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Success

UTRGV Mathematics and Science Academy holds first solo commencement

UTRGV Mathematics and Science Academy holds first solo commencement

  Monday, May 19, 2025
Pride and excitement were on full display Sunday, May 18, as 117 students from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Mathematics and Science Academy (MSA) celebrated a major milestone: their high school graduation. The event marked ...

utrgv spring 2025 commencement

UTRGV celebrating more than 3,200 graduates this spring

  Friday, May 16, 2025
A sea of caps and gowns filled Bert Ogden Arena on Friday morning as UTRGV kicked off the first of its two Spring 2025 Commencement days. Set across Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, the milestone event celebrates academic achievement, ...

Joy Cain, a UTRGV graduate

From breast cancer survivor to Ph.D. graduate: Joy Cain shares inspiring path to earning her doctoral degree

  Thursday, May 15, 2025
Joy Cain, a UTRGV graduate who earned her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling on Wednesday during a doctoral hooding ceremony, shared that her journey was shaped not only by her studies but also by a life-changing challenge: battling breast cancer ...

On May 14, UTRGV celebrated six new Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) at a hooding ceremony. Each DNP completed a project benefiting underserved communities, reflecting their commitment to the Rio Grande Valley.

UTRGV graduates second cohort of Doctor of Nursing Practice program

  Thursday, May 15, 2025
UTRGV held a hooding ceremony on May 14 for its doctoral graduates, including six new Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the 2025 cohort. Each DNP developed a quality improvement project aimed at benefiting an underserved or vulnerable ...


  • MSA valedictorian and salutatorian shine at program’s first commencement ceremony

      Thursday, May 15, 2025 — The Mathematics and Science Academy at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is proud to host its first standalone commencement ceremony this year, recognizing the outstanding achievements of its students. At the forefront of this celebration ...

  • A Journey of Love and Learning: Luis and Brenda Bocanegra share their story of perseverance on the path to earning doctoral degrees together

      Wednesday, May 14, 2025 — Brenda and Luis Bocanegra have done nearly everything together: building a life, raising their three children and now earning their doctoral degrees from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. On Friday, May 16, the married couple will cross ...

  • From Theory to Practice: Graduate takes next immersive steps into teaching

      Wednesday, May 14, 2025 — UTRGV graduating senior Leslie Garcia dedicated her final year of university to a fourth-grade classroom. This immersion was crucial for her studies, providing valuable practical teaching experience. As she concludes her year-long residency at ...

  • ‘Dreams don’t have a deadline’ UTRGV criminal justice grad ready to apply education to disability advocacy

      Tuesday, May 13, 2025 — On Saturday, May 17, Maribel Leos will walk the stage at UTRGV Spring 2025 Commencement , joining more than 3,200 Vaqueros who are receiving their diplomas.

  • UTRGV Luminary Scholars illuminate path to Spring Commencement

      Tuesday, May 13, 2025 — During Spring 2025 commencement ceremonies, nine students in the first Luminary cohort are about to walk the stage to accept their degree.

  • UTRGV Class of 2025: Public Health major embraces calling for social work

      Tuesday, May 13, 2025 — Hemma Uzoh never imagined her life’s journey would lead to a master's degree in social work. But on May 16, the 26-year-old Harlingen native will walk the stage at the Bert Ogden Arena to accept her Master of Science in Social Work ...

  • From Students to Doctors: UTRGV School of Medicine celebrates graduation of Class of 2025

      Monday, May 12, 2025 — The May 10 celebration at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg officially marked the transition from medical students to doctors. The ceremony featured the graduates walking across the stage to receive their Doctor of Medicine degrees in ...

  • UTRGV to expand academic and health affairs with new property acquisition in McAllen

      Friday, May 09, 2025 — The University of Texas System Board of Regents has authorized The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to pursue the purchase of property in McAllen to support the expansion of academic and health affairs.

  • Celebrating Excellence: UTRGV announces faculty award recipients for 2024-2025

      Friday, May 09, 2025 — These annual awards recognize faculty who have demonstrated outstanding contributions in teaching, online teaching, research, service, student mentoring, community-engaged scholarship and sustainability education.

  • CLASS OF 2025: UTRGV School of Medicine graduating med student inspired by mother’s cancer battle

      Thursday, May 08, 2025 — Carlos Cisneros was just 6 years old when his mother was diagnosed with leukemia and began treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He didn’t fully understand the science back then, but he did understand what mattered.   Doctors had ...

  • Class of 2025 to celebrate graduation at UTRGV School of Medicine Commencement

      Tuesday, May 06, 2025 — The Class of 2025 will celebrate their graduation during the UTRGV School of Medicine’s Commencement on Saturday, May 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg. This ceremony marks the transition from students to ...

  • UTRGV’s School of Optometry achieves Stage One designation from ACOE

      Tuesday, May 06, 2025 — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s proposed School of Optometry has recently been granted Stage¿One designation by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education¿(ACOE), marking a crucial milestone on the path to full ...

  • UTRGV Student Media awarded fourth TIPA Director’s Cup

      Friday, April 25, 2025 — UTRGV Student Media competed against nearly 40 colleges and universities recently to win the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s Director’s Cup.

  • Suit Up for Success: UTRGV Career Closet is back and better than ever

      Wednesday, April 23, 2025 — The UTRGV Career Closet offers free professional clothing for headshots, interviews, and career events to current students and alumni. Director Kamara Jackson noted that it helps eliminate economic barriers and empowers students during employer ...

  • From the Rio Grande to the national stage: UTRGV Folklórico makes historic fifth run

      Wednesday, April 16, 2025 — The UTRGV Ballet Folklórico is once again dancing its way into the national conversation. For the fifth time, the UTRGV Dance Program has secured a coveted spot at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) National College Dance ...

  • UTRGV’s Erin Easton participates in historic Antarctic research expedition

      Tuesday, April 08, 2025 — Dr. Erin Easton, an assistant professor in the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, recently returned from another groundbreaking research expedition, this time off the coast of Antarctica in the Bellingshausen Sea.

  • Checkmate: UTRGV wins fourth national chess championship

      Sunday, April 06, 2025 — The UTRGV Chess Team rallied on the final day of the President’s Cup to claim their fourth national championship in seven years. With seven points, UTRGV finished tied with Webster University, and both teams were named co-champions.

  • UTRGV honored at Texas Capitol ahead of 10-year anniversary

      Thursday, April 03, 2025 — On Thursday, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) received an early birthday gift from the Texas Legislature, which passed a resolution honoring the university’s upcoming 10th anniversary.

  • FROM ROOK TO KING: UTRGV’S Bartek Macieja brings lifetime of moves to the game board

      Wednesday, April 02, 2025 — Bartek Macieja, chess coach at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley since 2012, has led the UTRGV Chess Team to three consecutive national championships, and seven state titles. This year again, the team placed first at the Pan American ...

  • UTRGV Chess Team aims for fourth national title at President's Cup

      Tuesday, April 01, 2025 — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Chess Team is set to compete in the upcoming President’s Cup, seeking their fourth national title.

  • UTRGV marks a decade of milestones, partners with City of Brownsville on ‘Task Force of the Future’

      Sunday, March 16, 2025 — Building on a decade of student success, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the City of Brownsville have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint Task Force of the Future.

  • UTRGV invests over $60 million to strengthen academic infrastructure in Cameron County

      Thursday, February 20, 2025 — On Thursday the Board of Regents approved two significant UTRGV projects aimed at fostering regional growth: a $39 million repair and renovation of the Brownsville Visual Arts Complex, formerly the Longoria Elementary School, to accommodate the ...

  • ‘There’s so much more to discover’

      Wednesday, February 12, 2025 — When Dr. Erin Easton, an assistant professor with the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, first opened the email congratulating her on winning The Explorers Club Citation of Merit, she was aboard a Schmidt Ocean Institute ...

  • Enroll Now: UTRGV introduces new online MS in Marketing degree this fall

      Tuesday, January 28, 2025 — The Master of Science in Marketing is an online program designed to give students advanced analytical marketing skills and hands-on experience to launch a career in one of marketing’s many fast-growing fields.

  • THECB greenlights UTRGV’s new School of Optometry and Doctor of Optometry degree

      Friday, January 24, 2025 — The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has officially endorsed The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s proposal to launch a new School of Optometry and a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. UTRGV anticipates welcoming its ...

  • UTRGV starts Spring 2025 semester with record enrollment despite weather delay

      Friday, January 24, 2025 — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley officially kicked off its Spring 2025 semester with a record-breaking enrollment of more than 31,500 students on Wednesday. Despite severe weather conditions that forced the university to halt operations ...

  • UTRGV names new Liberal Arts dean

      Friday, January 17, 2025 — Dr. Jose Dávila-Montes, professor of Translation and Interpreting in the UTRGV Department of Writing and Language Studies, has been named dean of the College of Liberal Arts, effective Jan.1.

  • UTRGV names a dean for its new School of Optometry

      Thursday, January 16, 2025 — Dr. William L. Miller, a highly regarded and experienced academic optometrist, has been appointed inaugural dean of the UTRGV School of Optometry, effective Jan. 13.

  • UTRGV Chess Team claims top spot at Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship

      Friday, January 10, 2025 — In a historic achievement, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Chess Team secured its first-ever outright victory at the Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship.

  • UTRGV Year in Review

      Monday, December 23, 2024 — As we reflect on the past year at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, we celebrate a series of remarkable achievements that have shaped our institution and impacted our community.

  • Through the Lens at UTRGV: A Year in Photos

      Friday, December 20, 2024 — As 2024 comes to an end at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, we reflect on the moments captured through the lens of our official campus photographers, David Pike and Paul Chouy.

  • UTRGV celebrates Fall 2024 Doctoral Graduates at hooding ceremony

      Thursday, December 19, 2024 — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley recently celebrated its Fall 2024 doctoral graduates during its third hooding ceremony held at the Brownsville Campus.

  • Five UTRGV students named Kemper Scholars

      Thursday, December 19, 2024 — Five UTRGV students were selected as the new cohort of Kemper Scholars from more than 50 applications this semester.

  • Dr. Alexis Racelis selected as national Rural Innovator, recognized for community and environmental impact

      Wednesday, December 18, 2024 — Dr. Alexis Racelis, director of UTRGV’s Agroecology and Resilient Food Systems program, was selected as one of 14 Rural Innovators by the White House’s Domestic Policy Council. On Wednesday, senior Biden-Harris Administration ...

  • School Spirit Unmasked

      Saturday, December 14, 2024 — As the UTRGV Fall 2024 commencement celebrations came to an end on Saturday, Dec. 14, the mystery of the Vaquero mascot’s identity was unveiled.

  • Cheers to the Class of 2024

      Friday, December 13, 2024 — More than 2,700 Vaqueros will don caps and gowns over two days of ceremonies during UTRGV’s Fall 2024 Commencement, which kicked off festivities on Friday with two ceremonies and will continue the celebration on Saturday at the same times.

  • ‘No dream is too big’

      Friday, December 13, 2024 — Deaf since birth, Giselle Lozano is not only earning her degree in Criminal Justice but is also inspiring countless others to believe no dream is out of reach. Driven by a desire to “protect my family and my community from any dangers ...

  • Ready for the next mission

      Thursday, December 12, 2024 — For Arturo Montoya, 29, his scholarly path at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley began after serving in Afghanistan, where he was inspired by physical therapists during his recovery from a foot injury.

  • From Entrepreneurial Journey to Graduation

      Wednesday, December 11, 2024 — – Sebastian Melendez’s college experience at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been an entrepreneurial adventure, marked by founding his own company and excelling in numerous business competitions. This weekend, Melendez ...

  • UTRGV and TSTC partnership to strengthen training for EMS and physician assistant students

      Monday, December 09, 2024 — On Monday afternoon, the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at ensuring a high-quality educational experience for UTRGV’s physician assistant students and TSTC’s emergency medical services (EMS) ...

  • Annual UTRGV Holiday Card Contest celebrates student creativity and holiday spirit

      Monday, December 02, 2024 — In its 10th year, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Holiday Card Contest has become a tradition where students artfully capture the spirit of the university during the festive season. The annual contest encourages students to ...

  • UTRGV’s endowment surges to $191 million, empowering students to graduate debt-free

      Tuesday, November 26, 2024 — UTRGV President Guy Bailey announces the university's endowment has surged to $191 million—a 133% increase since 2016—providing more scholarship opportunities and enabling students to graduate debt-free.

  • UTRGV climbs to third place nationally in producing new Teach for America corps members

      Thursday, November 21, 2024 — UTRGV climbed seven spots from last year, according to the 2024 list for schools contributing the most TFA corps members. The university added 28 graduates to this year’s corps, an increase from 19 in 2023, in the large school category, ...

  • Wall Street Journal ranks UTRGV No. 1 in Texas for social mobility and best value

      Tuesday, November 19, 2024 — For the first time, the Wall Street Journal recognized The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as the No. 1 public university in Texas for Social Mobility and Best Value Public University in its 2025 college rankings.

  • New Regional Security Operations Center opens at UTRGV to enhance cybersecurity for the region

      Thursday, November 14, 2024 — In a groundbreaking collaboration, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) unveiled the newest Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC), marking a significant advancement in ...

  • UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine welcomes Class of 2028

      Thursday, November 07, 2024 — At the third White Coat Ceremony of the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine, a proud gathering of family, friends and faculty celebrated the momentous occasion as 23 students received their white coats and pins, marking the beginning of their ...

    Latest News

    • MSA Building

      A New Tradition Begins: MSA Class of 2025 to Graduate in First Solo Ceremony

    • UTRGV graduating senior Leslie Garcia immersed herself ...

      From Theory to Practice: Graduate takes next immersive steps into teaching

    • Maribel Leos major in criminal justice

      ‘Dreams don’t have a deadline’ UTRGV criminal justice grad ready to apply education to disability advocacy

    • UTRGV Luminary Scholars Graduating

      UTRGV Luminary Scholars illuminate path to Spring Commencement

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