UTRGV is recognized in education magazine

Paulina Longoria | THE RIDER

UTRGV has been ranked high nationally in nine categories by Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine, placing among the Top 100 Schools for Hispanics.

The magazine published the rankings, which are based on 2018-2019 federal data, in its October issue.

The categories are as follows:

–fourth in total enrollment in four-year schools

–third in bachelor’s degrees 

–fourth in master’s degrees

–seventh in engineering degrees

–second in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees

–first in English language and literatures/letters degrees 

–third in parks recreation, leisure and fitness studies degrees

–10th in religious studies degrees

–seventh in visual and performing arts degrees.

Magdalena “Maggie” Hinojosa, senior vice president for Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs, said it is absolutely wonderful that the university ranked in so many categories nationally.

“We have a commitment to educate our Rio Grande Valley and the majority of the Rio Grande Valley is Hispanic, and so as we increase enrollment, our Hispanic population increases,” Hinojosa said.

In Fall 2019, the Office of Strategic Analysis and Institutional Reporting data showed 29,113 students were enrolled, of whom 89.4% identified as Hispanic.

Marco Charles, a mechanical engineering senior and vice president of Internal Affairs for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers UTRGV chapter, identifies as a Hispanic student.

“I feel really proud and I see all of the efforts that UTRGV is doing to help the Hispanic community,” Charles said. 

He is also proud of being in the College of Engineering & Computer Science as the student body has the support from its dean and faculty.

“Something else that really stands out to me is how professional the faculty at UTRGV is and how much effort they put into helping their students cross the finish line,” Charles said. 

He said he is looking for internship opportunities to complete next summer. Charles’ expected graduation date is Spring 2022, and he would like to pursue a master’s degree in data science.

Hinojosa explained the ways UTRGV motivates its students. 

“First of all … faculty do a tremendous job in keeping our students engaged in the classroom,” she said. “Through [the] rest of the campus community, from advising to our dean of students area, we have lots of programming and modes of communicating with our students to be able to keep them engaged in the university.”

Jacqueline Martinez, a UTRGV English literature and cultural studies graduate, believes the faculty were supportive when she was a student.

“I was really happy with the classes I picked and I really enjoyed [having] all of my professors,” Martinez said.

She plans to pursue a master’s degree in library science to become a librarian.

Hinojosa advised students of all ethnicities to stay committed to their education.

“An education is one thing that no one can ever take away from you,” she said. “Once you get that degree, it’s yours. So you have to stay committed and stay resilient. … Stay informed and work hard because that education is key to your personal future as a student and in the future of your family.”