Rebeca Gonzalez
Name Rebeca Gonzalez
Age: 20
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Mission
Why UTRGV?
The opportunities for growth, proximity to home, and growing environment influenced my decision in choosing UTRGV as my university. Another main factor in my decision was the impressive psychology program offered and the pre-medical opportunities. UTRGV offers the opportunity for individuals to discover themselves by providing an active student life, a vast group of organizations and classes, and enormous support from the staff to see all students flourish in the field they desire.
What made you decide on your current major?
To me, one of the most interesting things about the human body is the brain and how it works. I decided on psychology as my major because my goal is medical school. I am doing my minors in biology and chemistry to have groundwork on sciences that medical schools search for.
What do you like most about UTRGV?
What I love the most about UTRGV are the professors. The immense support from professors is felt in every class. Some classes are more challenging than others, but all professors want the same eminent thing for their students - for them to thrive. Another thing that I like about UTRGV is the opportunities it has given me so far, both extracurricular and professional.
What are some of your favorite study spots on campus?
My favorite study spots on campus are the research laboratory in which I’m an RA in the ELABN building and the new wing of the science building. The laboratory is used by all RAs to work on school material whenever we are not doing assignments from the laboratory; it is a quiet, two-room location that we are free to access if it is not in use by the professor. The new science building wing is also one of my favorite areas on campus because it has an area on each floor specifically design to study, boards on walls included, which is not much populated most of the time.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquer@ means being proud of my heritage. UTRGV is expanding and putting the RGV on the map, which inspires students to thrive and be the best we can be. Consisting of mostly Hispanics, UTRGV radiates a feeling of home that could not be easily found elsewhere.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
By granting me the opportunity to do research as a research assistant in the Stress and Health Lab and providing organizations in which I can volunteer and work with individuals with the same interests as me. I am an active member of MEDLIFE, an organization with the purpose of helping developing countries in South America, and through it, I have had the opportunity to go out and help the community. Another major opportunity UTRGV has provided me with is working for the UTRGV STEPS Program under the College of Health Professions, designed to research childhood obesity and heart problems in Pre-K students in certain RGV school districts in order to promote healthy lifestyles.
What are a few of your favorite books?
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho started as a summer read I had to do for high school and ended up becoming my favorite book. Coelho gives the reader a journey of self discovery by portraying that one does not need to go across the world in order to find his or her life’s treasure. He beautifully states that love is something magnificent that, when true, will never rob you of anything nor stop you from achieving your dreams. Another one of my favorite reads is a book written in Spanish by my mother, “Alturia: Legado de Poder.” This one is important to me because whenever she would have something new written she would always call me, and I would lie on her bed listening to her tell me her story.
What’s in your playlist right now?
My go-to artists are Ed Sheeran and a Latin group called Morat. My favorite playlists consist of pop music, and English and Spanish artists ranging from John Mayer to Sin Bandera.