Leadership
Dr. Miles received her B.A. from the University of Wales, Swansea, UK, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a Professor of English in the Department of Literatures and Cultural Studies at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). She has published numerous articles and book chapters on William Faulkner, the US and global South, and the US-Mexico border. She currently serves as the Director of Education Abroad within International Study Programs and has co-hosted the multidisciplinary Annual International Conference on Border Studies with Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. She is a recipient of the UT System’s Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award for teaching and has led several Study Abroad Programs to Florence and London. She is also part of a team of faculty from UTRGV, Texas State University, and George Washington University that received a three-year National Science Foundation Grant, “Geographies of Migration and (in)security at the US-Mexico Border,” to research the global movement of people across the US-Mexico border and the impact of US immigration policies.
Diana holds a B.Sc. degree in Finance and Accounting from Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico and a M.Ed. in Education Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She is committed to excellence in education, with a professional strong passion for international education and cultural exchange, providing comprehensive support to faculty and staff in order to empower students to achieve their full potential as global citizens.
Kelsey Hoon is a graduate of Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. She is currently enrolled in the Online Master of Science in Analytics through Georgia Tech. Kelsey has successfully navigated in between diverse industries, including logistics, law enforcement, and research and development. Her background with interdisciplinary teams and project management have been utilized to build the digital infrastructure of International Study Programs.
Adriana Ramirez was born in Florida but has called the Rio Grande Valley home for the past 26 years. She holds both a B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies and a M.A. in Disaster Studies from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Over her 10-year career at UTRGV, Adriana has taken on various roles, with her most recent position as an International Program Specialist within International Studies Program. Throughout her career, she has developed expertise in student support and academic coordination, ensuring the smooth operation of educational programs.
Family is central to Adriana's life, and she finds great fulfillment in caring for her loved ones. Balancing her professional and personal responsibilities, she is deeply committed to making a positive impact both in her career and at home. Grateful for the opportunities she has had and excited for the future, Adriana looks forward to the next chapter in her journey assisting students, faculty, and staff with optimism and resilience.