Meet Maria “Connie” Consuelo Rangel, a UTRGV Unsung Hero
Text by Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa
Maria "Connie" Consuelo Rangel, administrative associate for the Chief of Staff at the UTRGV School of Medicine, has been a dedicated part of the UTRGV community for nearly 30 years. With three years in her current role and 25 years of service to the university, Connie plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of the School of Medicine, from organizing key events to managing day-to-day tasks.
Known for her love of event planning and her problem-solving skills, Connie's experience has seen her meet influential figures like President Clinton, Michael Dell, and George Lopez, all while helping to build lasting relationships within the UTRGV community. Her decades of dedication and her deep connection to the Rio Grande Valley have made her an invaluable asset to UTRGV’s growth and success.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT UTRGV?
I am an administrative associate; I assist the Chief of Staff at the School of Medicine with various office and managerial tasks.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?
Nearly 30 years – I have worked with the School of Medicine for three years and 25 years with the university.
DESCRIBE YOUR AVERAGE DAY:
As an administrative support associate, I assist the Chief of Staff at the School of Medicine with various clerical and administrative tasks, usually including routine paperwork and communications. I also schedule meetings and gatherings, respond to calls, ensure the proper filing of all documents, and coordinate with different parts of the school as needed to ensure the successful flow of operations. I also help organize and manage events on behalf of the School of Medicine, such as faculty and staff forums and state of the school, among many others.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
I very much enjoy helping people. I like to help where I'm needed, and I enjoy organizing events. I love seeing the beginning and the end of events, but mostly I enjoy being dependable—if somebody needs something immediately, I like that part of my role. I am a problem solver.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY OR STORY ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE?
I have so many favorite memories and stories from my time here. When I was part of External Affairs, I met so many interesting people—from presidents to famous singers and songwriters. I met Michael Dell, both President Clinton and Mrs. Clinton—I even have pictures with them! I also got to meet George Lopez, Mario Lopez, Cheech and Chong, and many others. My time at the university has been just ‘wow.’ Sure, there has been a lot of hard work, but the end results have been what got me through it.
TELL US SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU:
I love event planning. From 1998 to 2008, I helped plan and organize one of our university’s most prominent events—HESTEC. The Hispanic Engineering, Science, and Technology (HESTEC) Program was a nationally recognized model for promoting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers to students of all ages. During this event, I was responsible for all the transportation needs of our HESTEC student visitors, guests, and entertainers. I helped cover everything from transport to parking, and moving to and from various locations within the university. At one point, I even helped manage the transportation of over 3,000 students!
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UTRGV COMMUNITY?
I am a Valley native and have been part of this institution for so long that I have seen how our university has grown and established itself as a pillar of education and innovation for our students and community. I, too, have grown up with this school and have developed lifelong friendships and camaraderie with those I have been fortunate to work with. I have learned the ins and outs of working here, and I am proud to say that I have built a good rapport with many of the different departments at the university, allowing me to better serve my school, students, colleagues, and community.
