Luis Rubio

Luis Rubio

Name: Luis Rubio
Age: 21
Major: Mass Communications
College: College of Liberal Arts
Hometown: El Paso, TX
High School: South Texas ISD Business Education Technology Academy (BETA) in Edinburg, TX 

Why UTRGV?
It was an easy choice for me. I had already taken dual-enrollment courses with UTRGV as a sophomore in high school and continued to do so until my graduation. I did have options to leave, but why would I? I had already built a foundation and friendships with professors and students on campus. It was an obvious choice. The high level of academics, a Division I athletics program on the rise, and the growth of the institution. I invested in UTRGV, and the profit has been tenfold.

What made you decide on your current major?
Becoming an educator has always been a life-long dream of mine. Every step that I have taken in my educational journey from elementary, junior high and high school was with the end-goal of teaching in mind. When it was time to select a major at UTRGV that notion was no different. I always looked at the profession with awe as every day is filled with new challenges and opportunities to help those of the next generation. In addition, education, through the lens of mass communication, maximizes on problem-solving, creativity, citizenship, and unique experiences for students, highlighting the intrinsic joys of teaching. 

How are you maneuvering being a student during the COVID-19 pandemic?
To be honest, not much changed in maintaining my academic goals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yes, everything is over Zoom or Blackboard, but my approach has remained the same. I read my textbooks, complete my assignments and study for my exams. I do my job. This approach worked before the pandemic, and it continues to work during the pandemic.

What are your greatest strengths and what are some challenges? 
My greatest strength is in the support system around me. There is no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my family, friends, teachers, professors, UTRGV Athletics, UTRGV Student Media, UTRGV, and countless others. All credit goes to those that have taken time to help, guide, support, and advise me in the pursuit of my goals. I would like them to know that my success is their success and I am eternally thankful. 

What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
Countless individuals have helped me become the person that I am today, and I want to pay it forward whenever I can. Working as a teacher or in communications, I want to highlight, support and mentor those of the next generation. There is no I in team. If my students or student-athletes succeed, I succeed. 

What do you like most about UTRGV?
I have not come across a student, professor, or staff member that has not extended a helping hand, that is what I’ve liked the most about UTRGV. The people, the community and culture have made it easy to excel as a student and grow as a person. This is truly a special place in an even greater community.

What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Commitment to excellence. Those three words best exemplify what it means to be a Vaquero. It is a message that is shown at all levels throughout the university. Every year, UTRGV has taken massive steps in the community and on-campus to uphold the highest standards of higher education. When you see the university is not satisfied with their success, it only makes a student like myself push to be the best that I can be.

What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
As a sports reporter and play-by-play broadcaster for Vaquero Radio it has opened countless doors in the sports community of the Rio Grande Valley. Through my hard work, I have been blessed to be a sideline reporter and TV analyst for UTRGV Athletics, work with RGVFC Toros of the USL and RGV Vipers of the NBA G-League, and have stories published in The Monitor newspaper. These are opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and knowledge from UTRGV students, professors and staff members.

What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Pressure makes diamonds”
I tell everybody that university isn’t that difficult, it’s everything that comes with it (stress, anxiety, a global pandemic, maturing, personal matters, relationships, friendships and work) that makes it appear, at times, an impossible goal to accomplish. Yet, it’s in those moments of extreme pressure that you must remember that you are investing in yourself and your future. Remember to power through. Yes, it might take sleepless nights, long study sessions, and many tears but if you can keep on rolling with the punches, you are going to shine.