Educational OpportunitiesImpactful ResearchHealth & Medical EducationStudent SuccessCommunity Engagement
This is just the beginning
Built upon the legacies of two institutions (The University of Texas Pan-American & The University of Texas at Brownsville), The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has always sought to transform. And since day one, UTRGV has been about more than just changing the conversation – it’s about becoming The Future of Texas.
Browsing through this site, you’ll discover the main events and achievements that have shaped UTRGV into the institution we know today. These milestones etched into UTRGV history help tell the story of this institution since our doors opened in August 2015.
We’re a work-in-progress. But we like where we’re headed.
Join us as we continue the journey
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Educational Opportunities
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Impactful Research
Health & Medical Education
Community Engagement
Student Success
UT Regents approve $20 million in PUF for UTRGV School of Medicine
Establishing the UTRGV School of Medicine has been a total team effort. But once the Board of Regents approved our procurement of Permanent University Funds, our SOM could officially begin to take shape. Though the years of planning, collaborating, and building have been fruitful, we're ready to realize our potential in a future teeming with opportunities to serve.
“This allocation will enable the School of Medicine to become a leader in research that will benefit the Rio Grande Valley and beyond, and prepare the next generation of physicians who will provide exceptional care to the communities they serve,” Dr. John Krouse, Dean of UTRGV’s SOM, said.
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School of Medicine graduates the charter class in 2020
For the SOM’s inaugural graduating class, commencement was supposed to be a special time to share with family and friends. However, the coronavirus pandemic had other plans, drastically shifting the course of their final semester and the celebration they’ve been anticipating since donning the white coat.
Though the virtual commencement was bittersweet, it outlined the impact and value these physicians will bring to the communities they will serve.
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School of Medicine treats patients in over 20 UT Health RGV clinical sites
With more than 20 clinical sites across the Rio Grande Valley, UT Health RGV continues to expand its ability to provide South Texas with quality health care.
With a dedicated team of board-certified physicians and health care professionals, we are able to offer a variety of medical services to our community.
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UT Health RGV leads local COVID-19 testing efforts
As the pandemic raged on, our community required more from its health care leaders. Responding to this urgent health and safety challenge, we quickly mobilized to provide reliable testing throughout the region. With sites in Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, and Mercedes, UT Health RGV is fulfilling its role as a leader in the fight against COVID-19 while continuing to meet the health care needs of people across the Rio Grande Valley.
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The state’s first School of Podiatry is being established in the RGV
UTRGV will be home to the first school of podiatry in Texas!
This exciting news can be added to the list of accomplishments for the School of Medicine and UT Health RGV. The Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program will allow students to specialize in the medical & surgical care of the ankle and foot.
The UTRGV School of Podiatry anticipates enrolling students in its inaugural class for Fall 2022.
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School of Medicine hires over 50 scientists to study diabetes, cancer, brain and nervous system disorders
One of UTRGV’s core pillars is our commitment to research that impacts the RGV and beyond.
With the addition of 50 new scientists, we’re strengthening our ability to fulfill this commitment by creating opportunities to conduct first-class research and innovate through exploratory studies.
We’re excited to see what these scientists learn, and how we can implement their discoveries for the greater health of our community, our state, and our world.
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Valley Baptist Foundation makes a historic $38 million gift to transform health research in the RGV
With a gift of $38 million, The Valley Baptist Foundation made UTRGV and its School of Medicine recipients of the largest single donation in the history of South Texas higher education.
“This generous funding offered to the School of Medicine allows us to deliver on all three of our core missions and change forever the landscape of medical education and health care in the Valley,” Dr. John Krouse, Dean of UTRGV’s SOM, said.
The funds will be earmarked for THRIVE (Transform Health Research in the Valley and Elsewhere) and aimed at establishing UTRGV as a national hub for biomedical research.
Learn more about this historic gift and how we plan to facilitate better health outcomes within the RGV.
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Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation awards a $2.5 million for scholarships for medical students from the Rio Grande Valley
Becoming a doctor takes time and money - lots of it.
But thanks to new scholarships generated by $2.5 million in funding from the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation, aspiring medical students from the Rio Grande Valley will have another opportunity to secure the financial support they need to make their dreams come true.
Each scholarship covers 50 percent of tuition over four years and helps recipients gain acceptance into one of the UTRGV School of Medicine’s residency programs upon graduation.
The School of Medicine began offering these scholarships to incoming first-year medical students in 2019, starting with the Class of 2023.
The foundation gifted an additional $2 million for recruitment of primary care physicians.
Read moreSince welcoming our inaugural cohort of physicians in the summer of 2016, the UTRGV School of Medicine is not only transforming medical education in South Texas, it’s also become a lifeline across the RGV by providing first-class healthcare.
See how we’re supporting the physical, mental, and social well-being of communities Valley-wide.
Education is power. And we continue to be recognized for supporting our students by making a first-class education affordable and accessible.
See how UTRGV is opening doors to new possibilities here in South Texas.
Breaking barriers and sparking innovation. That’s what our esteemed faculty, staff, and students are doing each day in UTRGV facilities and labs. From deep space to the Gulf of Mexico, we’re establishing leadership through research that’s shaping the future of Texas and the world as we know it.
We’ve always been invested in promoting a more vibrant and connected Rio Grande Valley. And with all that we’ve been through this year, we’ve learned just how integral each person is to a community’s success.
UTRGV students, faculty, and staff are fixtures in their respective communities and help advance the university’s mission throughout the region. Because when people work together, anything is possible.
As one of the nation’s premier Hispanic-serving institutions, we’re forging the future of Texas now and for generations to come.
Here’s a glimpse at why the UTRGV experience is so successful at preparing Vaqueros for prosperous careers post-graduation.
Athletics
UTRGV is home to the Vaqueros and 16 NCAA Division I sports.
Our athletics program proudly represents the university in competition, the classroom, and in the community. Our goal is to provide our student-athletes with fulfilling, dynamic experiences and educational opportunities that will shape them into leaders and successful professionals.
UTRGV’s Women’s Tennis Crowned Western Athletic Conference Champions
In a game that kept everyone at the edge of their seat, UTRGV’s women’s tennis team defeated No. 1 New Mexico State Aggies 4-2, cementing the team as a force to be reckoned with. The win handed UTRGV’s women’s tennis team their first-ever WAC Championship and gave us another reason to celebrate during our first full year as a university.
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Champions! Volleyball Punches Ticket to NCAA Tournament By Winning WAC Tournament Championship
UTRGV’s volleyball team met Utah Valley University at the net and inspired fans with an energized performance in the Pan American Center back in 2016. UTRGV sent a message of strength to UVU in the first set and never looked back. UTRGV quickly established a 10-5 lead on their way to a huge win over UVU for their first WAC Tournament Championship. The win also secured a ticket for the team’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament. Go UTRGV!
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Baseball Wins WAC Championship
In an epic WAC Championship game, the Vaqueros outlasted - and out slugged - Utah Valley University to earn UTRGV baseball’s first WAC Championship at the NCAA Division I level. UTRGV finished the 2019 regular season with a program record 19 conference wins. The 34 overall wins are the program's most since 1991 (37).
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Chirchir Punches Return Ticket to NCAA Cross Country Championship
The Vaqueros men's cross country team knows a thing or two about speed. Just ask UTRGV student Abraham Chirchir, who dashed to the finish line at the NCAA South Central Regional, placing sixth out of 157, and set a personal record of 30:12.2 — the sixth-fastest in the program history.
A 10K in about 30 minutes? Yep, Chirchir did that.
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Men's Basketball Beats California Baptist in Overtime to Clinch No. 2 Seed in WAC Tournament
In front of a raucous crowd at the UTRGV Fieldhouse, the Vaqueros men’s basketball team finally got the job done in an electrifying game that went into overtime. When the dust settled, the Vaqueros earned the respect they demanded from the unrelenting California Baptist University Lancers by prevailing 79-76 and locking in a No. 2 seed in the Western Athletic Conference.
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UTRGV Student-Athletes Achieve Record-Breaking Academic Success
In a year that upended traditional student life, UTRGV’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced 218 student-athletes had joined the Spring Athletic Director’s Honor Roll by scoring a 3.0 GPA during the spring semester. Of those, 68 student-athletes earned a 4.0 GPA. Whether on the field, track, court, or classroom, our students sure know how to score points.
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UTRGV admitted into prestigious Carnegie Project on Education Doctorate consortium
In 2019, UTRGV was one of only nine institutions of higher education to be accepted into the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), the knowledge forum on the Education Doctorate (EdD). Made up of over 100 colleges and schools of education, CPED and its members commit resources to collaborate and critically examine the doctorate in education for the purpose of redesigning preparation for professional practice in education.
This is a great honor as we join other prestigious institutions who have the responsibility of improving PK-20 education and the organizations that support it.
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UTRGV announces 11 Valley legislative internships for 2019
Eleven UTRGV students were selected to serve as interns at the State Capitol during the 86th Texas Legislative Session.
These Capitol Interns worked in the Austin-based capitol offices of Rio Grande Valley State Legislators and put their academic knowledge into practice by assisting in research, writing, and event organization. During this life-changing experience, the students acquired a greater understanding of the legislative process and received real-life training, all while earning class credit. Capitol Interns also received an $8,000 stipend to help offset living expenses during their time in Austin.
“I realized that politics was, indeed, what I want to do. I am grateful to have been given this opportunity to keep on living my passion and keep my dreams going strong,” Bertha Lance, a 2019 Capitol Intern, said.
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Vaqueros Vote
This nonpartisan coalition of UTRGV faculty, staff, students and nonpartisan 501c3 community organizations is dedicated to increasing political and civic participation among the UTRGV community by driving public awareness about the value of participation in democracy through the electoral process.
Since its founding in 2015, Vaqueros Vote has partnered with local county officials to help register voters, educate voters through candidate forums, and hosting events featuring the Texas Secretary of State and Wilmer Valderrama, Voto Latino co-founder. Perhaps its biggest accomplishment over this stretch has been its efforts to secure and grow the presence of polling locations on our Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. And that work has translated into action. According to the 2018 National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) Campus report, UTRGV has over 20,000 students registered to vote, equating to a voter registration rate of 76.8 percent and a voter rate of 43.2%.
Though we’d like to see all registered voters exercise their right, our voting rate is still 4.1% greater than the national average of all higher education institutions participating in the NSLVE.
With record turnout in 2020, we can’t wait to see what the new numbers say about our students and their interest in civic engagement.
White House names UTRGV a “Bright Spot in Hispanic Education”
We received inspiring news from the nation’s capital as the White House recognized UTRGV for being a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education.
This presidential honor stemmed from two of our university initiatives: UTRGV’s nationally recognized Hispanic Engineering, Science, and Technology (HESTEC) program, and the way the university has institutionalized research & experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students.
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Year-old UTRGV ranks third in UT System on Forbes Top Schools list
In the ninth annual Forbes Top Colleges list, UTRGV joined the ranks of what the publication defines as outstanding institutions. Unlike rankings from other outlets, Forbes distinguishes the schools on their list according to “Return on Investment”.
Knowing how expensive a degree can be, Forbes identifies schools that deliver a quality education at an attainable price, with rankings based on post-graduate success, student debt, student satisfaction, graduation rate, and academic success.
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UTRGV moves up in Carnegie Classification
Being elevated to the second-highest classification of the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education was a sign that we were headed in the right direction. Reaching this level meant that UTRGV was now classified under Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity (R2). This also meant that were were only one step away from achieving the coveted classification of Very High Research Activity (R1), or Carnegie Tier One.
Tier One, here we come!
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UTRGV acknowledged for awarding degrees to Hispanic Students
As a Hispanic Serving Institution, we have the privilege and responsibility of educating a uniquely vibrant community of scholars. UTRGV continues to be recognized for enrolling, retaining, and awarding degrees to high numbers of Hispanic students.
Ranked 1st among Texas universities, and 2nd nationally, for awarding the most undergraduate 4-year degrees to Hispanic students. At the graduate level, UTRGV is 1st among Texas universities, and 4th nationally, for awarding the most master’s degrees to Hispanic students.
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UTRGV Ranked Fourth Best University in Texas
Being among the best in any category means you must be doing something right. While it doesn’t tell the full story of a university only three years in, this 2018 ranking from BestColleges.com confirmed we were on the right track. Where will we go from here? Well, when you’re The Future of Texas, anything is possible.
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UTRGV recognized for 6 top degree programs in the U.S.
Vaqueros know it’s not enough to be smart – you’ve got to be Intelligent! In 2019, several of our online degree programs were highly ranked by Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for students seeking unbiased information about colleges and universities. UTRGV was nationally ranked in the following categories: #1 for Sports Medicine Degree Programs, #5 for MBA in Finance Degree Programs, #13 for Social Work Degree Programs, #14 for Master’s in Public Administration Degree Programs, #15 for Master’s in Sports Medicine Degree Programs, #32 for Master’s in Social Work Degree Programs.
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UTRGV marks record-high enrollment amid pandemic challenges
UTRGV is one of nine Texas four-year public institutions with enrollment over 30,000. We reached this landmark number in fall of 2020. Our growth this year was a record high of 11.5 percent combined for undergraduate and graduate students.
Talk about an impressive semester!
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Washington Monthly ranks UTRGV #3 University in Texas, Top 100 Nationally
UTRGV had five notable rankings in this year’s College Guide and Rankings published annually by Washington Monthly.
These categories include:
- Top National University
- Net Price of Attendance (after financial aid)
- Performance of Pell-Eligible Students
- Performance of First-Generation Students
- Social Mobility
2017 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to LIGO founders for gravitational waves detection
The globally recognized Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to three scientists for their LIGO/VIRGO Collaboration.
UTRGV played an active role in this global collaboration through its Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy (CGWA), and continues to contribute to the project, which includes over one thousand researchers from more than 20 countries.
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UTRGV’s Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy part of first observation of neutron stars collision
We say that stars align. But can they collide?
Scientists from UTRGV’s Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy (CGWA), along with peers from around the world, announced the first-ever sighting of two neutron stars colliding. Observers witnessed the stars collide over the sky in Chile, approximately 130 million light-years away.
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Chess Team Crowned New National Champs
UTRGV’s Chess Team took the five-year reigning champs from Webster University by surprise, winning the President’s Cup at the Marshall Chess Club in NYC.
“We are extremely proud of our chess team and admire the hard work and effort they put into every competition,” said President Bailey. “Winning the President’s Cup is indeed a great honor for our chess team, for UTRGV and for the Rio Grande Valley. We congratulate them on their win.”
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UTRGV Chess Team Defends National Title, Wins Second President's Cup
Winning a national championship in any event is quite the feat. But winning two -- in a row? That’s the definition of dominance. In Spring 2019, The UTRGV Chess Team officially took over the world of college chess after winning the President’s Cup in New York City for the second straight year.
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UTRGV Ranked #2 “Best Bang for your Buck” University in the South
Sure, we pride ourselves on academic prowess. But perhaps the greatest thing about UTRGV is that we’re a world-class university you can afford to attend without mortgaging the future.
Last fall, Washington Monthly magazine, known across the country for the discerning methodology of its college rankings, recognized UTRGV as not only a top public university, but one of the best values nationwide.
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UTRGV Unveils Historic Tuition Advantage
We believe those seeking an education should be supported along the way, regardless of their starting point. UTRGV’s commitment to helping students find success rose to new heights after the university announced an expansive new program that would cover tuition and mandatory fees of qualifying Vaqueros from families with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less.
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UTRGV increases Tuition Advantage to $95,000 to help ease time of economic hardship
Months ahead of its anticipated Fall 2020 launch, Tuition Advantage - already the most expansive program of its kind in Texas - expanded even further in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Now, those qualifying Vaqueros from families with an adjusted gross income of $95,000 or less would have their tuition and mandatory fees completely paid for. This swift action by UTRGV during the first days of the pandemic in the U.S. helped provide critical resources - and peace of mind - to more students and families throughout the state coping with economic hardship.
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UTRGV Ranks #1 Among Nation’s Public Institutions for Least Student Debt
What does it take to be #1? Well, when it comes to creating value for our students, we have a variety of ways for Vaqueros to enjoy a rewarding -- and affordable -- college experience.
It’s only fitting that our first distinction of the year would occur in the first month (January), and would rank UTRGV first in the nation among public institutions for least student debt, which speaks to our first priority: Student Success.
Thanks to U.S. News & World Report, this ranking helped shine light on our ability to not only enroll students, but to ensure that they graduate with a degree - without the debt.
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UTRGV’s Fall Relief Package to Provide Eligible Students with $1,000 in Direct Cash Grants
We all know college students can get by on a shoestring budget. But that was before a modern day pandemic derailed many traditionally reliable sources of income (family, campus employment, summer jobs, internships, etc.). In an effort to help students continue progressing toward a degree, UTRGV decided it was more important than ever to provide students with even more financial support for the Fall 2020 semester.
Utilizing the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) and university funds, UTRGV distributed $1,000 to all CARES eligible students during the first half of the term. Each eligible Vaquero - undergraduate and graduate - received cash grants to use for personal or education-related expenses. That can get you a pretty nice computer, or A LOT of instant ramen. And both can definitely help get you through a tough academic term.
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School of Medicine prepares a diverse group of 220 medical students and 236 residents to provide high quality care here in the RGV and beyond
We’re honored to have the opportunity to educate future medical professionals and current residents. Our team at The UTRGV School of Medicine is at the forefront of health care innovation that’s providing students with valuable educational and training experiences - ensuring they’re prepared to provide the type of care our patients deserve.
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UTRGV and UT Health RGV launch COVID-19 testing sites
When crisis struck in mid-March, many institutions were unequipped to serve their communities amid a pandemic. However, thanks to UT Health RGV and the UTRGV School of Medicine, our team was ready to fight. Realizing the assets and infrastructure available, local and state leaders established testing sites in Edinburg and Brownsville. These sites, combined with the efforts of all front-line workers, continue to help fight the spread throughout the RGV.
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UTRGV School of Medicine treats patients, unveils UTHealth RGV
Since its inception, our institution has been poised to accomplish great things. With this in mind, the UTRGV School of Medicine launched UT Health RGV. This clinical practice is an innovative and growing medical center bringing the highest quality of patient care to the community of South Texas.
Patients can easily access standard & specialized services from centers in Rio Grande City, Edinburg, McAllen, Weslaco, Harlingen, Brownsville, and Laguna Vista.
As UT Health RGV continues to grow, so does the opportunity to make a lasting impact and grow as a leader in the healthcare field.
Read moreAthletics
UTRGV ranks #1 for online Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Making education affordable and accessible is a winning combo. CollegeValuesOnline.com ranked us the #1 best-value college nationwide for our accelerated online Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership.
This program was designed to develop educational leaders who are culturally responsive and are capable of serving a diverse population,” the website says.
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UTRGV chosen for Texas OneGulf Center of Excellence
Ten UTRGV faculty members were chosen to join six other researchers from various Texas institutions, forming the Texas OneGulf Center of Excellence.
These ten researchers will focus on the Gulf of Mexico’s resiliency, sustainable growth, and harmony between the natural environment and the commercial development that drives the coastal region’s economy.
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Brenda Bazan helps make the nation weather-ready
Knowing what Mother Nature will do can be a difficult task, especially when she takes us by surprise.
But thanks to students like Brenda Bazan, we’ll be able to prepare for – and predict – what the weather has in store. Bazan, the only undergraduate in the field of 34 graduate students from 21 universities represented at the Innovators Program Summer Institute at the National Water Center (NWC), contributed to research that will help close the gap between flood forecasting and local emergency response.
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Chemistry professor receives acclaim for avocado seed husk research
Most of us happily eat the green fruit of an avocado and throw away the seed. But not Dr. Debasish Bandyopadhyay, a UTRGV professor of Chemistry, who along with his research team - have discovered the healing properties of the seed’s husk.
Through their research they’ve found that the husk, which is the protective covering of the seed, contains chemical compounds that may be able to help treat certain diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It definitely makes you wonder what other life improving findings can be discovered from a seed…
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STDOI receives $3.6 million from NIH
The South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute at UTRGV received $3.6 million in funding from the NIH to study fatty liver disease in Mexican Americans. The project is led by Dr. John Blangero, director & professor of the Genomics Computing Center at STDOI.
As part of their research, Dr. Blangero’s team will include 1,000 Mexican Americans across South Texas, whom the institute has been studying since 1991.
“Fatty liver disease is a significant public health problem in South Texas and represents a major risk factor for liver cancer,” Blangero said. “Our project is focused on identifying environmental factors involved in fatty liver disease risk using a novel approach in which we increase these environmental signals by controlling for genetic factors.”
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Compressing time to research climate change
Without a time machine to jump 20 or 40 years into the future, we don’t know what coastal plant life along the Gulf will look like. We can, however, get inventive. And that’s exactly what Dr. Christopher Gabler and his team are doing by compressing time.
Dr. Gabler, professor of Environmental Sciences, has built a series of structures that will alter the environment in small areas to test physical and biological reactions to changes in rainfall. Their research will give the team valuable insights on how plant groups change in coastal wetlands. This in turn can give them a better perspective on how to respond to changes in climate and help mitigate the anticipated effects.
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UTRGV professors receive grant to enhance agriculture
Honeybee hive cameras? Yup! They exist.
Research conducted by UTRGV professors Dr. Dongchul Kim and Dr. Joanne Rampersad-Ammons is utilizing these tiny cameras by installing them in honeybee hives to gather data. Dr. Kim created an algorithm-based visualization system that will enable the team to monitor the health of their colonies and gain better insight on this integral part of our ecosystem.
By building a bridge between engineering and agriculture to learn more about bees, the team hopes to find a collaborative approach to addressing the future of agriculture.
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STITCH brings preventive care to local colonias
The UTRGV School of Medicine’s colonia health initiative, a key part of UTRGV’s South Texas Interprofessional Team Collaborative for Health, or STITCH. STITCH is comprised of professionals from various backgrounds including researchers, clinicians, and community advocates, which together, provide an interdisciplinary approach to preventative health care for residents in underserved communities across the Rio Grande Valley.
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SOM approved to begin accreditation process
The UTRGV School of Medicine got the news it had been waiting for. Now that it had been approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education to begin the accreditation process, SOM was one step closer to achieving full accreditation, which officially allows the school to recruit its charter class.
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UTRGV, United Health Foundation unveil Unimóvil mobile clinic
Health care is more important than ever. But what if you can’t access it? Enter Unimóvil. The mobile clinic, which provides essential care to underserved areas throughout the Rio Grande Valley, is part of a three-year, $2.88 million grant that established the Center for Colonia Integrated Care Program: VIDAS (Valley Interprofessional Development and Services).
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UTRGV School of Medicine welcomes its first class
The 55 students in the inaugural cohort were selected from among 2,784 applicants. And of these first 55 chosen, 20 were from the Rio Grande Valley, with 15 coming from Hidalgo County and five from Cameron County. The first cohort included 12 graduates of UTRGV and its legacy institutions.
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Thousands attend first UTRGV HESTEC Community Day
The first HESTEC Community Day at UTRGV was a success!
The STEM-themed event focused on inspiring kids to pursue math and science. Performances by Disney Channel star Dove Cameron and country music star Chris Young attracted many across the region to attend and learn more about technology and engineering careers.
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UTRGV partners with City of Weslaco to expand CIC
The partnership will expand the UTRGV College of Business and Entrepreneurship’s existing Center for Innovation and Commercialization (CIC) and develop a mixed-use business incubator to include classroom space, student services and start-up business support functions.
Aside from providing economic, business and educational opportunities for the area, the project will also help bolster the UTRGV’s presence in the Mid-Valley.
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Engineering Technology student wins coveted design award
While most students were enjoying their summer break, UTRGV engineering technology student Mario Castillo took a different route. Instead, he enrolled in two difficult engineering classes and decided to enter a design competition. What happened next, you ask? Well, his design for an autonomous mobile robot crowned him the Siemens 2015 Student Design Contest Winner. Now that’s a summer well spent.
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UTRGV opens convenient one-stop shop for students
With the launch of U Central, students’ seemingly endless search for administrative assistance became a thing of the past. At U Central, UTRGV’s one-stop service center for student support, staff members are cross-trained to answer questions about financial aid, enrollment, admission, registration or anything students need to navigate the UTRGV experience.
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First UTRGV Psychiatric-Mental Health Students Certified
The need for nurses with a psychiatric mental health educational background was something Dr. Eloisa Taméz, UTRGV professor of graduate nursing education and co-principal investigator, and Dr. Mary Diaz, associate professor of nursing education, were both very well aware of.
With the help of a grant from the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation, eight UTRGV students earned the first-ever post master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification from the UTRGV School of Nursing. Dr. Tamez said the need for nurses with a psychiatric mental health certification is only growing in this country.
“This area of healthcare is greatly underrepresented in our region,” Taméz said. “Having PMHNPs will enable community-based clinics to expand their services to all Valley residents, including the high-need demographic of adolescents.”
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UTRGV student engineering team designs writing device
Writing is a motor skill many of us take for granted. But for those with Parkinson’s disease, it’s a daily struggle. Enter UTRGV mechanical engineering students. Their senior design project, a device called the Self-Stabilization Holder, placed second in the Rafael Munguia UTRGV Business Plan Competition and a patent has been filed for the design of their device. Next up? An approval from UTRGV’s Institutional Review Board. Once additional tests are done, you can expect more advanced prototypes and hopefully more writing by those who have been affected by the disease.
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UT System Board of Regents Approves UTRGV Vaquero
With its bold typographic design and charging rider, the UT System Board of Regents approved the athletic branding of the Vaquero we’ve come to love and wear with pride. Out of the eight different concepts, three made the final list, and ultimately two were presented to focus groups consisting of UTRGV students, donors, and alumni. We might be biased, but it really does rally the student spirit.
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UTRGV Athletics featured in USA Today
Being featured in national publications is something our students are used to. Whether it’s peer-reviewed publications or USA Today Sports, our students are constantly in the national spotlight. Just ask UTRGV student athletes Jose Garcia and Leslie Luna, both students were interviewed by USA Today Sports, and gave national readers a glimpse of the resilience UTRGV students are made of.
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Vaqueros Soccer Club competes nationally
The UTRGV Vaqueros Men’s Soccer Club earned a golden ticket to the NIRSA National Soccer Championship alongside Texas Tech University and UT Austin back in 2018. Vaqueros Men’s Soccer Club President Alejandro Garcia said a loss would have meant a sad tip home.
“We all knew that, by that point, it was either winning or winning,” he said. “And losing that first match (against Tulane) made us realize this was real.”
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Faculty & students at forefront of Zika research
When South Texas floods, it also faces an increase in its mosquito population – and greater concerns about the West Nile and Zika viruses.
Biology professors, Dr. Christopher Vitek and Dr. John Thomas, along with their team of dedicated students, are working on research that addresses the Zika virus locally and nationally. With funding from the CDC, they are testing mosquitoes and gathering data in two sectors: entomology and pathology.
“I am proud of the great work being done at UTRGV in response to this major threat to the public health of our community,” Bobby Guerra, State Representative, said during a July 2018 public tour of the lab.
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MBA student recipient of 2018 PMIEF award
When Taiwo Abraham received the congratulatory email for the PMIEF award, he didn’t know what to think. After the initial shock wore off, he called his friends, who are in the same profession, to inform them of the news.
Abraham’s winning paper, PMO Longevity: Implementation Phase Inputs and PMO-Operations Management Integration, focuses on how organizations can more successfully implement their project management initiatives. With a goal to be involved with PMO at a global level, he’s on track to make his vision a reality.
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the journey
In 2015, we officially embarked on a new journey.
As we reflect on where we started, we’re seizing this moment by highlighting the successes we’ve relished over these five years and sharing the stories that are shaping our future.
This commemorative Fifth-Anniversary badge does just that. The design captures the spirit of UTRGV and incorporates symbols of hard work, determination, and commitment across our university community. Each section within the "5" represents a completed year as a new university, and each selected element signifies the diversity of our people and the region we proudly call home.
The three prominent stars represent our three main campuses (Edinburg, Harlingen, and Brownsville), which are central to the communities they serve. We utilized a variety of elements and graphic combinations to create an overarching "5" - the melting pot that has brought the entire Rio Grande Valley together as one.
And it's as one university, one Valley - united - that we'll continue on our journey as The Future of Texas.
About Our 5th Anniversary Badge
The Future
of Texas
About Our 5th Anniversary Badge
In 2015, we officially embarked on a new journey.
As we reflect on where we started, we’re seizing this moment by highlighting the successes we’ve relished over these five years and sharing the stories that are shaping our future.
This commemorative Fifth-Anniversary badge does just that. The design captures the spirit of UTRGV and incorporates symbols of hard work, determination, and commitment across our university community. Each section within the "5" represents a completed year as a new university, and each selected element signifies the diversity of our people and the region we proudly call home.
The three prominent stars represent our three main campuses (Edinburg, Harlingen, and Brownsville), which are central to the communities they serve. We utilized a variety of elements and graphic combinations to create an overarching "5" - the melting pot that has brought the entire Rio Grande Valley together as one.
And it's as one university, one Valley - united - that we'll continue on our journey as The Future of Texas.
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Site Policies | Privacy Policy | Required Links | Fraud Reporting | UTRGV Careers |Clery Crime Reports | Texas Homeland Security | Texas Veterans | Mental Health Resources
The Future
of Texas
UTRGV earns Carnegie Foundation’s coveted Community Engagement Classification for 2020
UTRGV earned the prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for 2020. It’s the first time the university has received this elective, evidence-based designation, which recognizes our engagement within the community.
“When it comes to improving the social and economic mobility of students, there are few institutions in the nation that make more of an impact than UT Rio Grande Valley,” said James B. Milliken, UT System Chancellor. “Because UTRGV is invested and engaged in communities throughout the Valley, it has a deep understanding of the support and resources students need to be successful during and after college
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Despite challenges, UTRGV Enactus students host annual Cansgiving for the community
2020 was a challenging year for many. With the pandemic affecting our everyday lives, UTRGV’s student organization Enactus knew that their work was more important than ever.
Their annual Cansgiving event provides full Thanksgiving turkey meals for families in need. This year, the group received $5,500 in funding from the McAllen Elks Lodge to provide complete meals for 300 families. Additional community partners and individual contributions allowed the group to continue this year’s tradition of service.
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UTRGV’s CHAPS program receives Texas Historical Commission’s 2020 Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation
If you think the culture and history of the Valley can be lost - don’t fret! There’s a dedicated team working to preserve its legacy.
The Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools program is helping tell the story of the Valley, ensuring that its rich history can be shared for generations to come. Their hard work has garnered the attention of the Texas Historical Commission, who awarded CHAPS with the prestigious 2020 Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation.
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UTRGV expands parent-directed autism program across the Valley
A nearly $500,000 continuation grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, will enable UTRGV’s College of Education and P-16 Integration to expand its autism program across the Rio Grande Valley.
“The increase in the autism population has continued,” said Dr. Hsuying Ward, a UTRGV associate professor with Human Development & School Services . “Right now, one out of 10 kids with disabilities has autism, and our local increase mirrors the national increase. So, the need for instructional programs for parents is even greater with COVID-19 still in sight.”
Read moreOur 5th Anniversary commemoration is coming to a close. We’re thankful for everything we’ve been able to accomplish these past few years — and couldn’t have done it without you! As we remember UTRGV from then to now, we reached out to some of our UTRGV faculty, staff, and administrators and asked them to share their experiences. Watch their stories here.
Our 5th Anniversary commemoration is coming to a close. We’re thankful for everything we’ve been able to accomplish these past few years — and couldn’t have done it without you! As we remember UTRGV from then to now, we reached out to some of our UTRGV faculty, staff, and administrators and asked them to share their experience.
Testimonials