Meet Karina Torres, a UTRGV Unsung Hero
Text by Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa
For 25 years, Karina Torres has been a guiding light for UTRGV students navigating the road to graduation. As an Academic Advisor on the Edinburg Campus, Torres has helped thousands of students select the right classes, tackle obstacles, and achieve their educational goals — all with the patience and compassion that make her a trusted figure in the UTRGV community.
From her time as a folklórico dancer to cheering on Vaquero baseball, Torres brings passion and dedication to everything she does. And while her support often happens behind the scenes, her impact is seen in every student who crosses the stage on commencement day — with her cheering from the audience, proudly saying, "That’s my student!"
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT UTRGV?
In my role as an Academic Advisor at UTRGV, I am dedicated to supporting students through every step of their academic journey. From course selection to career planning, I provide individualized advice and resources to help students succeed academically, overcome challenges, and achieve their long-term educational and professional aspirations.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?
I am proud to share that I’ve been part of the UTRGV/UTPA community for 25 years. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey filled with many meaningful experiences.
DESCRIBE YOUR AVERAGE DAY:
An average day as an Academic Advisor varies throughout the year, but one constant is the focus on supporting students and helping them succeed academically. During the academic year, my days typically revolve around advising sessions, where I meet with students to help them select courses, track their academic progress, and provide guidance on any challenge they’re facing. In between these meetings, I handle administrative tasks like responding to emails, updating student records, and collaborating with faculty and staff to ensure students have all the resources they need.
However, during the summer, my role shifts primarily to working with new and transfer students during orientation. This involves a lot of traveling between the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. It’s a busy and exciting time, as I help students adjust to university life, answer their questions, and ensure they have a smooth transition into their studies. While the increased travel can be demanding, I enjoy the chance to connect with new students in a more personal way. The variety of tasks during this time keeps each day different. Whether it’s guiding a first-time-in-college student through their first course registration or meeting with new transfer students, I’m always focused on helping them feel confident as they begin their path at UTRGV.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
My favorite part of being an Academic Advisor at UTRGV is knowing that I’ve played a small yet meaningful role in helping students graduate and achieve their goals. It's incredibly fulfilling to guide students through their academic journey and to be part of their success stories. Whether it’s helping them stay on track with their degree plan or offering support during challenging times, the thought that I’ve contributed to their growth and eventual graduation is something I truly value.
What makes this role even more rewarding is the relationships I build with students. Over time, some of these relationships evolve into genuine friendships, which reminds me of the deep connections we make through this work. The real highlight, however, is attending commencement. It’s an absolute honor to sit in the audience, watch them cross the stage, and be able to say, "That’s my student!" Seeing students flourish — not only as scholars but also as individuals — and knowing that I’ve been part of that process is the most fulfilling aspect of my job.
TELL US SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU:
Something the UTRGV community might not know about me is that I was a folklórico dancer. I had the amazing opportunity to travel and perform in different places, sharing traditional Mexican culture through dance. One of the highlights of that experience was getting to meet Hillary Clinton during one of our performances.
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UTRGV COMMUNITY?
As a big fan of baseball, I love supporting our UTRGV teams. You’ll most likely find me at the games, cheering them on. It’s one of the many ways I stay connected with the UTRGV community and show my Vaquero pride!
