Kevin Alexander Valverde
Name: Kevin Alexander Valverde
Age: 26
Major: Bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a teacher certification from UTeach
Class: Senior
College: College of Sciences
Hometown: Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico
High School: Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey Campus Tampico Sede Matamoros
Why UTRGV?
I didn’t want to move far from my family and still wanted to see my culture wherever I went. That is what UTRGV offered me—a chance to get a top-notch education while still experiencing my Mexican culture and roots in the place where I’m earning my degree. Some other universities along the U.S. border might offer the same, but nothing compares to the Tex-Mex mix between the Rio Grande Valley in the U.S. Southeast and the Mexican Northeast from Matamoros.
What made you decide on your current major?
While in high school, I did community service at a local elementary school. All the students in the community service chose the subjects they wanted to teach, and I chose math. I loved teaching those kids’ math, even if it was for only a couple of hours. Then, in my freshman year, I decided to start an Engineering degree, but as time went by, I didn’t feel like it was right for me. Right before my senior year, I changed my major to math with a concentration in 7-12 math teaching. After my first semester, which was full of observation hours at an elementary school in Brownsville, I knew I was in the right place.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
I want to be able to prepare future generations in the subject I’m an expert in. I would also like to further my education so that I can prepare them even better, as I know I can do.
What do you like most about UTRGV?
I really like the diversity and the celebration of my culture. I’ve had professors from Nepal, Iran, Russia, Poland, and more. That’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
It’s a pride that I will carry proudly for the rest of my life. It has shaped me in ways I never thought it could, and it’s preparing me for a future where we can make a difference in our community.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
UTRGV helped me realize I was on the wrong path for what I wanted. Sure, engineering is a great degree, but it’s not what I truly wanted. It wasn’t until I heard some friends in a calculus class mention how they did observation hours in an elementary school and another in a middle school, and how they interacted with and taught the students, that I knew I was on the wrong path. That realization directed me to the right one, and I don’t regret changing my major because now I feel like I’m doing something I really enjoy.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing their degrees?
Be organized. Organization is something always mentioned as advice before and during the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, but it’s so important that people often brush it under the rug. Also, don’t leave anything until the last moment. Finally, always carry a water bottle and stay hydrated.