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: Dr. Joy Esquierdo
- Email: joy.esquierdo@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 665-3605
- Contact: Dr. Michael Whitacre
- Email: michael.whitacre@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 665-8767
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)
Graduate Association for Bilingual Education (GABE)
Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education Lambda Psi Chapter at Edinburg (KDPS)
Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education Omicron Eta Chapter at Brownsville (KDPS)
KDP shall be to promote excellence in and recognition of outstanding contributions to education.
Advisors
- Contact: Dr. Ming-Tsan Lu
- Email: mingtsan.lu@utrgv.edu
- Phone: (956) 882-7674
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