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International Student Services Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs

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Contact Us

International Student Services
Brownsville Campus: BMAIN Bldg. 1.308
Edinburg Campus EMASS Bldg. 1.102
Email: international@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 882-7092 or (956) 665-2922
Fax: (956) 665-2281
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ISS Team

Leadership

Samantha Lopez, Ed.D., PDSO, RO

Director
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-7479
Email: samantha.lopez@utrgv.edu
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Samantha Lopez, Ed.D., PDSO, RO

Born in Brownsville and raised in Mexico, Dr. Samantha López brings more than 18 years of experience in international education to her position as Director of International Admissions and Student Services. Dr. Lopez previously served as Manager of International Student & Scholar Services with the Office of Global Engagement at The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College. Samantha is well-versed in federal and state regulations related to immigration, employment, and educational opportunities for students and scholars.

Among her many accomplishments, Samantha has been an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators (the leading professional organization in the field of international education) for more than 9 years. Samantha is a recipient of the “Outstanding Service Award to International Education” for her work in demonstrating the outstanding performance of a sustained and serious nature of national impact based on her success in winning a Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeal (BALCA) case with the U.S. Department of Labor in 2011.

Her professional interests include international education, immigration regulations, and research about student services at higher education institutions. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two sons Carlos and Alejandro, reading, serving the community, and exercising. Dr. Lopez received both a bachelor's and Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College. Furthermore, Dr. Lopez has presented at conferences and is the recipient of numerous scholarships. Samantha received a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Higher Education Teaching at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2021 with her dissertation topic: Academic and Cultural Perspectives of International Students at a Hispanic Serving Institution.

 

Director
International Student Services
Email: samantha.lopez@utrgv.edu
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-7479

Nora Cruz Dole, MS, DSO, ARO

Associate Director
EMASS 1.102
Phone: 956-665-7480
Email: nora.cruzdole@utrgv.edu
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Nora Cruz Dole, MS, DSO, ARO

Associate Director
International Student Services
Email: nora.cruzdole@utrgv.edu
EMASS 1.102
Phone: 956-665-7480

F-1 Student Visa Advisement

Jessica Alvarado, MS, DSO

International Student Advisor
EMASS 1.102
Phone: 956-665-2922
Email: jessica.alvarado01@utrgv.edu
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Jessica Alvarado, MS, DSO

Jessica Alvarado is an International Student Advisor on the Edinburg Campus. She has over 3 years of experience with the office of strategic enrollment with both The University of Texas- Pan American and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Jessica received her Bachelors of Rehabilitation Services with a concentration in Addiction Studies from UTRGV in December of 2015. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Library Studies from Texas Woman’s University.

Her professional interest is to help grow the mission of the University by serving the students who are planning to, or currently attend. UTRGV. Her hobbies are reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family.

International Student Advisor
International Students Services
Email: jessica.alvarado01@utrgv.edu
EMASS 1.102
Phone: 956-665-2922

Nellie Leyva, DSO

International Student Advisor
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-7983
Email: nellie.leyva@utrgv.edu
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Nellie Leyva, DSO

Nellie Leyva, is an International Student Advisor in the Brownsville campus. She has over ten years of progressive experience in the undergraduate college admission and enrollment process through employment with UTB/TSC, and now The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Nellie received her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Science with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and Educational Technology in May 2016. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Early Childhood at UTRGV.

Her hobbies include spending time with her family, such as baking Pinterest recipes with her 8 year old daughter and going on dates with her husband. She is known for traveling every other weekend to Monterrey, Mexico or to Houston, Texas to visit her extended family. She also has a passion for motivational books and quotes and has a huge collection to inspire any occasion.

International Student Advisor
International Student Services
Email: nellie.leyva@utrgv.edu
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-7983

International Admissions

Jessica Cantu, DSO

International Admissions Specialist (Graduate)
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-8298
Email: jessica.cantu@utrgv.edu
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Jessica Cantu, DSO

Ms. Jessica Cantu is the International Admissions Specialist at the International Student Services (ISS) Department, serving as the primary point of contact for newly admitted graduate students at the UTRGV Graduate College. With a strong commitment to supporting international students, she assists with:

 

  • Student visa status inquiries
  • I-20 processing
  • Changes of status
  • Financial requirements
  • International Student Orientation

 

Jessica earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and was born and raised in Rio Grande Valley. Her career in higher education began in the Counseling and Career Services Office, followed by a transition to the Admissions Office at The University of Texas at Brownsville. In 2010, she joined the Office of Global Engagement as an International Admissions Specialist, where she has since dedicated over eight years to assisting prospective international students.

Bringing a wealth of experience and expertise, Jessica has personally guided students from 67+ countries in their pursuit of higher education. Passionate about cultural exchange, she enjoys interacting with international students and learning about their traditions.

 

In her free time, Jessica loves cooking, reading, and watching movies.

 

Contact Information:
📧 Email: jessica.cantu@utrgv.edu
📞 Phone: (956) 882-8298

 

International Admissions Specialist (Graduate)
International Students Services
Email: jessica.cantu@utrgv.edu
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-8298

Patricia Celeste Martinez, DSO

International Admissions Specialist (Undergraduate)
ESTAC 3.128
Phone: (956) 882-7092
Email: patricia.martinez08@utrgv.edu
Phone Alt: 956-665-2922
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Patricia Celeste Martinez, DSO

Patricia Celeste Martinez prefers to be called Celeste; her first language is Spanish. She studied a large part of her life in Mexico until she moved to Rivera High School in 9th grade and then, in 12th grade, graduated from Jubilee Brownsville.

She is a Junior at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, majoring in Health and minoring in Spanish for Healthcare and Medical Humanities. She is concurrently enrolled at Texas Southmost College, as well,  under the PCT Program, wishing to graduate with the different certifications and licenses: EKG, Phlebotomist, Certificated Nursing Assistant, and Patient Care Technician. Some of her goals are to become a Nurse Anesthetist and to travel around the world. Celeste works as a Student Office Assistant for the International Admissions and Student Services office at the UTRGV Brownsville campus.

She deeply believes that "The only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work." - Tiana

International Admissions Specialist (Undergraduate)
International Student Services
Email: patricia.martinez08@utrgv.edu
ESTAC 3.128
Phone: (956) 882-7092
Phone Alt: 956-665-2922

J-1 Student and Exchange Visa / NSE Advisor

Paloma Quintero, DSO, ARO

International Student Advisor
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-3655
Email: paloma.quintero01@utrgv.edu
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Paloma Quintero, DSO, ARO

International Student Advisor on the Edinburg Campus. She has over 6 years of experience in the international affairs field including four years working at a foreign consulate and two years working at an FBO within local government.

Bachelor’s degree of Business Administration with a concentration in Management from UTRGV in December of 2016. Master’s in Public Affairs from UTRGV in December 2022, as well.

Her professional interest is to help international students with the initial process and throughout their academic experience, and to learn more about their culture. She enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, and cooking.

International Student Advisor
International Students Services
Email: paloma.quintero01@utrgv.edu
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-3655

Office Student Assistants

Gael Sanchez

Graphic Design Intern - SEI program
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-2922
Email: gael.sanchez01@utrgv.edu
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Gael Sanchez

Graphic Design Intern - SEI program
Email: gael.sanchez01@utrgv.edu
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-2922

Raj Nketiah

Student Assistant
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-2922
Email: otweduampongba.nketiah01@ut...
Read More

Raj Nketiah

Student Assistant
Email: otweduampongba.nketiah01@utrgv.edu
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-2922

Dulce Ayala

Work Study - Accounting
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-2922
Email: dulce.ayala01@utrgv.edu
Read More

Dulce Ayala

Dulce Ayala was born in Reynosa, Mexico. She graduated from Juan Diego Academy in Mission, Texas, in 2022. She is a University of Texas Rio Grande Valley freshman majoring in Accounting. Her main goals are to pursue a master's degree and earn a CPA license. She enjoys reading and listening to music, as well as playing volleyball. She joins International Admissions and Student Services as a Work-Study student concentrating in the Accounting area in 2023 Summer. 

Work Study - Accounting
International Student Services
Email: dulce.ayala01@utrgv.edu
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-2922

Genesis Ramirez

Office Student Assistant
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-2922
Email: genesis.ramirez04@utrgv.edu
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Genesis Ramirez

Genesis Y. Ramirez was born in Rio Grande City, Texas. She attended Roma High School in Roma, Texas where she continued her education in STC where she obtained her Associates Degree in Teaching. She recently transferred to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is planning to pursue her career in Early Education. She likes to spend her time shopping and listening to music. Genesis works as an Office Student Assistant at the International Student Services department at the Edinburg Campus. 
Office Student Assistant
International Student Services
Email: genesis.ramirez04@utrgv.edu
EMASS 1.102
Phone: (956) 665-2922

Estefania Quintana

Student Assistant
Phone: (956) 882-XXXX
Read More

Estefania Quintana

Student Assistant

Phone: (956) 882-XXXX

Mia Cantu

Office Student Assistant
BMAIN 1,308
Phone: (956) 882-7092
Email: adriana.cantu13@utrgv.edu
Read More

Mia Cantu

Mia Cantu was born in Mcallen, Texas but raised in Matamoros, Tamps. Mia Graduated from high school at Hanna's High school in Brownsville, Texas, and is now a Freshman student at The University of Texas of Rio Grande Valley, as a Criminal Justice Major and with a minor of Physiology. Mia's main goal is to achieve her degree in Fall 2026.  During her free time, she enjoys listening to music, shopping, and travel.

Office Student Assistant
International Student Services
Email: adriana.cantu13@utrgv.edu
BMAIN 1,308
Phone: (956) 882-7092

Julian Arteaga

Office Student Assistant
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-7092
Email: julian.arteaga01@utrgv.edu
Read More

Julian Arteaga

Julian Arteaga was born and raised here in the Rio Grande Valley. His major is Civil Engineering, and he is currently a Senior. After graduation, he wants to work in an engineering firm and later obtain his master's degree. Julian likes to go fishing and play soccer.

Office Student Assistant
International Student Services
Email: julian.arteaga01@utrgv.edu
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-7092

Aldys Banos

Student Assistant
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-709
Email: aldys.banos01@utrgv.edu
Read More

Aldys Banos

My name is Aldys Banos was born and raised in Brownsville Texas. Aldys graduated May of 2023 from Idea Brownsville public school and is now a sophomore at The University of Texas of Rio Grande Valley, as a Early Care Early Childhood Education Major. My main goal is to graduate in 2027 with my Bachelor's Degree and start working as elementary teacher. During my free time I like to finish as much assignments as I can and like to spend time with my family and friends. 
Student Assistant
Email: aldys.banos01@utrgv.edu
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-709

Ashly Perez Sanchez

BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-7092
Email: ashly.perezsanchez01@utrgv.edu
Read More

Ashly Perez Sanchez

This is my Bio: My name is Ashly Perez, currently a sophomore at the university of Texas of Rio Grande Valley, as a computer science major. My main goal is to get a masters degree in my career. During my free time I enjoy walking and programming.
Email: ashly.perezsanchez01@utrgv.edu
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-7092

Alexandra García

Student Assistant
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-7092
Email: alexandra.garcia11@utrgv.edu
Read More

Alexandra García

My name is Alexandra Garcia. Alexandra has an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, as a Political Science major. Her goal is to graduate with her bachelor's degree and apply to law school. During her free time, she enjoys reading books and listening to music.
Student Assistant
Email: alexandra.garcia11@utrgv.edu
BMAIN 1.308
Phone: (956) 882-7092
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