Jenna Scoggin
Name: Jenna Scoggin
Age: 21
Major: B.S. in Chemistry
College: College of Sciences
Hometown: Edinburg
High School: STISD Science Academy, Mercedes
Why UTRGV?
UTRGV has a beautiful campus and distinguished faculty, along with being close to home and a being a smart financial decision for me. Due to the student population being on the smaller end, I knew there would be good opportunities to excel as a student. I also had several close friends that were attending UTRGV who were also science majors!
What made you decide on your current major?
Starting out as a biology major, I took both general biology and general chemistry during my first semester. By the end of that semester, I realized that I liked chemistry a lot more because of its applications in math and science. Then, I discovered the UTeach program, which would allow me to graduate with my B.S. in chemistry and also with certification to teach high school chemistry. I had always wanted to teach in the future, so it was the perfect opportunity.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
I would like to go to graduate school for a master’s in science education. I hope to do this while gaining experience in teaching at the high school level. I would also like to advance my career by becoming a curriculum writer for the district. With all of this and my future teaching career, I will be able to apply my experience and learning to my students!
What do you like most about UTRGV?
At UTRGV, there are friendly and intelligent professors that always want to help their students learn and grow. The classes are a good size, especially in the upper-division classes where you might need more one-on-one time with the professor. I have also had a lot more opportunities in research, work experiences, and leadership in various ways!
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
I always enjoy sporting orange and rooting for UTRGV at the various athletic games alongside my peers! Being a Vaquero means being a part of a spirited community that is always cheering for one another in more than one way. UTRGV also represents the Valley and all it has to offer, which many people may not know about. So graduating as a Vaquero and going out into the world also means more representation about our hidden gem in south Texas!
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
From May 2021 to December 2022, I was the president of the Elliott Chemical Society. Over that time, I worked with many students, professors, administrators, and community partners to collaboratively plan events, outreach initiatives, and fundraising opportunities. Also, from January 2020 to the present day, I work on campus as a Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) leader for general chemistry. Every semester I had multiple sections of about 20 students that I would guide through practice problems that aligned with the professor’s lecture. These experiences really strengthened my skills and passion for leadership and teaching!
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing their degrees?
Have a calendar of some type! I used the Apple digital calendar, which also syncs between any Apple products you have. You can put in the date, time, and location of your class/event and set it to repeat throughout the semester. It will also help you remember what days you have exams or assignments due. My favorite aspect is that you can color code per class or any category you choose. In the beginning, I only used it for school, but then I started adding my plans to hang out with friends and other non-school-related things.