Numerous campus programs are available to support student success as the Fall 2022 semester starts.
Julio Mireles, program coordinator for the Learning Center, detailed services the department offers.
“We offer a variety of tutoring services: liberal arts, history, business tutoring … foreign languages, political science,” Mireles said.
The Learning Center offers tutoring both online through its website and in person in Music, Science & Learning Center Room 2.118 on the Brownsville campus and in Learning Center Building 100 on the Edinburg campus.
Also offered at the Learning Center is peer coaching.
“Peer coaching is not content-based, but skills-based,” Mireles said. “It’s for study strategies, time management, all that stuff that students have been needing more help with recently, especially with online classes. So we do offer help with that test anxiety. Study skills, [we offer] those kinds of things.”
Additionally, the center has study rooms with computers that students can use to print from if necessary.
“Our tutors are very willing to help,” Mireles said. “Our lab is not just for tutoring. If students need a place to study, the area here is a great place to study.
“If they have any questions, if they need anything, we are more than willing to help.”
The grant-sponsored TRiO SSS, or Student Support Services is also housed in Music, Science & Learning Center Room 2.104 on the Brownsville campus.
To use TRiO services, students must be first-generation college students, low-income and/or have a documented disability with the UTRGV Student Accessibility Services Department, according to Aaron Hinojosa, director of special programs for TRiO SSS.
“Some of the services are computer labs … our study place people can utilize,” Hinojosa said. “We also offer workshops, like how to be a better student, how to study better, also social activities. We also have our staff who can help support our students through mentoring sessions or instructional learning.”
The program aims to be a place where students can build a community and find support. It offers a variety of student success coaching, workshops and tutoring at no cost, as per its website.
Students can inquire about eligibility at the program office.
“Anyone can come into our space to ask for more information,” Hinojosa said. “We have some bulletin boards. You can [also] look at our website.”
Another important resource on campus is the Counseling Center, which is located in Student Union Room 2.10 on the Brownsville campus and in University Center Room 109 on the Edinburg campus.
Christopher Albert, director of the Counseling Center, said the option for in-person counseling has resumed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the center provided counseling online.
“When a student is making an appointment, we ask you if you want your session to be online or in person,” Albert said. “We accommodate for your preference.”
Appointments can be made by visiting one of the centers, by email at counseling@utrgv.edu or by calling either campus at 882-3897 in Brownsville or 665-2574 in Edinburg.
Additionally, the Counseling Center offers group therapy for stress management and self-compassion and more, Albert said.
“Our services are free and these are professionals,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about having insurance or anything like that. [Counseling] is confidential. It doesn’t go on your academic record. It’s [a] totally separate system.”
He said no problem is too big or too small.
“If the student just feels they need to talk to someone, that’s enough,” Albert said.
The Counseling Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
