Category Archives: Featured

UTRGV Dance Program Gains National Accreditation

Arts Education Featured News Comments

UTRGV has been granted accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Dance for its dance program, meaning its Dance Department has met the highest standards in providing dance students educational services. The accreditation also means the department officially meets national standards for schools of dance set by professionals and experts in the field. The decision was came from the organization’s commission, which is comprised of elected peer representatives of…

Read More

Quinta Mazatlan Holds 2023 Native Garden Contest

Community Community Events Featured News Comments

Quinta Mazatlan is inviting the public to join them in celebrating Native Plant Month by participating in the Native Garden Contest. People across the Rio Grande Valley may submit entries as a way to encourage and inspire others to use native plants in their spaces, whether in pots, yards or for entire landscaping projects. Anyone who has put effort into adding native plants to their space are welcome to submit…

Read More

RGV Birding Festival Soars Into Harlingen On Nov. 8

e-Brief Features Events Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments
Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival

The 2023 Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival takes place Nov. 8-12 at the Harlingen Convention Center. The event includes 100 field trip offerings to choose from including traditional tours through the parks and new offerings such as private ranches.  Special trips in the field with some of the festival’s featured speakers to further enhance their presentations are also on the schedule. In addition to field trips, the Rio Grande Valley Birding…

Read More

UTRGV Launches Materials Science And Engineering Ph.D.

Education Featured News Comments
Students who will be pursuing a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the launch celebration for the first‐ever PhD program in the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science. (photo Paul Chouy, UTRGV)

The UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science launched its first Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering at an inaugural reception on Sept. 17 at the Ballroom on the Edinburg Campus. University and Valley leaders along with officials from the National Science Foundation were in attendance to usher in the new doctoral program. “This is a momentous and historic event for our College and University,” said Ala R. Qubbaj,…

Read More

MFE Becomes Official UTRGV Vaqueros Airport

Education Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments
MFE/UTRGV partnership

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Department of Intercollegiate Athletics scored a touchdown on Sept. 28 with a new partnership designating the McAllen International Airport as the official airport of the UTRGV Vaqueros. The announcement came during a press conference held at the McAllen International Airport. “We’re all very excited about this new partnership, especially for our student-athletes who will benefit most of all,” said Joaquin “J.J.” Zamora, McAllen…

Read More

LNG Puts Brownsville On Global Map

Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
An artist rendering of the Rio Grande LNG plant under construction at the Port of Brownsville. (Courtesy)

The official word finally came in late June with the announcement that Houston-based NextDecade was building an $18 billion-plus liquefied natural gas plant at the Port of Brownsville. For port executives and community at-large leadership, the announcement was a combination of relief and elation in definitively knowing they overcame all obstacles and last-minute legal challenges. Site work began the same day of the announcement. The dirt started moving on the…

Read More

UTRGV Ranks First In Texas For Value

Education Featured News Comments
(Photo David Pike, UTRGV)

Degreechoices.com has ranked UTRGV highly in several categories, including first among Texas public universities for best relative economic value. Degreechoices.com has also ranked UTRGV third for best colleges in Texas and third in the nation for MSW programs. Additionally, the university ranks fifth for bachelor’s programs in criminal justice. Overall, UTRGV ranks 15th in the nation (seventh among national public schools), just behind Rice. The ranking for value is detailed in an…

Read More

Vice President Represents STC On National Stage

Education Featured News Comments
South Texas College Vice President of Advancement and Economic Development Rodney Rodriguez

South Texas College Vice President of Advancement and Economic Development Rodney Rodriguez is among the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ 2023-2024 HACU Leadership Academy Fellows cohort. HACU’s Leadership academy or La Academia de Liderazgo annually selects 50 fellows from throughout the United States. It is designed to increase diverse representation in executive and senior-level positions in higher education. “I am profoundly honored and incredibly thrilled to have been selected as one…

Read More

Edinburg Chamber Welcomes New Leadership Edinburg Class

Community Featured News Comments
Leadership Edinburg Class XXXV

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Edinburg Steering Committee recently welcomed Leadership Edinburg Class XXXV, a group of 29 individuals poised to take on the transformative leadership program. According to the chamber, the class members have demonstrated their commitment to personal growth and community betterment. The program began on Sept. 7 with a luncheon at 492 BBQ. The event provided the Leadership Edinburg members with an opportunity to network…

Read More

Nursing Student Forges Path With VIDA

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

For Weslaco resident Martha Zuniga, the distance to her destination holds little significance; what matters is reaching it. “The journey can be 1,000 miles away,” Zuniga said, “but you begin with one step.” Zuniga’ journey began in 2008 when she became a certified nursing assistant while in high school. After graduation, she took the next step by becoming a certified medical assistant.  “My parents always said that education is the…

Read More