Richard Clayton, a clinical therapist with the UTRGV Counseling Center, spoke to the Student Government Association about his background in the military and how this experience helps him offer counseling services to veterans on campus.
The SGA conducted a meeting Oct. 4 on the Edinburg campus to cover counseling services for students and veterans, the president’s report, student affairs and the introduction of new members in the association.
Clayton detailed the services the Counseling Center offers veterans.
“[Veterans] come and talk to me first as a person, a fellow veteran, so it’s already broken down that barrier,” he said.
Clayton said the center helps veterans transition from military life to being a civilian and a student.
He also talked about suicide awareness and the 22 a day, which refers to the rate of veteran suicides nationwide. Clayton said the number has dropped to 17 a day, but they decided to leave it as 22 because that is what it is known as.
Veterans or family using the Veterans Affairs benefits are prioritized when asking for help in the Counseling Center.
“You come into my office and identify as a veteran or family member using services, I might get to see you that day,” Clayton said.
After the clinical therapist’s talk, SGA Vice President of Internal Affairs Juana Jimenez and Vice President of External Affairs Gregorio Zuniga presented the president’s report.
Jimenez Lopez said they just finished setting up meetings with Information Technology and the University Library.
The Rider asked for details about the meetings. Jimenez Lopez replied the meetings are general sessions with different departments on campus to address student concerns.
Zuniga said he is working on some applications for senator positions, among others.
Kourtnie Hernandez, SGA program coordinator and adviser, said any students currently enrolled or who will be enrolled in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 can represent UTRGV as a student representative for the University of Texas Board of Regents or representative for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Applications are available on V Link.
The SGA voted to appoint Kevin Ramirez, an accounting junior, as a new senator for the Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship.
“I wanna go more in depth … listening to what [students] want … and just provide that for all our students,” Ramirez said.
The SGA also appointed biology and anthropology senior Isabella Zapata, a former senator for the College of Sciences, as a new associate justice.
“I hope to be able to interpret and to be able to really contribute to SGA through the judicial system,” Zapata said.
The next meeting will take place Oct. 18, according to the SGA’s V Link page.
