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Student Activities
Division of Strategic Enrollment & Student Affairs
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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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Past Speakers

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Quick Links

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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

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studentactivities@utrgv.edu

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