Santino Pascual
Name: Santino Pascual
Age: 23
Major: Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
Class: Senior
College: Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Mission, Texas
High School: Sharyland High School, Mission, Texas
Why UTRGV?
Its proximity to home was a major factor in my decision. Attending UTRGV allowed me to stay close to my family while pursuing my education. I was also drawn to the fact that the university is relatively new, offering an environment with room to build, contribute, and create new opportunities that resonated with me. The smaller class sizes provide a more personalized learning experience and make it easier to form meaningful relationships with professors, which has been invaluable to my academic and professional growth.
What made you decide on your current major?
I actually started as a nutrition major because I wanted to research plant compounds to develop a potential weight-loss supplement or drug. Shortly after witnessing an acquisition firsthand, I was introduced to the world of finance, and that experience completely shifted my perspective. I realized finance was exactly what I wanted to pursue. I was captivated by the complexity, the intensity, and the strategy driving every decision.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
I plan to pursue a career in finance. From the day I switched majors, I knew I wanted to become an investment banker. After years of hard work and sacrifice, I’m proud to share that I’ll be moving to New York City after graduation to begin my career as an investment banker on Wall Street.
What do you like most about UTRGV?
The friends and colleagues I’ve made have been the most rewarding part of my experience. The relationships I’ve built here not only made the academic journey more meaningful but also pushed me to grow personally and professionally. There’s a strong sense of community and shared ambition that’s hard to find elsewhere.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Getting crafty — doing more with less.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing their degrees?
Figure out the intersection of what you love, what you’re best at, and what genuinely interests you. Once you’ve found it, triple down and become the absolute best at it.