Unsung Heroes:
Get to know some of the people who help make UTRGV run
EDITOR’S NOTE: President Abraham Lincoln said, “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.”
That certainly describes so many of the people who work at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. They work each day behind the scenes, away from spotlights and accolades, but still knowing they have a job to do that supports the university community and makes it run smoothly.
In 2016, UTRGV had 27,560 students and 1,372 faculty members. The campus covers 633 acres of land, with 10 colleges and a School of Medicine, all located in four different counties.
In order for such a vast institution to work efficiently, a large number of people must contribute, and some of them go unnoticed.
Our Unsung Heroes series highlights just a few of the people who often go overlooked, despite their importance and contributions.
MEET OMAR ‘TEDDY’ MASCORRO, A UTRGV UNSUNG HERO
Text by Steven Masso, student staff writer
Photos by Veronica Gaona, student staff photographer: https://www.flickr.com/gp/utrgvnews/353AsC
Omar “Teddy” Mascorro slides open the glass door to his personal office space.
Stacks of neatly organized paperwork take up much of the room on his desk. It’s early, but his inbox is already full of new emails with assignments for the day.
It’s a challenge, but he doesn’t let it affect his upbeat attitude. He’s efficient and in his element.
What is your role here at UTRGV?
Administrative assistant with the UTRGV Academic Advising Center.
How long have you worked here?
Three and a half years.
Describe your average day
I get here at 8 a.m. I go over my lists of tasks, from anything deemed urgent to non-urgent. I prioritize my things for the day and start knocking down things one by one. There are three main parts – recruiting coordination, training coordination and general administrative work. I schedule interviews, review resumes, coordinate a five-week training and analyze the survey data here. It usually ends about 5 p.m. I’m good at pacing myself and getting things done on time. When I am not working, I just find ways to relax. I go fishing, longboarding, or play Xbox.
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part is the recruiting coordination. That is something I really want to get into more. I like looking at people’s experience, education and what they bring to an organization. I get to see many people come into the advising center. I enjoy being the one to let them know they have an interview. I like to make them feel welcome when they first come in and get situated.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you
I’m a musician. I make alternative, indie-style music. I sing, play guitar, program all the synths and drum beats – I do everything myself.
Do you have a favorite memory, or a story, from your time here?
UTB-TSC and UTPA had just merged to create UTRGV. We planned a daylong meeting to get to know one another and to train the entire staff on the UTB-TSC programs of study. A couple of weeks prior to the meeting, I placed an order for about 70 binders, as we were going to give each staff member a training binder to help supplement the material. Something ended up happening to that order of binders and we didn’t receive them until the day before the meeting! The entire Academic Advising Center team in Brownsville stayed until almost midnight and worked together to get all 70 binders printed, organized, and ready for the meeting the next day. It was amazing to work with a group of such determined people. Working through something like that definitely strengthened the bond I have with my team and truly demonstrated the power of teamwork.
Do you feel a special bond with the UTRGV community?
I’ve been with the university almost eight years, four as an undergrad and three and a half as an employee. A large portion of my life has been centered on this campus. Being a part of it, and now giving back, is a rewarding feeling.
