Fatima Mancia Mendoza
Name: Fatima Mancia Mendoza
Age: 20
Major: Accounting
College: Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Arlington, TX
High School: Lamar High School, Arlington, TX
Why UTRGV?
I chose UTRGV because I wanted a different environment compared to where I grew up. UTRGV provided a lot of financial assistance, and scholarships that have helped me cover the cost of my education. I chose UTRGV because I believe it’s a great university, it's affordable, and at the end of my four years I’ll graduate debt free. Most importantly UTRGV has a diverse group of students, where I have made lifelong friends who have changed my life forever. The educator and students have given me a different perspective to life, and I am forever grateful for that.
What made you decide on your current major?
I took an introductory accounting class my senior year in high school and really enjoyed the class. I was also involved in UIL accounting, which only further influenced my decision. I take pleasure working with numbers and understanding the significance behind them. In accounting, numbers tell a story and I enjoy deciphering it.
How are you maneuvering being a student during the COVID-19 pandemic?
During my freshman year I was involved with the E.P.I.C program where I had a mentor. They were very helpful and always asked about my classes. If they saw me struggling, they would recommend tutoring at the learning center. Being involved in the program helped me achieve my academic goals, kept me motivated to do better, taught me to stay organized, and work more efficiently. They also recommended involvement in student organizations. Another tactic was one on one tutoring sessions with my professors for additional help, which were always so motivating and encouraging.
What are your greatest strengths and what are some challenges?
My greatest strengths would be communication, responsibility, punctuality, and organization. A challenge I faced due to COVID was that I was not able to move to campus due to safety concerns which was challenging. Being in Arlington, eight hours away, and trying to make friends or get involved on campus was difficult. Another challenge was having to take online classes instead of in person, which I prefer due to the accessibility it provides to our professors. Online learning just seems impersonal.
What do you like most about UTRGV?
What I like the most about UTRGV is the opportunity they offer to students. At the end of the fall semester, I was chosen for the Kemper Scholarship, which was $10,000. Being awarded this scholarship has helped me pay for tuition, books, and a new laptop. Besides scholarships, UTRGV has amazing student organizations that help you find internships, jobs and so much more.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero means so much to me because since I moved here, I have become more involved with UTRGV. I am a part of Enactus and ALPFA, business-oriented student organizations that serve our community. Since becoming a member of both organizations I have had so many opportunities. I have learned about social responsibility and helped many within the community. Being a Vaquero has shaped me to become a better person and to become a servant leader of the community.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
UTRGV has helped me find great opportunities through the student organizations such as Enactus and ALPFA. Enactus has provided me the opportunity to give back to the community I now consider mine through their CANSGIVING project, which fed 1,600 families across the Valley for Thanksgiving. I was also a mentor through the Enactus SOAR project, which helps Autistic young individuals get internships creating equal job opportunities within the community. Through ALPFA, I was able to volunteer at the Palm Valley Animal Society which was a great way to not only serve the people of the RGV, but the pets as well.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The best advice I can give my fellow peers pursuing degrees during the COVID-19 is to stay motivated and keep going do not let one bad grade tear you down. Go to tutoring and ask a lot of questions when you are not understanding material in class. Do not procrastinate and a planner is your best friend when you want to stay organized.