Krystal Yates

Krystal Yates

Name: Krystal Yates
Age: 21
Major: Bachelor’s in Business Administration
Class: Junior
College: Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Mission, TX
High School: Sharyland High School 

Why UTRGV?
I chose UTRGV because I love the RGV as a whole and didn’t want to be too far from home. UTRGV is an amazing university, and it would be a shame if I didn’t take advantage of its resources and opportunities to me and other first-generation Hispanic students.

What made you decide on your current major?
I am currently working on different small business projects and have always leaned toward the business side. To have a successful business you need to know how to manage your money and market it. So, this major is the best of both worlds.

What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
I would love to create a service that will not help businesses themselves but the safety and well-being of those they serve. We are daily consumers of many different resources and it’s important to consume what’s best for us and our families. 

What do you like most about UTRGV?
The culture is great, and the professors are so support to students. The faculty here is always welcoming me with open arms and assisting me with any questions or concerns I might have.

What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero is more than just throwing up “V’s” or a cowboy, it’s about representing the predominate Hispanic culture that we live in. It is rare to find a place in the U.S. where you see so much unity for those in similar backgrounds and upbringings.

What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
It has helped me make long lasting connections with different peers and mentors, as well as helped me tap into different skills I didn’t even know I had.

What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing their degrees?
My advice would be to follow your passions and not focus so much on what others are doing. Make your story unique to who you are and for what you strive. We all might have the same degree plan but it’s what we do with it that matters in the end. So, try not to fall into comparisons and really focus on being your best authentic self.