Grace Ochoa
Name: Grace Ochoa
Age: 21
Major: Bachelor’s in Integrated Health Sciences
Class: Senior
College: College of Health Professions
Campus: Edinburg
Hometown: Hidalgo, Texas
High School: Hidalgo Early College High School, Hidalgo, Texas
Why UTRGV?
UTRGV offers students an affordable yet excellent education. Being awarded the UTRGV Presidential Scholarship helped my family and me afford higher education. Not only that, but UTRGV has given me unique opportunities that many other universities do not offer. One of those opportunities was serving as an intern through the SEI program, which provided me with research experience and the privilege of working at the UTRGV School of Medicine, where I hope to one day attend.
What made you decide on your current major?
As cliché as it sounds, I have always wanted to be a doctor. My mom loves to share that at just 8 years old, I dressed up as Doc McStuffins and decided I would one day be a physician. My major, Integrated Health Sciences, has given me the opportunity to learn from kind and caring professors. Our curriculum focuses on teaching the importance of health ethics while fulfilling the prerequisites for many professional graduate programs, such as medical school.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
Beyond graduation, I hope to become a physician dedicated to serving children and advocating for the care they deserve. I plan to work here in the Valley and give back to the community that has seen me grow. Ultimately, I want to treat my patients and their families with compassion while providing them with the best care possible.
What do you like most about UTRGV?
What I like most about UTRGV is the ongoing sense of support I have received from my professors and faculty. Professors take the time to help students learn and succeed, not only in class but in life. I have had the opportunity to meet amazing professors over the past few years who still recognize me around campus and stop to say hello. Professors like these make students feel seen and cared for.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero means giving back to our community through volunteer service and personal accomplishments. Attending a university that recognizes our achievements, big or small, gives me a sense of pride and reinforces that UTRGV truly cares about the success of its students and the community.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
As president and co-founder of the Integrated Health Sciences Student Association (IHSSA), I have organized various student-led events and met many students with similar goals. My previous role as a medical education intern with the UTRGV School of Medicine taught me the importance of networking with professors and sparked my interest in research. I had the opportunity to conduct research on oxidative stress in cardiovascular disease and the potential use of resveratrol as a therapeutic agent. This work led to my name being listed among the corresponding authors on a research paper, and our findings were presented at the UTRGV School of Medicine Research Symposium in 2024.
Additionally, my job as a Trailblazer with the Office of Student Success has allowed me to help first-year students navigate their transition into college. Our main goal is to encourage students to remain enrolled by providing them with the resources they need to succeed. All of these experiences have deepened the impact I have made both on campus and in my community.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing their degrees?
Get involved. Attend workshops, conferences, and join organizations. You will meet people with similar goals and build genuine friendships along the way.