Samantha Colunga
Name: Samantha Lynn Colunga
Age: 20
Major: Bachelor’s in Environmental Science
College: College of Sciences
Prospective Graduation Date: Fall 2021
Hometown: Monte Alto, Texas
High School: Monte Alto Early College High School
Why UTRGV?
For one, UTRGV is much closer to home. I’ve lived in the RGV my whole life and I wasn’t fully ready to leave my home behind. Staying at UTRGV allowed me to have my entire family nearby to support and help me. My major is also environmental science, and I think the RGV is a unique place to study for this degree. Not many people realize how unique the RGV is and how important it is to help protect it.
What made you decide on your current major?
Math and science were the main subjects I enjoyed throughout high school. During my senior year of high school, I highly enjoyed my AP environmental science class. I was also a founder for the Green Team at my high school, so that was a fun experience as we learned different ways to recycle and learn more about climate change, which further sparked my interest and helped me finalize my major.
How are you maneuvering being a student during the COVID-19 pandemic?
As everyone transferred to online learning, it was difficult to interact with others, especially school projects. I choose online classes whenever possible to help protect my family and others. I also try my best to stay organized by having a planner to help me navigate through my courses throughout the week and do as much work as I can.
What are your greatest strengths and what are some challenges?
Some of my greatest strengths are my dedication, commitment, and time management in all my classes. I really enjoy all my science courses, as they all relate to climate change and the effects it has on the environment. I also consider myself to have good penmanship for my notes.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
Once I graduate this Fall (2021) I do plan on attending graduate school. I am currently undecided if I should stay here in the RGV to continue my masters, as I am also between other universities. I do hope to start graduate school in the Fall 2022. During my masters, I do hope to do more research and complete my thesis with something I’m interested in. After obtaining my masters, I plan on finding a job in a research career or with a governmental agency. In the long road, I also hope to eventually get my PhD. Being an environmental science major can help me educate others on how so many human activities harm the world. With a research career, I also hope to find solutions or new knowledge in climate change.
What do you like most about UTRGV?
The main thing I like about UTRGV is the campus and the professors. I love all the trees and the scenery the campus gives. The professors I have had have all been so helpful and nice. Many professors care about their students while both in person and online. Many of the professors I have had are passionate on what they teach as well as making the classes more intriguing.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero lets me show others school spirit. We represent the RGV, which is culturally diverse and a united community. Meeting others from different colleges is fun, as I get to share the place, I call home in the Valley.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
I never realized I wanted a research career until I started my undergraduate research experience with Dr. Pereira. Working besides Dr. Pereira has helped me sparked my research interests, as well as giving me the opportunity to participate in TRESS (Training, Research, and Education in Soil Science). I have done research on sandy soils within arid and semi-arid regions, and the impacts conservation agricultural practices have on soil carbon. Later, UTRGVs department of science shared with me a flyer of a summer virtual internship with Brown University. I was able to apply, and I got accepted! I was able to do an internship with a Brown University faculty mentor on future climates and the effects carbon has on plants, based off paleoclimates. This internship experience helped enhance my research skills for a future research career and helped expand more of my research interests.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Be patient and stay positive! Watching the news and hearing so many things about covid is honestly stressful and causes anxiety for many, especially with school. Whether you continue your education online or in person, everything will work for the best.