadership is there to give families they need to further their education.

"I do this for him so he knows how important it is," mother Jennifer Wade said about her ninth-grade son, Christopher Hall.

 >> Scheduling of the 10 lessons will be provided at a later date.

>> If a family missed the dinner, and still want to be involved, then call the Family Education Center at 333-1004.