Skip to main content
  • About
    • Staff
  • Campus Activities Board
    • Events
    • Membership
  • Distinguished Speaker Series
    • Committee
    • Past Speakers
    • Live
  • Pride and Signature Events
    • Signature Events
    • Campus Traditions
DIRECTORY
MAPS
MYUTRGV
UTRGV
The University of Texas
Rio Grande Valley
DIRECTORY
MAPS
MYUTRGV
News
GIVE
Open Search Menu
Menu
utrgv logo
Student Activities
Division of Stratigic Enrollment & Student Affairs
  • About
    ▼
    About Square placeholder image 300px
    About

    Student Activities intends to create transformational leaders that will carry the Vaquero culture to influence meaningful change within the university, community and across the world.

    • Staff
  • Campus Activities Board
    ▼
    Campus Activities Board
    Campus Activities Board

    The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is a student-run organization that provides a well-rounded university experience by promoting student involvement, school spirit, and campus traditions; which foster a sense of belonging, affinity to the institution and overall supports student success and retention.

    • Events
    • Membership
  • Distinguished Speaker Series
    ▼
    Distinguished Speaker Series Square placeholder image 300px
    Distinguished Speaker Series

    The Distinguished Speaker Series (DSS) is a signature program under the leadership of Student Activities, that aims to provide the university and surrounding community with world-class speakers and lecturers.

    • Committee
    • Past Speakers
    • Live
  • Pride and Signature Events
    ▼
    Pride and Signature Events Square placeholder image 300px
    Pride and Signature Events

    Be part of the fun and feel right at home! Student Activities at UTRGV fosters Vaquero pride and belonging through exciting traditions and vibrant events.

    • Signature Events
    • Campus Traditions
Student Activities Past Speakers Banner

Past Speakers

Hexagons
  1. Home
  2. Distinguished Speaker Series
  3. Past Speakers
In This Section
Menu

Distinguished Speaker Series Menu

  • Committee
  • Past Speakers
  • Live

Quick Links

  • DSS Speaker Suggestion Form
  • Join the Campus Activities Board
  • Setup your Profile on VLink

2023-2024 Previous Speakers

Jose Hernandez
Jose Hernandez

Astronout and Book Author

April 16, 2024
UTRGV Performing Arts Complex | Edinburg, TX

Ambassador Nirupama Rao
Ambassador Nirupama Rao

Former Indian Ambassador to the United States

November 6, 2023
UTRGV Performing Arts Complex | Edinburg, TX

2022-2023 Previous Speakers

Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin

Academy Award-Winning Actress & Activist

March 22, 2023
TSC Performing Arts Complex | Brownsville, TX

2021-2022 Previous Speakers

Eduardo Chavez
Eduardo Chavez

Director, Speaker, Activist, Podcast Host, and Grandson of César Chávez

March 29, 2022
PlainsCapital El Gran Salon | Brownsville, TX

Lana Condor
Lana Condor

Actress, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, X-Men Apocalypse

March 2, 2022
Virtual Event

Common
Common

Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy-winning Artist, Actor, and Activist

February 1, 2022
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

John Quinones
John Quinones

ABC News Veteran, Creator & Host, What Would You Do?

September 21, 2021
TSC Performing Arts Complex | Brownsville, TX

2020-2021 Previous Speakers

Terry Crews
Terry Crews

Actor, Artist & Activist

February 8, 2021
Virtual Event

Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper

CNN News Anchor, Host of Anderson 360

November 14, 2020
Virtual Event

John Leguizamo
John Leguizamo

Actor, Voice Actor, Stand-Up Comedian, Producer, Playwright & Screenwriter

September 24, 2020
Virtual Event

Johnny Earle (a.k.a. Johnny Cupcakes)
Johnny Earle (a.k.a. Johnny Cupcakes)

CEO, Johnny Cupcakes, Award-Winning Entrepreneur & Brand Hysteria Expert, and Top Innovator in Retail.

Keynote Speaker for L.E.A.D. Conference

September 16, 2020
Virtual Event

2019-2020 Previous Speakers

Ruth Carter
Ruth Carter

Academy Award Winning Costume Designer

March 2, 2020
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith

Pro Football Hall of Fame Running Back, Businessman, and Entrepreneur

September 26, 2019
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

2018-2019 Celebrating 15 Years for DSS

George Takei
George Takei

Actor, Social Justice Activist, and Social Media Mega-Power

January 28, 2019
PlainsCapital El Gran Salon | Brownsville, TX

Wilmer Valderrama
Wilmer Valderrama

Actor, Producer, and Activist

September 27, 2018
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

2015-2018 Previous Speakers

Daymond John
Daymond John

American Businessman, Investor, Television Personality from ABC’s Shark Tank, Author, and Motivational Speaker

March 7, 2018
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

Diane Guerrero
Diane Guerrero

Actress and Author, White House Ambassador for Citizenship and Naturalization

February 1, 2018
PlainsCapital El Gran Salon | Brownsville, TX

Julian Castro
Julian Castro

Former United States Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Former Mayor, San Antonio, TX

September 27, 2017
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

Alison Levine
Alison Levine

American mountain climber, sportswoman, explorer, and leadership consultant

March 29, 2017
PlainsCapital El Gran Salon | Brownsville, TX

Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox

American actress and LGBT advocate

February 8, 2017
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

J.R. Martinez
J.R. Martinez

American actor, motivational speaker, and former U.S. Army soldier.

November 7, 2016
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

Albert Manero
Albert Manero

Engineer & Co-Founder of Limbitless Solutions

October 4, 2016
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield

Co-Founders of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, American Businessmen, activists, and philanthropists

April 12, 2016
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

Neil Pasricha
Neil Pasricha

Canadian author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and public speaker

January 28, 2016
PlainsCapital El Gran Salon | Brownsville, TX

Soledad O'Brien
Soledad O'Brien

I am Latino in America Tour

October 5, 2015
Performing Arts Center | Edinburg, TX

Contact Us - Student Activities

Brownsville

BSTUN 1.28
956-882-5736

Edinburg

EDBCX 122
956-665-7364

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
studentactivities@utrgv.edu

Note: Call, e-mail or visit the office to schedule a meeting online or in person.

Find us on Social Media

LIKE. FOLLOW. SUBSCRIBE. ADD.

UTRGV
  • CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Reporting
  • Site Policies
  • Required Links
  • Accreditation Statement
  • Fraud Reporting
  • Senate Bill 18
  • Clery Act Reports
  • Web Accessibility
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • Reporting Sexual Misconduct
  • Contact UTRGV
  • 1-844-ATUTRGV
  • Facebook
  • X Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Cost and Financial Aid
  • Student Life
  • Search Programs
  • First-Year Students
  • Transfer
  • International Students
  • Graduate Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty Resources
  • Staff Resources
  • UTRGV Careers
  • Visit Campus
  • Directory
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley