Author Archives: VBR

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley plans to offer a new graduate program – a master of science degree in biomedical engineering – starting Fall 2023, as part of the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science. The program has received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Biomedical engineering is a multidisciplinary field…

VIDA Receives $350,000 Texas Talent Connection Grant

December 28, 2022

VBR

News Comments

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is a Texas Talent Connection Grant recipient for a second time in a row to continue enhancing employment opportunities and promoting workforce development across the RGV. The $350,000 grant project will provide VIDA the opportunity to lead a continuation of the successful outcomes and deliverables from Texas Talent Connection Grant year one, in which 440 underserved residents were provided student support services to pursue…

McAllen ISD Director Tapped To Address Food Insecurity

December 27, 2022

VBR

News Comments

McAllen ISD’s highly successful meals program is about to become a subject of study for other schools nationwide. Alexandra Molina, McAllen ISD’s executive director of Child Nutrition and Purchasing, will be sharing the district’s model. She is one of just 12 nationwide members, and the only one from Texas, chosen to serve with a leading champion of food insecurity – No Kid Hungry. The group is called the No Kid…

Villalobos Becomes UTRGV’S First AMS Fellow

December 26, 2022

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

Associate dean for the UTRGV College of Sciences Cristina Villalobos has been elected Fellow of the American Mathematical Society “for contributions to modelling and optimization and for broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in mathematics.” Villalobos, who is also a Myles and Sylvia Aaronson endowed professor in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, becomes the first UTRGV faculty member to be named an AMS fellow. “It is an honor to have…

UTRGV SOM Signs MOU With Valley Grande Institute

December 21, 2022

VBR

Education Healthcare News Comments

The UTRGV School of Medicine recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies to strengthen the pipeline between the two institutions in training allied health professionals. The program will prepare students to be part of healthcare teams by exposing them to clinical procedures under the direct supervision of UTRGV faculty or staff. This includes UT Health RGV clinical nurse educators and staff registered nurses. “The…

Brownsville ISD Teacher Receives Prestigious Award

December 19, 2022

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments

Alma Salazar, an English teacher at Faulk Middle School in Brownsville, is one of 15 recipients of a 2022 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award. Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. and former Humanities Texas board member Manuel Medrano presented Salazar with her award during the Brownsville ISD board meeting at on Dec. 13. Salazar also received a $5,000 cash award with an additional $1,000 for Faulk Middle School to purchase…

Pharr Police Department Increases Patrols

December 17, 2022

VBR

Featured Government News Comments

As the holiday season continues, the Pharr Police Department wants to remind the public to take extra precautions behind the wheel. Increased patrols are now in effect through Jan. 1, 2023. Pharr Police officers will be on the lookout for speeding violations, traffic safety laws, seatbelts, drunk drivers and other violations. The Pharr Police Department encourages the public to find safe ways home, including designating a sober driver. According to…

Wreaths Across America Honors Veterans

December 15, 2022

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

Dec. 17 is National Wreaths Across America Day, a national event to remember, honor and teach about our nation’s veterans with the laying of wreaths at more than 3,400 cemeteries throughout the United States. This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will lay wreaths throughout the Valley. Wreath sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are still available. Participating groups/locations are Old City Cemetery in Brownsville, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in…

UTRGV Educator Prep Receives National Recognition

December 15, 2022

VBR

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

UTRGV is one of 55 providers from 28 states and the United Arab Emirates to receive accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation for its Educator Preparation Program. UTRGV offers a university-based teacher preparation curriculum and graduate degrees designed to produce exemplary educators. National accreditation was earned for the teacher preparation programs, for the Master of Arts in School Psychology and for the Superintendent Certification programs. CAEP…

McAllen Chamber Collecting Sports Balls

December 14, 2022

VBR

Community Events Featured Giving Back News Comments

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is promoting health and wellness this holiday season by collecting soccer balls, basketballs and footballs. All donations will go to the Capable Kid’s Foundation and McAllen Boys & Girls Club. Individuals and businesses can attribute to the goal of 100 soccer balls, 100 basketballs and 50 footballs. The chamber will match all donations up to $1,250 to help accomplish this feat for the holiday season.…