By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – AUG. 28, 2023 – UTRGV this week welcomes back returning students and faculty for the Fall 2023 semester, as well as first-time college students just beginning their journey at UTRGV.

For the fourth straight year, UTRGV recorded first-day enrollment of more than 32,000 students, and the UTRGV Trailblazers were on hand to help the new Vaqueros navigate the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. A range of student organizations also hosted information stations to facilitate.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

On the Brownsville Campus, a Monday misunderstanding brought together two sophomores for lunch in the UTRGV Student Union.  

“We both showed up to campus to find our class was held online today,” said Hailey Jordan Pedraza, from San Benito. She was sitting in El Comedor with Shelby Gomez, a transfer student from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. “So we decided to make the most of it and have lunch together.”

Gomez and Pedraza, both education majors, met in their first class of the semester.

Gomez said she was thankful for Pedraza’s support in getting around campus her first day at UTRGV.

 “I am looking forward to meeting my professors and taking my education classes,” she said. “I am really excited about my first class this morning, and I have another this afternoon.”

They said they are looking forward to meeting their fellow Vaqueros this academic year.

They were joined for lunch by sophomore Matthew Gutierrez, a science major from Harlingen, who said he, too, is hopeful about making contacts in the College of Sciences to network for his future.

“I am really looking forward to taking a class in first aid / first responder,” Gutierrez said. “I want to know how everything works in that field and get CPR-certified.”

Students walk to classes on the UTRGV campus in Brownsville during the start of the Fall 2023 semester. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

BEGINNINGS, NEW EXPERIENCES

Hector Torrez, a freshman in the School of Accountancy who commutes to the UTRGV Edinburg Campus from his home in Reynosa, Mexico, on Monday was preparing for his next class in the UTRGV Library. His first day was smooth sailing, he said.

“It's very pleasant to be here and be able to experience the traditions,” he said. “Everybody talks about college being super stressful, but so far I’ve had a good experience. I'm having a really good time. The teachers have been helping a lot.”

Angelline Martinez, from Edinburg, was more emotional than she expected on her first day.

“College is scary!” the Business Management freshman said. “But everybody's been helpful. I only had one class today, so I came to the library.”

Alyssa Ramirez, a freshman studying Biology, said she likes the freedom of setting her own course schedule. She lives in Donna and hopes to get the hang of her new routine quickly.

She admitted to being a little nervous on her first day of college, but she was also excited.

“I think this year will be fun!” she said.

To hear more from UTRGV students, check out @utrgvnewsroom on Instagram, Facebook, X and Threads.

Students take a break in between classes during the first day of the Fall 2023 semester at UTRGV in Edinburg. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)