The Provost Post

As we look into the rearview mirror at what was the spring 2025 semester, what a busy and successful semester it has been!  We recently celebrated a remarkable 3,200 graduates at our Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies. It was a pleasure to see our faculty, proudly swathed in their regalia, processing into the arena and celebrating with our graduates and their families. I want to personally thank all of you who were able to attend and take part in this special occasion. In addition to commencement, we also conducted the first independent graduation of our UTRGV Mathematics and Science Academy class, which took place in Harlingen. These celebrations, along with the recent doctoral hooding ceremony, recognize another amazing cohort of students who will reshape the future of Texas and their specific disciplines.

Each of these ceremonies touches me personally as I reflect on the magnificent resilience and dedication that define UTRGV. I recall the powerful example set by UTRGV faculty, staff, and students during the heavy rain and flooding that affected the Rio Grande Valley in late March. The UTRGV community is truly special, and the level of support that permeates the campus is commendable.

But it isn’t only our wonderful graduates who are excelling. I want to take a moment to recognize all the wonderful things each one of you does to make UTRGV the best university in Texas. We have started 2025 on a high note with so many noteworthy accomplishments, awards, and recognitions. The UTRGV chess team claimed a share of our fourth national championship. Additionally, UTRGV Ballet Folklorico was awarded the “Best Student Performance" at the American College Dance Association National College Dance Festival for their performance of “La Vera-Cruz.” Congratulations to them and their choreographer, Miguel Peña, Assistant Professor of Dance (College of Fine Arts). As a result of their selection, Ballet Folklorico has been invited to perform again later this summer at Jacob’s Pillow in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

Lastly, I also want to personally congratulate the UTRGV Baseball team for its fantastic regular season, which culminated in our first Southland Conference title!

The start of our summer session is here! It's time again to buckle up and get ready for a new adventure!  As always, thank you for all that you do.

Dr. Luis H. Zayas

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Faculty

• Rivera Sandoval Awarded Cottrell Scholar Recognition
• Camprubi-Casas Appointed to NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium

Staff

• Sixty-Five Academic Affairs Staff Honored at UTRGV Staff Service Awards

Students

• UTRGV Chess Team Claims Fourth National Chess Championship
• UTRGV Baseball Clinches First Southland Conference title
• UTRGV and City of Brownsville Sign MOU
• UTRGV Football Scheduled to Kick-Off in Fall 2025

Academic Affairs News

• UTRGV and Georgia Tech Launch $2.M AI Research Partnership
• UTRGV Announces Founding of Division of Health Affairs