Paulina Longoria | THE RIDER
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was recognized by Excelencia in Education as the No. 1 top institution in Texas that awarded the most bachelor degrees to Hispanics in 2017-2018.
Launched in 2004 in Washington, D.C., Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies and advancing institutional practices, according to its website.
In 2018-2019, UTRGV was recognized as the No. 4 institution in which Hispanics enrolled as undergraduate students in Texas, according to the overview of Latino College Completion in Texas provided by Excelencia in Education.
Ana Peña-Oliva, a lecturer of Hispanic linguistics and undergraduate Spanish program degree specialist, said this recognition speaks well about the university because it is doing everything possible so students can study and take advantage of the opportunities they are being offered.
“I think it’s a very important recognition because as we all know … unfortunately, sometimes Spanish is not given its full value and to Hispanics, therefore … neither,” Peña-Oliva said.
She said as the Spanish program specialist she helps many students who are majoring in Spanish and with the teacher certification.
“For me, it’s important to see that other Hispanic students are accomplishing their dreams,” Peña-Oliva said. “The fact that you have an accent or you may have migrated to the U.S. … it shouldn’t be an obstacle for you to excel.”
The lecturer said she always tries to support students because she believes that is part of her job as a faculty member.
In 2019, UTRGV welcomed 29,113 students, of which 26,019, or 89.4% were Hispanic, according to data reported by the Office of Strategic Analysis and Institutional Reporting, or SAIR.
Daniela Tamayo, a computer science graduate student, is one of those that received their bachelor’s degree at UTRGV. Tamayo graduated in Fall 2018.
Asked how the degree has helped her in her professional career, she replied, “They gave me opportunities to do research … when I started my master’s degree. In my job with the Graduate College … they gave me a position in which I analyze student data.”
Tamayo believes UTRGV gives Hispanics many opportunities. She also said that she has always felt comfortable at the university.
“Even though it’s another country, I literally feel comfortable and familiar,” Tamayo said. “Everyone that isn’t Hispanic … makes you feel like you’re part of the family.”
She said she feels proud of everything she has accomplished being Hispanic.
Ana Vigil, an accounting senior, is expecting to graduate in December.
“It makes me really happy how UTRGV awards a lot of bachelor [degrees] to Hispanics because a lot of people don’t even have the opportunity to even go to college and receive a degree … and how UTRGV does it is really amazing,” Vigil said.
Vigil told The Rider that she feels good about the education she is receiving at the university. She said she has bettered herself since she was a freshman.
“The professors are very good,” she said. “I’m just happy how UTRGV is handling things. Even with online school and with all this pandemic, we can still have class time with our professors and get our education because that’s what’s most important for us, and to graduate.”
Peña-Oliva is affiliated with the UTRGV B3 Institute, which is a universitywide initiative that facilitates UTRGV’s movement to become a bicultural, bilingual and biliterate Hispanic Serving Institution, according to its website.
“A lot of latino students arrive at the university without knowing enough English,” she said. “A way [of] … helping them [is] by teaching classes in Spanish or bilingual so the language is not an obstacle and they can continue with their studies … at least at the beginning while they are learning English.”
“UTRGV is doing a good job not only by admitting students but also in making sure they don’t get stuck in the middle of their path and finish their degrees,” Peña-Oliva said.
To view the overview of Latino College Completion in Texas PDF provided by Excelencia in Education, click here. For more information about Fall 2019 enrollment, click here. The SAIR does not have any data available regarding Fall 2020 enrollment yet.
