Staff
Florence Raven Nocar, J.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Chief Equal Opportunity & Title IX Officer, Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity
Title IX/EO/AA (504) Coordinator
Office: (956) 665-2103
Florence.Nocar@utrgv.edu
Florence Raven Nocar leads the Office of Title IX & Equal Opportunity. In her role, she furthers UTRGV’s commitment to equal access, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination on behalf of staff, faculty and students.
She has a law degree from The University of California, Los Angeles, is a certified mediator, and is a ATIXA certified Title IX Coordinator. She received her B.A. in Psychology w/ Honors from Stanford University.
She has served as one of UTRGV’s Deputy Title IX Coordinators since 2015 and comes with prior Deputy Title IX experience from The University of Texas - Pan American. She was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and is also a graduate of the Science Academy of South Texas.
Becky Espinosa, MS
Senior Institutional Title IX and Equal Opportunity Investigator
Office: (956) 665-3838
Becky.Espinosa@utrgv.edu
Becky Espinosa is the Senior Institutional Equity Investigator for the Office of Title IX & Equal Opportunity at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). She is charged with promoting the University’s commitment to ensuring the campus community is rooted in respect and fair practices. Her primary responsibility includes conducting fair, equitable investigations specific to discrimination, sexual misconduct and retaliation.
Ms. Espinosa earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice, a bachelor of arts in psychology and a master of science in counseling from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. She possesses a wealth of investigative experience and has worked in the criminal justice system at the state level with juvenile delinquents and at the federal level with adult offenders. Ms. Espinosa served as a United States Pretrial Services Officer and subsequently as a Senior Investigative Specialist for the United States District Courts - Southern District of Texas for twelve years. Following her federal employment stint, Ms. Espinosa worked as a Special Investigator conducting federal employee background investigations and security clearance adjudications in furtherance of national security. Ms. Espinosa’s professional experience also includes having served as a Title VII and Title IX Investigator for the Office of Compliance at Texas A & M University - Kingsville. In 2011, the YWCA, whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women through social justice reform honored Ms. Espinosa with the “Y Women in Careers” award.
Ms. Espinosa has successfully completed : Advanced Title IX Investigator Training, Title IX Foundations Compliance Institute Training; EEOC New Investigator Training Program; Sexual Assault Family Violence Investigator Course (SAFVIC Program); Forensic Experiential Trauma-Informed Interviewing (FETI) Training; Hostage Negotiations & Crisis Intervention Training (Legal & Liability Risk Management Institute), Advanced Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Training (National Institute of Crime Prevention), and lastly, Investigative Interviewing and Advanced Interrogation Techniques (John E. Reid & Associates).
Sandra Rodriguez
Senior Institutional Title IX and Equal Opportunity Investigator
Office: 956-665-3851
Sandra.rodriguez@utrgv.edu
Sandra Rodriguez is an Institutional Equity Investigator with the Office of Title IX & Equal Opportunity at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). She has worked at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley since 2019. Her duties include conducting fair, equitable investigations specific to sexual misconduct, discrimination and retaliation complaints. In addition, in her role with the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity she conducts trainings, presentations, and discussions to students, staff, and faculty at UTRGV that revolve around sensitive issues. These issues include sexual harassment, sexual assault, diversity/inclusion, and discrimination.
Ms. Rodriguez has earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 2004 from UTPA and a Masters of Science in Social work in 2019 from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She has extensive experience in the field of abuse, interpersonal violence, exploitation, and neglect. Prior to joining UTRGV, for over 14 years, she worked with abuse victims and perpetrators and helped families address their own strengths and needs to achieve safety while preserving the family in different roles within the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Ms. Rodriguez investigated, supervised, and provided case management services to families in crisis through in home services.
Ms. Rodriguez has successfully completed numerous relevant trainings to include Trauma Informed Interviewing, Title IX trainings, and completed the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) New Investigator Training Program.