Student Organizations

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

Ms. Sarahi Pacheco (Brownsville Advisor)

Assistant Professor of Practice

Department: Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies

Office: BMAIN 2.120

Email: pacheco01@utrgv.edu

BESO

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 

Chess Club

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 

ECSA

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 

KDPS — Brownsville 

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: 

1. Minimum 2.75 GPA, 

1. Pursuing a teacher certification degree plan,  

1. Join Educators Rising,  

1. Be committed to attend 75% of monthly meetings every semester,  

1. 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. 

TAFE 

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: 

1. Providing educational experiences for young children and their families by engaging in community involvement projects. 
    

1. Offering professional development opportunities for its members through participation in educational conferences, workshops, and guest speaker events. 
    

1. 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 

UTCARES 

Phone: (956) 882-8886