Student Organizations
Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO)
BESO serves as a networking system for currently enrolled students and is both community service oriented and supportive of the professional growth of members. Bilingual Education Student Organization was created in 1990 with a vision to help make a positive impact on surrounding communities and schools throughout the RGV. BESO advocates for bilingualism and biculturalism throughout our community.
BESO provides members the opportunity to share ideas, practices and information about bilingual education, develop support groups, learn about the latest research and network with others who have similar bilingual and bicultural goals. BESO often features guest speakers and community leaders, who are professionally affiliated with or knowledgeable about bilingual education in our community. BESO members are exposed to social, professional, and volunteer activity events that embrace student participation in various settings that fit all majors who are interested in the involvement of bilingualism. Overall, BESO attends leadership conferences and workshops.
Advisors
- Contact: Dra. Lileana Ríos-Ledezma (Edinburg Advisor),
Assistant Professor of Practice - Department: Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies
- Office: EEDUC 1.608
- Email: lileana.riosledezma@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 665-2447
- Contact: Ms. Sarahi Pacheco (Brownsville Advisor),
Assistant Professor of Practice - Department: Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies
- Office: BMAIN 2.120
- Email: sarahi.pacheco01@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 882-5712
Brownsville Counseling Student Association (BCSA)
The Brownsville Counseling Student Association (BCSA) provides a collegial home for Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling students. Regular social events, community projects, and special training seminars are scheduled by the student officers. New students to the BCSA are introduced to the Master of Education in Counseling Program along with the expectations, skills, and knowledge that will encompass their studies.
Advisors
- Contact: Dr. Suzanne Maniss
- Email: suzanne.maniss@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 665-3449
The Club Chess at UTRGV
Our Club Chess is a student organization and is open to all students enrolled at UTRGV. We work closely with the UTRGV Chess Team to promote chess in our community.
Advisors
- Contact: Dr. Nancy Razo
- Email: nancy.razo@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 665-3490
Edinburg Counseling Student Association (ECSA)
The purpose of the Edinburg Counseling Student Association is to provide opportunity for students to network by supporting, engaging, and creating a purpose. Students will get the opportunity dedicated to providing leadership, advocacy, education, promote growth, development, engagement, and opportunities in the counseling profession. Students provide orientation to new students to ECSA. The MEd program in Counseling will provide expectations, skills, and possess the knowledge that will be required to get involved in their education. Socializing will be part of the development overall as it will encourage growth, different perspectives, respect, and professionalism to be a competent counselor.
Advisors
- Contact: Dr. Clarissa Salinas
- Email: clarissa.salinas@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (817) 706-6389
Kappa Delta Pi- Omicron Eta (KDP-OE)
As an international honor society in education, KDP honors excellence among educators and teacher candidates who qualify for membership—and we’re ready to honor and celebrate YOU while providing support and professional development, every step of the way. THIS is why becoming a member of KDP will be a great experience for YOU.
KDP inspires and equips future and current educators to thrive. KDP is the champion for future and current educators from campus to classroom. We deliver guidance and solutions to the particular issues facing teachers across the United States, while maintaining a global perspective. Above all, we are a reliable and research-based source of best practices for the educational field as a whole.
Advisors
- Contact: Dr. Ming-Tsan Lu
- Email: mingtsan.lu@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 665-5311
Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC)
SCEC promotes professional standards of quality among students and improve the preparation of ALL PROFESSIONALS dealing with exceptional children and youth. We help promote programs designed to attract students into the profession of special education and to disseminate information which will inform the public of the educational needs of all exceptional children at the local, state and regional levels.
Advisors
- Contact: Ms. Julie Pecina
- Email: julia.pecina@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 665-7352
Student Organization for Unique Learners (SOUL)
We are an organization that is committed to promoting awareness to the campus and community regarding the exceptionalities of unique learners and their abilities. We are very involved in the community and in volunteering.
Advisors
- Contact: Dr. Hsuying Ward
- Email: hsuying.ward@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 882-5707
Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE)
The purpose of TAFE is to provide future educators with opportunities to learn about the teaching profession while promoting character, service, and leadership skills necessary to become an empowered educator. Our meetings are every first Tuesday of the month at 5 PM via Zoom. Requirements: 1) 2.75 GPA, 2) Pursuing a teacher certification degree plan, 3) Join Educators Rising, 4) Be committed to attend 75% of monthly meetings every semester, 5) TRAFLES point system every semester
Advisors
- Contact: Dr. Criselda Garcia
- Email: criselda.garcia@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 665-3448
United Together Caring Adults Reaching Early Childhood Students (UTCARES)
UTCARES (United Together Caring Adults Reaching Early Childhood Students) is a student organization that focuses on the needs of young children ages 0-8 in the community, their families, and their educators. UTCARES provides (1) educational experiences for all young children and their families through community involvement projects; (2) professional development opportunities for all members by participating in educational conferences, workshops and inviting professional speakers to our meetings; and (3) maintains collaborative relationships with the community by assisting various programs that provide for the needs of young children.
Advisors
- Contact: Dr. Irasema Gonzalez
- Email: irasema.gonzalez@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 665-7224
- Contact: Dr. Vejoya Viren
- Email: vejoya.viren@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 882-8886