Santana Peralez
Name: Santana Peralez
Age: 23
Major: Mass Communications - Broadcast
College: College of Liberal Arts
Hometown: La Joya, Texas
High School: Texas Connections Academy, Houston, Texas
Why UTRGV?
The ability to study my desired major while being close to my family. Also, as a low-income student whose family can’t help financially with school, the tuition advantage offered by UTRGV helped me make my decision.
What made you decide on your current major?
I knew I wanted to study Mass Communications but was torn between print journalism and broadcast. I love writing and have always had a passion for storytelling, but in the end my love of being behind the camera or mic won.
How are you maneuvering being a student during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I transferred to UTRGV in the fall of 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, and never really had a chance to learn what UTRGV was like pre-pandemic. We are shifting more into normalcy but there are still moments when we must make changes based on Covid. I’ve learned to be much more flexible with the way I learn and study.
What are your greatest strengths and what are some challenges?
I’ve learned I’m a lot more adaptable than I thought I was, but I’ve also learned that studying entirely from home is not for me and never will be. I can take some online classes but trying to take every course online is too much for me, I need some structure.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
Honestly my entire colligate career has been one unplanned move after another. I didn’t even start applying to colleges until after I took my SAT, and the choice to leave STC and continue my education at UTRGV was basically a whim. I’ve continued this course of academic impulsiveness by deciding to apply to grad school. After that I have no clue, I know I love being able to work in media and the opportunities I’ve had here (working with the News & Internal Communications (NIC) Team and volunteering at the radio.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero means that I can follow my dreams in the place I’ve called home all my life. It means that I can say I’m Valley born and raised, and I got my degree here.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
UTRGV has taught me that the Valley is growing so fast, and it’s shown me that the community is full of opportunities - all you must do is go after them.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic?
This pandemic may never end, don’t wait to go after what you want until the pandemic is over. Follow your passions now. Life is fluid, every changing and chaotic the only thing we have control over is what we do and the best advice I can give is to focus on what you can control and let everything else fall into place around you.