Meet the CEP student organizations making a difference across the Rio Grande Valley. These student organizations offer outreach programs that can connect you with locals and opportunities to do some good. By taking the time to explore and learn more about these groups, you will gain a better understanding of how you can make a positive impact in your community.
- Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) | VLink: BESOShape
- Brownsville Counseling Student Association (BCSA) | VLink: BCSAShape
- Edinburg Counseling Student Association (ECSA) | VLink: ECSAShape
- Graduate Association for Bilingual Education (GABE) | VLink: GABE
- Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education Omicron Eta Chapter at Brownsville (KDPS) | VLink: KDPS
- Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC)
- Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) | VLink: TAFE
- United Together Caring Adults Reaching Early Childhood Students (UTCARES) | VLink: UTCARES
Get Involved: Join a Student Organization Today
BESO serves as a networking system for currently enrolled students and is both community service oriented and supportive of members’ professional growth. BESO was created in 1990 with a vision to positively impact communities and schools across the RGV. BESO advocates for bilingualism and biculturalism throughout our community.
BESO empowers members 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. Aside from attending leadership conferences and workshops, BESO members also participate in social, professional, and volunteer activities that embrace the involvement of students across all majors who are interested in bilingualism.
Advisors
Dra. Lileana Ríos-Ledezma (Edinburg Advisor)
Assistant Professor of Practice
Department: Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies
Office: EEDUC 1.608
Email: riosledezma@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2447
Ms. Sarahi Pacheco (Brownsville Advisor)
Assistant Professor of Practice
Department: Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies
Office: BMAIN 2.120
Email: pacheco01@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 882-5712
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
Dr. Suzanne Maniss
Email: suzanne.maniss@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3449
The Chess Club is open to all students enrolled at UTRGV. We work closely with the UTRGV Chess Team to promote chess in our community.
Advisors
Dr. Nancy Razo
Email: nancy.razo@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3490
The ECSA is a vibrant and inclusive student organization for those interested in our Student Counseling programs. ECSA serves as a supportive community for students pursuing counseling and related fields, providing a platform for growth, networking, and professional development. By joining ECSA, students gain access to valuable resources, engaging events, and opportunities to connect with peers and established professionals in the field, fostering their journey toward becoming compassionate and competent counselors.
Advisors
Dr. Clarissa Salinas
Email: clarissa.salinas@utrgv.edu
Phone: (817) 706-6389
GABE is an organization that seeks to promote advocacy for bilingual students, expand the bilingual paradigms by connecting individual ideas and values, and provide an avenue for graduate students to expand their knowledge. GABE is open to any graduate student interested in bilingual education and seeking involvement in giving back to the community. Members do not need to be bilingual educators.
GABE was first established in 2011 by Dr. Joy Esquierdo and reactivated in 2015. Our meetings are online using Blackboard Collaborate/Zoom because we understand the busy schedules graduate students have and value their time.
Advisors
Contact: Dr. Joy Esquierdo
Email: joy.esquierdo@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3605
Dr. Veronica Estrada
Email: joy.esquierdo@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2431
Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education (KDPS) — Omicron Eta Chapter at Brownsville | Lambda Psi Chapter at Edinburg
KDPS promotes excellence and recognizes outstanding contributions to education.
Advisors
Dr. Ming-Tsan Lu
Email: mingtsan.lu@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 882-7674
Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) is a student organization that advocates for children with special needs. As a club we promote awareness and inclusion by participating in events dedicated to these children, such as Special Olympics, Adopt-a-Class, and Adopt-a-School.
We have regular club meetings, fundraisers, and attend a state professional educators’ conference in the summer. Members of SCEC are also eligible to apply for nine scholarships awarded to Outstanding Members, Outstanding New Members, and Outstanding Officers.
Membership
To become a member of SCEC, attend a general meeting and pay annual dues of $15, which includes a t-shirt. You can join at any time (don't have to be in the program).
Projects
SCEC visited PSJA Clover Elementary for a Picnic Play Day with the children. Learn more about the Picnic Play Day.
Sandra Quintanilla, Channel 5 News Reporter interviews SCEC student organization, who helped at a Rio Grande Valley Special Olympics community event.
On February 14th, the Health and Kinesiology Club and co-sponsored by the Student Council Exceptional Children hosted the 12th Annual Valentine's Day/ Friendship Dance for the special needs population free to the public. The attendees were surprised to dance to the music of Grupo Control, Tierra Nortena, and DJ Shrek.
Health and Kinesiology Club, along with the Student Council for Exceptional Children, host the annual Valentine's Day/ Friendship Dance on March 2013.
Awards
Charlotte Lewis Award- given to the student chapter with most representation at Texas Council for Exceptional Children (TCEC) state conference. 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005
Outstanding Volunteer Award- local by RGV Special Olympics- 2003
Outstanding Service from a Civic or Service Organization- (state) Texas Special Olympics 2006
Outstanding Service- local award from Miracle Kids of South Texas (Miracle League)
Contact Us
You can reach us through our social media outlets Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook: @SCEC-UTRGV
Twitter: @SCECUTRGV
Contact Mrs. Julia Pecina (julia.pecina@utrgv.edu) for more information about SCEC.
Advisors
Ms. Julie Pecina
Email: julia.pecina@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7352
Past SCEC officers
2013-2014: President: Dianna Gonzales, Vice-President: Gina A. Briones, Treasurer: Michell Avila, Historian: Brenda Huerta, Representative: Sarahi Ruiz
2012-2013: President: Jaime Lopez, Vice-President: Susie Serna, Secretary: Kory Baker, Treasurer: Rosa Rendon, Historian: Alyssa Aguilar, Representative: Valerie Perez
2011-2012: President: Dolores Hernandez, Vice-President: Susie Serna, Secretary: Monica Aguilar, Treasurer: Veronica Trevino, Historian: Vianka Elliot, Representative: Valerie Perez
2010-2011: President: Amador Cantu, Vice-President: Gloria Martinez, Secretary: Jennifer Garcia, Treasurer: Brian Hunt, Historian: Vianka Elliott, Representatives: Selene Ramirez, Tanya Sierra
TAFE aims 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. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 5 PM via Zoom.
Requirements:
- Minimum 2.75 GPA,
- Pursuing a teacher certification degree plan,
- Join Educators Rising,
- Be committed to attend 75% of monthly meetings every semester,
- TRAFLES* point system every semester.
*TRAFLES (Teaching/Training, Recreation, Appreciation, Fundraising , Leadership, Educational Awareness, Service) is the framework TAFE uses to ensure every Chapter has a well-rounded, successful program for future educators.
Advisors
Dr. Criselda Garcia
Email: criselda.garcia@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3448
UTCARES is dedicated to addressing the needs of young children aged 0-8, their families, and educators within the community. UTCARES fulfills its mission by:
- Providing educational experiences for young children and their families by engaging in community involvement projects.
- Offering professional development opportunities for its members through participation in educational conferences, workshops, and guest speaker events.
- Maintaining collaborative relationships with the community by assisting programs that cater to the needs of young children.
Advisors
Dr. Irasema Gonzalez
Email: irasema.gonzalez@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-7224
Dr.Vejoya Viren
Email: vejoya.viren@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 882-8886