2025 News Releases | The Newsroom

UTRGV Student Media awarded fourth TIPA Director’s Cup

Friday, April 25, 2025
UTRGV Student Media competed against nearly 40 colleges and universities recently to win the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s Director’s Cup.

UTRGV to host nation’s largest transportation-focused STEM summer camps

Friday, April 25, 2025
Recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation as one of the largest transportation-related STEM camps in the nation, this hands-on program introduces students to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with a focus on ...

UTRGV presenting free musical performance of 'Into the Woods'

Thursday, April 24, 2025
UTRGV Arts is presenting a musical rendition of some of the most classic Brothers Grimm tales, with scenes from “Into the Woods.”

Suit Up for Success: UTRGV Career Closet is back and better than ever

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The UTRGV Career Closet offers free professional clothing for headshots, interviews, and career events to current students and alumni. Director Kamara Jackson noted that it helps eliminate economic barriers and empowers students during employer ...

UTRGV anthropologist elected president of Texas Association of Biological Anthropologists

Friday, April 18, 2025
Dr. Carina Marques, assistant professor of Anthropology at UTRGV, has been appointed president of the Texas Association of Biological Anthropologists. As a new member, she expressed gratitude, saying, “Being elected president of TABA is ...

‘Carmela Full of Wishes’ wraps up UTRGV’s Theatre season

Friday, April 18, 2025
The UTRGV Theatre for Young Audience (TYA) production is scheduled to run from April 25-27 at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre on the Edinburg Campus, with an additional free special preview on Thursday, April 24. The preview is in support of the ...

Former UTRGV Student Media director inducted into TIPA Hall of Fame

Thursday, April 17, 2025
Azenett Cornejo, a Brownsville native and former director of UTRGV Student Media, is one of two new inductees into the 2025 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Hall of Fame, making her the first from UTRGV to receive this honor.

From the Rio Grande to the national stage: UTRGV Folklórico makes historic fifth run

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
The UTRGV Ballet Folklórico is once again dancing its way into the national conversation. For the fifth time, the UTRGV Dance Program has secured a coveted spot at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) National College Dance ...

Does being bilingual have an impact on children with autism?

Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Dr. Cecilia Montiel-Nava, a professor in the UTRGV Department of Psychological Science, is inviting the community to participate in clinical interviews for her latest study on the social and economic impacts of being bilingual.

Behind the magic: UTRGV health professions student shares role in ensuring safety at Disney

Wednesday, April 09, 2025
Dylan Alvarado, a junior UTRGV College of Health Professions major from Elsa, gained experience working in the healthcare administration while interning with the Disney College Program.

Reducing Job Jitters: UT Health RGV psychiatrist says calming your workplace anxiety can help overall mental health

Wednesday, April 09, 2025
April is National Stress Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact of chronic stress and highlight ways to maintain mental and physical well-being amid daily pressures. Dr. Alcides Amador, board-certified psychiatrist at UT Health RGV and ...

UTRGV’s Erin Easton participates in historic Antarctic research expedition

Tuesday, April 08, 2025
Dr. Erin Easton, an assistant professor in the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, recently returned from another groundbreaking research expedition, this time off the coast of Antarctica in the Bellingshausen Sea.

Checkmate: UTRGV wins fourth national chess championship

Sunday, April 06, 2025
The UTRGV Chess Team rallied on the final day of the President’s Cup to claim their fourth national championship in seven years. With seven points, UTRGV finished tied with Webster University, and both teams were named co-champions.

UTRGV honored at Texas Capitol ahead of 10-year anniversary

Thursday, April 03, 2025
On Thursday, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) received an early birthday gift from the Texas Legislature, which passed a resolution honoring the university’s upcoming 10th anniversary.

UTRGV’s Orozco-Leonhardt receives 2024 SME Faculty Advisor Award

Wednesday, April 02, 2025
When Dr. Edna Orozco-Leonhardt first stepped into her classroom at UTRGV, she envisioned a space where aspiring engineers could turn academic experiences into pathways for advanced manufacturing careers and groundbreaking research. That vision ...

FROM ROOK TO KING: UTRGV’S Bartek Macieja brings lifetime of moves to the game board

Wednesday, April 02, 2025
Bartek Macieja, chess coach at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley since 2012, has led the UTRGV Chess Team to three consecutive national championships, and seven state titles. This year again, the team placed first at the Pan American ...

UTRGV Chess Team aims for fourth national title at President's Cup

Tuesday, April 01, 2025
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Chess Team is set to compete in the upcoming President’s Cup, seeking their fourth national title.

‘We’re making history’ UTRGV Dance Team prepares for first national competition

Friday, March 28, 2025
The 16 UTRGV students who make up the team will head to the American Dance/Drill Team Collegiate Dance Competition on Saturday, March 29, at the University of North Texas in Denton.

Capturing motion to improve mobility

Monday, March 24, 2025
There’s more to gait, or the pattern of walking, than meets the eye. The UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine (SOPM) has established a 16-camera studio-style lab to capture the data behind each step.

‘Match Madness’

Friday, March 21, 2025
UTRGV School of Medicine’ students took part in the monumental “Match Day” on March 21.

UTRGV, Georgia Tech launch $2.8M AI research partnership

Friday, March 21, 2025
UTRGV has been awarded a $2.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation under the ExpandAI Program to lead a new partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology’s AI Institute for Advances in Optimization.

“I can see clearly now…” UTRGV expert highlights the importance of eye exams for lifelong vision health

Wednesday, March 19, 2025
March is Save Your Vision Month, a reminder that eye health is just as important as heart health, mental well-being and other aspects of overall wellness.

Dr. Michael Hocker departing UTRGV for Executive Dean role at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Tuesday, March 18, 2025
UTRGV announced Tuesday the departure of Michael Hocker, MD, MHS, Dean of the School of Medicine and Senior Vice President of UT Health RGV.

Game On: UTRGV business students gear up for Spurs Career Day

Tuesday, March 18, 2025
UTRGV students will have the chance to take their shot at success and gain valuable experience at the second Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship Spurs Career Day.

UTRGV’s Dr. Teresa Feria-Arroyo honored with prestigious AAHHE award for student mentoring in STEM

Monday, March 17, 2025
Dr. Teresa Patricia Feria-Arroyo, a distinguished faculty member at UTRGV, continues to make waves in the academic community with her recent national recognition. Honored by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE), she ...

UTRGV School of Medicine to celebrate students ‘matching’ to medical residencies on Match Day 2025

Monday, March 17, 2025
‘Match Madness’ will celebrate 50 UTRGV School of Medicine students from the Class of 2025 participating in the school’s sixth annual Match Day event.

UTRGV marks a decade of milestones, partners with City of Brownsville on ‘Task Force of the Future’

Sunday, March 16, 2025
Building on a decade of student success, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the City of Brownsville have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint Task Force of the Future.

Dr. Liliana Rivera Sandoval makes history as UTRGV’s first Cottrell Scholar

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Dr. Liliana Rivera Sandoval, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, has made history as the first faculty member from UTRGV to be named a Cottrell Scholar by the Research Corporation for Science ...

UT Health RGV surgical oncologist explains life-saving importance of early screening

Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in Texas and the U.S. for both men and women. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, an estimated 12,763 Texans were diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year, with 4,588 ...

Spring Break Safety: UTRGV to host awareness event on drinking and driving

Monday, March 10, 2025
UTRGV and community organizations are collaborating to host the “Spring Break Safety: No Refusal Awareness” event on March 12, at the UTRGV Campus in Edinburg.

Explore your future at the UTRGV Graduate Fair

Friday, March 07, 2025
If you are considering going back to school or changing careers, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers two opportunities to explore a variety of master’s and doctoral degree options at its Graduate Fair.

Modern Spin on a Classic: "Romeo and Juliet" at UTRGV

Tuesday, March 04, 2025
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Department of Theatre will present a fresh interpretation of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" from March 7-9. Directed by Professor Brian Warren this adaptation infuses a contemporary twist ...

UTRGV CHAPS’s Underground Railroad research brings “Walking to Freedom” event to the Valley

Friday, February 28, 2025
Representatives from the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center in Cambridge, Maryland, have reached out to CHAPS to help organize the Rio Grande Valley’s first “Walking the Southern Roads to Freedom” event. Scheduled for ...

FESTIBA 2025 to highlight youth talent at annual Mariachi Festival

Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will come alive with young mariachi groups from across the region during the annual Mariachi Festival, a vibrant celebration of youth talent and cultural heritage as part of the Festival of International ...

UTRGV researchers turn aloe vera waste into natural insecticide

Monday, February 24, 2025
Researchers at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley have discovered a groundbreaking use for aloe vera peels, transforming this discarded agricultural waste into a natural insecticide that could benefit farmers worldwide.

UTRGV invests over $60 million to strengthen academic infrastructure in Cameron County

Thursday, February 20, 2025
On Thursday the Board of Regents approved two significant UTRGV projects aimed at fostering regional growth: a $39 million repair and renovation of the Brownsville Visual Arts Complex, formerly the Longoria Elementary School, to accommodate the ...

Dive into the arts at FESTIBA

Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Join The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in celebrating creativity at the annual Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) from Feb. 20 to March 2, where art, literature and music come together. This year's theme, "Life ...

UTRGV Center for Latin American Arts presents Spanish American art roundtable at IMAS

Tuesday, February 18, 2025
The UTRGV Center for Latin American Arts invites art enthusiasts and community members to a special roundtable event to discuss the historical, cultural and contemporary significance of Spanish American artwork.

UTRGV professor appointed to board of NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium

Friday, February 14, 2025
Dr. Eloi Camprubi, assistant professor of Astrobiology at UTRGV’s School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC). His two-year term ...

Chronicles of a Broken Heart: How the heart-brain connections impact health and well-being

Friday, February 14, 2025
Dr. Mario Gil, an associate professor of Neurosciences and Psychology at the UTRGV Department of Psychological Science and School of Medicine Institute of Neuroscience, and his team have identified a region in the midbrain called the Ventral ...

UTRGV School of Medicine hosts international conference to address cancer health disparities

Thursday, February 13, 2025
The UTRGV School of Medicine will host the 3rd International Conference on Cancer Health Disparities and its 8th Annual Research Symposium. The event will unite national and international experts in cancer research, medical professionals and ...

High school students shine at UTRGV’s Regional Science Bowl

Thursday, February 13, 2025
In a thrilling game-show style tournament, more than 100 students from 18 high schools tested their math and science knowledge at the annual Regional Science Bowl held at UTRGV. Claiming victory was W.B. Ray High School from Corpus Christi, which ...

‘There’s so much more to discover’

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
When Dr. Erin Easton, an assistant professor with the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, first opened the email congratulating her on winning The Explorers Club Citation of Merit, she was aboard a Schmidt Ocean Institute ...

UTRGV students to rate Super Bowl ads in USA Today’s Ad Meter competition

Friday, February 07, 2025
This Super Bowl LIX, UTRGV students will share their insights on commercials as part of USA Today’s 37th annual Ad Meter competition.

UTRGV brings global insights on Alzheimer’s Disease to community

Friday, February 07, 2025
Experts from the UTRGV School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, and institutions in Italy, Nigeria and Florida presented this research-backed information to more than 350 members of the South Texas community at the free event “Memory and ...

High school students gear up for Regional Science Bowl, eye national championship in D.C.

Thursday, February 06, 2025
High school students from across the region are gearing up for a competition that could earn them a spot in the National Science Bowl (NSB) in Washington, D.C., this April. They will first battle it out at the Regional Science Bowl this Saturday, ...

Elevating Healthcare: Advancements and aspirations at the UTRGV School of Medicine

Wednesday, February 05, 2025
As we continue through 2025, the UTRGV School of Medicine is building on its momentum and advancing its mission to transform healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley.

UTRGV alumnus combats childhood obesity through innovative literacy project

Tuesday, February 04, 2025
UTRGV alumnus David Ceron, writing under the pen name David Norec, is thrilled to see his book, ‘‘The Adventures of Exo and Cy,” available at Barnes & Noble and other retailers. More importantly, he’s excited that ...

The Language of Parrots: Professor Karl Berg’s groundbreaking research on vocal learning

Monday, February 03, 2025
Led by Dr. Karl Berg, associate professor in the UTRGV School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, this research not only illuminates the complex vocal abilities of these parrots but also draws intriguing parallels to human language ...

Get ready for UTRGV’s Dye Hard Orange 5k

Friday, January 31, 2025
Prepare for a splash of color and a spirit of fun at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's Dye Hard Orange 5K on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Harlingen. Hosted by University Recreation (UREC), the third annual race will begin at the Harlingen ...

Enroll Now: UTRGV introduces new online MS in Marketing degree this fall

Tuesday, January 28, 2025
The Master of Science in Marketing is an online program designed to give students advanced analytical marketing skills and hands-on experience to launch a career in one of marketing’s many fast-growing fields.

UTRGV School of Medicine hosts community event to promote awareness and prevention of cervical cancer

Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Cervical cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Unfortunately, the Rio Grande Valley has the highest incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer in the U.S., where the disease remains one of the leading causes of ...

UTRGV School of Medicine cancer researcher explains importance of preventive care to one of RGV’s most common cancers

Monday, January 27, 2025
– Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, yet it is almost entirely preventable through vaccination and early detection.

Global Insights on Alzheimer’s Disease: UTRGV brings international research to “Memory & Heart Connections” event

Monday, January 27, 2025
International speakers will present transformative research to enhance the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and their families at UTRGV’s second annual “Memory and Heart ...

THECB greenlights UTRGV’s new School of Optometry and Doctor of Optometry degree

Friday, January 24, 2025
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has officially endorsed The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s proposal to launch a new School of Optometry and a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. UTRGV anticipates welcoming its ...

UTRGV’s Feria, Qubbaj receive prestigious Presidential Mentoring Award

Friday, January 24, 2025
Dr. Teresa “Paty” Feria Arroyo and Dr. Ala Qubbaj never set out to win a national award; they simply wanted to help more students discover opportunities in the fields of science and engineering. Their dedication has earned each of ...

UTRGV starts Spring 2025 semester with record enrollment despite weather delay

Friday, January 24, 2025
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley officially kicked off its Spring 2025 semester with a record-breaking enrollment of more than 31,500 students on Wednesday. Despite severe weather conditions that forced the university to halt operations ...

UTRGV School of Medicine team reveal breakthrough in cancer cell survival

Wednesday, January 22, 2025
The fight against cancer is making strides globally, but some of the most important breakthroughs are happening locally in the Rio Grande Valley. At the UTRGV School of Medicine’s South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, Dr. ...

UTRGV names new Liberal Arts dean

Friday, January 17, 2025
Dr. Jose Dávila-Montes, professor of Translation and Interpreting in the UTRGV Department of Writing and Language Studies, has been named dean of the College of Liberal Arts, effective Jan.1.

UTRGV and Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen forge $9.7 million partnership to transform rail safety and workforce development

Friday, January 17, 2025
Students at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will significantly impact the rail industry and help reduce train derailments, thanks to a groundbreaking $9.7 million research partnership with the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), ...