Humans of UTRGV

03/11/2025

Hey Vaqueros! Want to join an organization that is based on volunteering and helping the community? Wait no further! UTRGV has a new organization called RGV Community impact club!

As Vaqueros, we encourage active participation in helping one another and this organization is something that share's that message. Want to learn more, scan the QR codes and get connected!! ✌

12/31/2024

12/15/2024

11/08/2024

09/10/2024

09/06/2024

We are so happy for Neida! 😃🥳

Congratulations to staff member Neida Gutierrez, who has accepted a new role in the Department of Occupational Therapy! 🎉

We wish you the best in this new chapter! Thank you for everything you have done for us, Neida—you are missed! 💫

05/30/2024

Hi everyone, my name is Sydney Montana Hernandez, and I am studying my master's in Public Affairs! I am3-X EMMY Nominated and Associated Press Award Winning Evening News Anchor for CBS 4 News in the Rio Grande Valley. I am also the CEO and President of The Sydney Hernandez Foundation where I mentor young journalists aspiring to work in the media industry.

After I graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a double bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication, I knew I wanted to pursue higher education in the place I call home. UTRGV has a vibrant campus culture, and strong alumni network, and is in my backyard, all of which align perfectly with my academic and career goals. I was also quickly offered an assistantship program to help me financially complete my master's degree and I get to work with Graduate College as a Student Recruiter. Together that solidified the decision for me.

As an accelerated online program student, it hasn't always been easy. Working as a news anchor full-time, having my assistantship and going to school full time, while keeping my personal life in line has been challenging. However, I'm grateful for the support from my grad college team, my friends and my family that have always reminded me that I can do hard things and if it was easy, everyone would do it. Through the ups and downs, I wouldn't change a thing about my higher education experience.

I want to give a special shoutout to my teammates at Grad College. Ana, Amberly, Sam, Stephanie, Alyssa, Juan and everyone at Grad College have made this step of my life so amazing and I'm proud to work alongside some incredible Vaqueros. Also, I want to thank Dr. William Strong has been so supportive of my decision to join the study abroad program and always made sure I had everything I needed to make that happen.

05/12/2024

No words to express how happy we are for you today! Congratulations to everyone who attended the commencement. 🥳✌️

05/10/2024

Congratulations to our graduates in Brownsville! Were so proud of you!!✌️🙌👏

05/09/2024

Hi! My name is Ruayda Bouls, I am a 4th-year medical student at UTRGV School of Medicine. I was born and raised here in the RGV in Harlingen, TX.

I was blessed to have my first medical experiences right here in my local community back in high school—experiences that started my interest in medicine and eventually led me to pursue a medical career. Returning to the RGV for medical school to start my medical career right here has been an incredible blessing. I will be attending UT Health San Antonio for residency in their Internal Medicine Program and hope to one day return to RGV to practice medicine.

I attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas for undergrad and learned a great deal during my time there. When applying to medical school as a college senior, UTRGV SOM was at the top of my program list due to their proximity to home, wonderful scholarship opportunities for valley natives, and unique patient population. I was grateful to be accepted and have since had a wonderful experience here at UTRGV SOM.

From the mentorship to research and clinical opportunities I couldn’t have asked for a greater better medical school experience. Not only have I been blessed with great mentors, but have been able to work with them on research projects that have then given me the opportunity to present at conferences such as the American Society of Hematology conference in San Diego, California in 2023. Working as an AHEC scholar through the university was also a great experience in getting involved with my local community and better understanding many of the health care barriers they face.

Medical school as a whole has been a challenge, one that I could never do on my own. From my mentors, professors, and parents, everyone has helped support me to get to this point. While challenging, the journey has been well worth it, and I am excited to start the next challenge of residency to become the best physician I can be.

Overall, my time here has kicked off my medical journey and I feel prepared for the next challenge ahead of residency. I want to thank my wonderful parents. They have always been my number one supporters and number one fans!

04/29/2024

Hi, is nice to meet y’all! My name is Ximena Y. Torres, and this semester is the end of my UTRGV journey. I am considered a first-generation student on both sides of my family. Aside from my major in criminal justice with a minor in psychology, I've been part of three student organizations including CAB, ACJA, and ECS. Have you ever come across the phrase "college life"? That means that if you are involved in any organizations, you'll be able to strengthen your outer shell.

Choosing UTRGV wasn't easy. I wanted to go to a university 3 hours away from here, but it was going to be expensive. At the end of the day, my father was able to provide me some helpful information about UTRGV's options. I changed my mind after hearing this, because it opens up a lot of opportunities for UTRGV's students.

The experience at UTRGV was a little unfortunate, because I started during the pandemic and it was not fun, but it was a new experience for me to experience something new, such as online classes. At the beginning of Fall 2020, I was in the pre-nursing major where my future career was going to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. This vision started in my senior year of high school, which I thought it would be amazing if I could achieve it. Well, that's what I thought the moment the stress kept coming more and more. In the following year (2021), I decided to change my major to criminal justice because this field offers many opportunities where I can explore and see what career fits me.

My most memorable moments at UTRGV were attending campus events and volunteering. As a member, I actively contribute to events and promote them to fellow students. By getting involved, not only do I get to have fun and meet new people, but I was able to develop new skills. In fact, there were two unexpected opportunities at UTRGV: one, I came across a different organization that accepted all majors, but you had to like science, so I tried it. I was surprised to discover that science is interconnected with my major and is present in many areas, which I found really fascinating. Additionally, I came across another organization related to criminal justice and decided to join it. Little did I know that this decision would lead to unexpected possibilities.

My parents were my biggest support system while I pursued my degree at UTRGV. They've been with me since the beginning of my semester and right to the end. They always told me to leave the computer and take a break whenever I felt so frustrated. I do want to thank one professor which is Dr. Deleon. She said that no matter where you come from, you can succeed in life. if it weren't for her words, I wouldn't be taking my goals seriously.✌