Esperanza Rocha

Meet Esperanza Rocha, a UTRGV Unsung Hero

Text by Ester Navarro, student staff writer
Photos by Silver Salas, student staff photographer: 
https://utrgv.news/EsperanzaRocha
Password: unsungrocha (case sensitive)

Esperanza Rocha gazes occasionally out her office window to enjoy a view of UTRGV’s beautiful front lawn. Her job is to answer questions from university faculty and staff about employment education, and she works hard to help make the process go as smoothly as possible.

She jokingly refers to herself as a traffic director, because her office – where photographs of her seven grandchildren peer down at her from a shelf above her computer – is right across the hall from the elevator.

“I always have people asking me for directions,” she says. “During the school year, especially the fall semester, that’s when there’s always a lot of traffic.”

She has a lot of interaction with the university community that way, and one of the things that impresses her the most about the students at UTRGV is how polite they are.

“I think that’s something very special about the students at this university,” she says. “The students here are so respectful. I always note their manners. I appreciate it.”

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT UTRGV?

Compliance Specialist – I assist with the communication, oversight and monitoring of compliance programs within the university.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?

I started my employment with the Occupational Therapy Department in 2006 and then moved on to work for the Office of International Programs before coming on board with Institutional Compliance.

DESCRIBE YOUR AVERAGE DAY?

My average day consists of answering questions and providing navigational guidance, so employees can complete the required training assignments on Blackboard and/or reporting to the employee online portal, generating reports, data entering, and monitoring and tracking compliance issues.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?

My favorite part of my job is providing great customer service - whether it be in person, via Skype, over the phone or in writing, to those individuals who contact our office.

TELL US SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I have a granddaughter who started her first semester at UTRGV in the fall semester. I am wholeheartedly excited for them and I feel confident that UTRGV will provide a great academic experience for them.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY OR STORY FROM YOUR TIME HERE?

My favorite memory is of then-presidential candidate Barack Obama’s visit to the campus. I remember that even though it was a hot day in February, that didn’t stop the crowd from showing up. It was great to see the enthusiasm and involvement of so many students.        

DO YOU FEEL A SPECIAL BOND WITH THE UTRGV COMMUNITY?

I have met so many wonderful individuals and made many lasting friendships. So, yes, I do feel a special bond with the UTRGV community. I’m especially thankful to the staff and faculty for their support and encouragement in achieving my lifetime dream of attaining my bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

I Am UTRGV