Meet the Staff
Executive Team
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Stephen HirstAssociate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment & Student AffairsDr. 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. |
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Rebecca K. GadsonDean of StudentsMs. 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. |
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Delma OlivarezAssociate Dean for Student InvolvementMs. 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. |
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Douglas Stoves, Ph.D.Associate Dean for Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesDr. 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. |
Staff Directory
Name | Title | |
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) |
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Carmen Bernal | Administrative Associate | carmen.bernal01@utrgv.edu |