Throughout my undergraduate years, I have made connections, nurtured new friendships and connected with several mentors and advisors, who, in their best abilities, enabled me a successful and memorable journey.”Born and raised in a small farming community in Bhutan, Yeshey is the first in her family to attend college. A co-founder of the UTEP Civil Rights Timeline Project and a campaign ambassador for a Texas congressman, Aguirre’s position as a legislative assistant in the UTEP Student Government Association and employment as an undergraduate assistant at UTEP’s President’s Office introduced him to the Law School Preparation Institute (LSPI) in the Patti and Paul Yetter Center for Law. “Develop great relationships with your professor and look up to junior and senior students for advice. PASE, a financial aid program for Mexican students, grants a tuition discount to participants so they can pay the same tuition as residents of the state of Texas.“From the beginning, UTEP Provided me with a community of students, faculty, and staff who were truly committed to helping me succeed,” Sandra said.Sandra found her niche in the College of Business Administration, studying accounting as part of the first generation of students to take part in the Prudential Risk Management Academy. We are here to break barriers, not to build them.”Tania has indeed broken barriers. Courthouse and a full tuition scholarship from Notre Dame Law School. Seniors who are spring graduation candidates and winter graduates are evaluated in all areas of their academic careers at UTEP. I want to emphasize how incredibly supportive so many students, faculty, and staff have been throughout my journey, and I cannot thank them enough for helping me achieve this honor!”As a Hispanic woman with family both in El Paso and in Juarez, Jozelyn Rascon grew up thinking that her future would be bound by set limits that she believed society had in place for women, and especially women in her culture. And, she is proud to have worked long and hard enough to have earned and saved enough money to buy a car for her mother and provide her brother with some “pocket cash” for his own college pursuits in the United States.”But, that is not all Yeshey is proud of. For some, like Ruben Aguirre, the path may be shrouded in darkness, seemingly impossible to find because of financial hardship and extenuating family circumstances.For Ruben, however, Fate was there to illuminate the way. Recipients of this honor display strong adherence to community engagement, steadfast perseverance, and a commitment to the advancement of not only themselves, but their peers as well. And, she recommends the same for all students.“The biggest piece of advice I can give is to GET INVOLVED,” Bryn advised. But, she also understands the reason behind doing so, excited by the chance to still celebrate with family and friends in the fall and reflective about why she can celebrate at all.“The greatest thing that I have gained from this honor is a profound feeling of gratitude,” Nohemi said.
From childhood, it was clear to Bryn Ireland Birdwell that a career in education was not a contingency plan, but her true calling. “I developed personally and professionally through my academic and extracurricular experiences, and I want more students to be out there representing UTEP and living unique experiences,” she said.As an institution that supports historically underrepresented individuals, Sandra Navarette revered the progressive academic and cultural dynamic at UTEP. Photos: University Communications They describe his academic record as a manifestation of not only Marlon’s “raw intellectual power” but also as a reflection of his relentless pursuit of excellence. Both opportunities have given Nohemi insight into not only the logistics of leadership, they have also shown her the importance of accountability. “These are unprecedented times which call for our society to listen to our public health officials, stay home, and follow all measures prescribed to us,” he said. This award recognizes students that approach opposition with hope and passion to turn challenges into opportunities, embodying the spirit of a UTEP Miner.“One of the most rewarding projects for the UTEP Alumni Association each year is the selection of UTEP's Top 10 Seniors,” said Maribel Villalva, assistant vice president for UTEP “Sadly, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we were not able to celebrate these seniors in person with the traditional Top 10 Seniors Banquet, but we have been so impressed by the strength and resolve of these seniors, all of whom stressed the importance of family during this time.