Jazmin Guardiola
Name: Jazmin Guardiola
Age: 19
Major: Criminal Justice
College: College of Liberal Arts
Hometown: Edinburg, TX
High School: Edinburg High School
Why UTRGV?
Staying close to my family while attending college was very important to me. In addition to that, affordability was a major point I took into consideration. I decided to attend UTRGV because it met these requirements.
What made you decide on your current major?
Helping those around me has always been my priority. I knew I wanted to make an impact in my community, however, I did not know which steps to take in order to reach this goal. That was until one of my supervisors at work aided me in the process of choosing which major best suited me.
How are you maneuvering being a student during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I prefer taking classes on campus because I am able to interact with my professors. Before this pandemic, I had never taken an online course. Therefore, the transition that occurred in March was a bit challenging.
What are your greatest strengths and what are some challenges?
Some of the challenges that I came across due to the COVID-19 pandemic were transitioning to online classes while helping my younger siblings do the same and remaining focused on my courses. I am a quick learner and very patient; these strengths allowed me to overcome challenges during quarantine.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
I hope to achieve my goal of becoming a Customs and Border Protection agent.
What do you like most about UTRGV?
I like how the professors at UTRGV go out of their way to aid the students, and also how students are really nice and are willing to help out each other. However, what I love about UTRGV is that I made new friends, including my best friend Lesly.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero means taking pride in Hispanic roots.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
While taking a service-learning class, I was given the opportunity to with The Catholic Charities and serve immigrants. This was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to change the way I view some things.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you have a problem, or a question, always reach out to your professor! They will do their best to help you. Some of the things that have helped me during this pandemic are my friends and my family. I strongly recommend to always reach out to your friends!