Meet the Staff

Executive Team

Stephen Hirst

Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment & Student Affairs

Dr. Hirst is a Harlingen, TX native and previously served as Associate Vice President of Campus Life and Student Success at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He began his career in higher education at Texas Tech University as an Activities Advisor for the Center for Campus Life and has served in various student life and student affairs leadership roles over the past 21 years. Dr. Hirst earned his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama in 2020.

Rebecca K. Gadson

Dean of Students

Ms. Gadson is dedicated to college student access, support, success, graduation, and the development of transformational leaders. She is a collaborative, creative, and team-oriented Student Affairs practitioner with over twenty years of experience working as a student affairs practitioner in which she has advised student government, the campus programming board, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and served as a Residence Life Director. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Liberal Arts for Human Services from the Morris campus of the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts in Counseling in Higher Education from Western Michigan University. In her spare time, Ms. Gadson enjoys spending time with her family, being a soccer Mom, singing in a local community gospel choir, and teaching Sunday school.

Delma Olivarez

Associate Dean for Student Involvement

Ms. Olivarez supports and encourages opportunities for students to get involved on campus and in the community. She plays a supportive role to the Center for Student Involvement, Student Activities, and Student Media and serves as an advisor to the Student Government Association.

She has worked in higher education since 2005. Her professional experience includes campus programming, civic engagement, community service, distinguished speakers, event services, facilities management, fraternities and sororities, intercultural programs, leadership programs, mentoring for first-year students, parent and family involvement, spirit programs, student government, and student organizations.

Ms. Olivarez was born and raised in San Benito, Texas. She attended The University of Texas at San Antonio where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. Through her involvement and student employment, she discovered her passion for the field of student affairs and decided to attend Texas State University to pursue a Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance with an emphasis in College Student Affairs.

Ms. Olivarez enjoys quality time with her family and friends. She enjoys traveling and multitasking while listening to a good audiobook.

Douglas Stoves, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Student Rights and Responsibilities

Dr. Douglas Stoves is the Senior Associate Dean for Students at UTRGV. Dr. Stoves has served the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in this capacity since 2015, and prior to that has served the Rio Grande Valley community for over 15 years through his roles at the University of Texas Brownsville such as the Director of Residential Life and as the Dean of Students.

Dr. Stoves currently oversees units such as the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, The University Chess Team, The Student Food Pantry, serves as a Foster Liaison, and is a known and respected resource on campus. He prides himself in advocating for students and being a known resource on campus that integrates academic support and student engagement through effective communication, student advocacy, and a team-focused approach. Dr. Stoves’ research focuses on Compassion Fatigue in Student Affairs, and he uses that to champion the success of our students today.

He also is a lover of our four-legged furry friends and has over 9 dogs!

Staff Directory

List of Staff
The first column lists the faculty's name. The second column provides the faculty's title. The third column states the faculty's email.
Name	Title	Email
Stephen Hirst	Associate VP for Strategic Enrollment & Student Affairs	stephen.hirst@utrgv.edu
Rebecca Gadson	Dean of Students	rebecca.gadson@utrgv.edu
Douglas Stoves, Ph.D.	Associate Dean for Student Rights & Responsibilities	doug.stoves@utrgv.edu
Delma Olivarez	Associate Dean for Student Involvement	delma.olivarez@utrgv.edu
Eduardo Martinez, MBA	Communications Coordinator	ed.martinez@utrgv.edu
Vacant	Program Coordinator (Center for Diversity and Inclusion)	-
Carmen Bernal	Administrative Associate	carmen.bernal01@utrgv.edu

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Student Life and Dean of Students Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs