Meet Michelle Madrid, a UTRGV Unsung Hero
Text by Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa
Michelle Madrid, assistant registrar within the Office of the Registrar on the UTRGV Edinburg Campus, oversees course scheduling, registration set-ups and academic room scheduling. She is in constant contact with students, providing answers and solutions to any questions or concerns they may have regarding registration.
Getting to put on her “analytical hat” and being able to find information to help UTRGV students is one of her favorite things about the job.
“Higher education is ever-changing,” she said, “and as a result, I love that I am constantly learning new things, which in return makes me more competent to provide better support for student success.”
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT UTRGV?
I oversee course scheduling, registration set-ups, and academic room scheduling.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?
I have been in the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) since 2010, but overall, since 2001 prior to UTRGV.
DESCRIBE YOUR AVERAGE DAY?
My focus is students, so I assist by providing answers and solutions to inquiries. The average day consists of responding to emails related to student records, class schedule changes, course inventory and registration.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
I love my job overall, and everything I do ultimately trickles down to students. My favorite part is putting on my analytical hat to help find answers and solve problems. Higher education is ever-changing, and as a result, I love that I am constantly learning new things, which in return makes me more competent to provide better support for student success.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY, OR STORY, ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE?
My favorite story about the OUR is about how, although I made a significant mistake within my first six months in this position, nobody tried to make me feel worse than I already felt. Instead, my colleagues volunteered to help with the cleanup, despite the fact they would be giving up their extra time off since it happened right before a holiday break. It was this incident that led me to feeling lucky and grateful to work with such an amazing team.
TELL US SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Most people don’t know that I was born and raised in California. Although my plan was always to return home where all my family is, after almost 22 years of living in the Rio Grande Valley, I may have to finally admit to myself that I must really like it here, since I am still here!
