When the Velazquez family first came to the University of Houston-Victoria in 2019 to drop off their son, Fernando, his little sister America decided this was also the place for her.
“When my brother came, I got a chance to tour some of the campus and area,” America said. “I remember dropping off Ferny and telling my mom, ‘This is the school I want to go to when I graduate high school.’ It’s very homey here.”
Now, all four of the Velazquez siblings are attending UHV. Fernando, who likes to go by “Ferny,” graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and is looking to earn a master’s degree. Jacquelyn, the second-oldest, is a senior studying English, with the goal of teaching English in high school. Most recently, the twins Alexsandra and America came to UHV as freshmen in fall 2023. Alexsandra is studying education and wants to be a secondary history teacher. America is majoring in sports management and aspires to be a photographer for the NFL or MLB.
Although the Velazquez siblings were born in the U.S., they spent part of their early childhood in Mexico before moving to Eagle Pass. Neither of their parents had a strong educational background. Their father had to quit school at a young age to work and support his family, and as an adult, he worked in the oilfield. Their mother finished high school, but never got to attend college. Even though she was in school, she still worked as a migrant in the fields. As an adult, she was a secretary for the local school district.
Although the family was not in financial despair, there were times when money was tight, Jacquelyn said. That led to a different perspective from some of their peers. For example, the siblings knew at an early age that “Santa Claus” was really mom and dad. But even if there were tough times, their parents always worked hard to make sure the children had everything they needed and encouraged them to have a strong work ethic, she said.
“My mom was always such a superhuman to me,” Jacquelyn said. “She was always driving Ferny to football, picking me up and bringing the twins to school for activities. Both of our parents had such a strong work ethic. Everything I do, I go at it with the mindset that I know that whether I fall or fail, my parents are there to help me get back up and recover from my mistakes, not judge me or reprimand me for them.”
From an early age, the siblings’ parents encouraged them to get a good education and pursue careers they loved and not do something just for the money. America remembered a time in high school when her grades began to slip because she was spending so much time at her job.
“My mom told me to quit,” America said. “She said, ‘You don’t need a job. Everything’s going to be OK. You need to focus on your education. I want you to go to college. You need to go to college.’ Hearing her tell me that, I knew it was OK. My parents have always pushed us toward that. I’m very appreciative because that’s gotten us here.”
Ferny remembers being told that no matter what they each chose to pursue, whether it was college, technical school, going straight into work or even joining the military, their parents would always be there to support and help them. When his family dropped him off at the UHV residence hall his freshman year, his father took him aside and made sure he understood that he was responsible for building his own future.
“Something that stuck out to me was what our dad always told me and my sisters,” Ferny said. “When we finish high school, he would say, ‘Now, every decision that you make is for your future and your future kids and wife. Everything you do is going to be for them, so make sure that you’re doing what you need to and that you’re doing your best. Give your all to whatever you set your mind to.’ That’s stuck with me since my freshman year.”
As the oldest sibling, Ferny blazed the trail when it came to choosing a college or university. In the end, the decision came down to scholarships and a campus visit.
“During my senior year of high school, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do, and I didn’t have a job at the time, so I didn’t have much money,” he said. “I always had good grades, but I didn’t have any scholarship offers until I applied at UHV and got the Presidential Scholarship, which covered most of my tuition. Then I came to campus, and I liked the campus, I liked the dorms, so I thought, ‘Yeah, I’ll give this a shot.’”
When Ferny first came to UHV, it took a few weeks for him to begin making friends. Even when his freshman year took a radical turn in the spring of 2020 with the COVID-19 lockdowns and a shift to all online classes, he was able to find and build a good group of friends. In addition, his love for working with and learning about technology led him to pursue a major in computer information systems.
Following in her brother’s footsteps, Jackie joined Ferny at UHV the following year. She likes to say that Ferny was the “trial run” for the rest of the siblings. When she saw how much Ferny enjoyed being at UHV and was able to make friends, even though he tends to be more reserved than her, it gave her a comforting feeling that the university was a good place to be, and making friends in college wouldn’t be as scary as she thought.
“I decided I wanted to join my brother at UHV because we’re a really tight-knit family, and it’s really nerve-racking to be away from our family,” she said. “Just knowing that my brother was going to be here – I might not see him every day because we have different education goals – but I knew I’d always have someone there if I needed anyone, so I ended up here. I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”
Even though she came to the university in the middle of the pandemic, Jackie was able to make friends and grow.
“More than anything, I wasn’t afraid of putting myself out there, because I knew that if Ferny could do it, I could definitely do it,” she said. “I just had to trust in myself and who I was as a person.”
In Fall 2023, Alexsandra and America joined their brother and sister at UHV. After seeing how their siblings had flourished at the university, it seemed like the natural choice. In addition, Alexsandra found Victoria’s size, which is similar to their own hometown, to be comforting.
“Ferny and Jackie were my trial run,” Alexsandra said. “Once I saw that they were doing well and getting the help that some other colleges probably don’t offer, I chose to come here. When I saw how small the town is compared to ours, it’s kind of the same size, so it made me feel like home as well as having my siblings with me.”
In addition to being close to their brother and sister, the twins also were able to profit from their siblings’ previous experience with getting started at college and UHV’s different departments.
“I’m a very anxious person, so I have to prepare myself,” Alexsandra said. “I would ask Jackie about how long it would take to walk between buildings and how much time it would take to ride the shuttle from the dorms to class. Sometimes I had questions they weren’t even able to answer. They helped me out and soothed my anxiety.”
Jackie, committed to ensuring her sisters’ smooth transition to college, offered her support to address all of their concerns. From the biggest of concerns to the smallest questions, including financial aid, academic advising, navigating classes or how to reach out to professors, she tried to answer them all.
Throughout the years that I’ve been here, I’ve been able to meet some incredible people,
Jackie said. “It’s awesome to be able to say, ‘If you go to this person, they’ll have some answers for you. Even if they don’t, they’ll find the person who does. ’ It’s definitely something I was grateful I was able to do for them, especially since our parents didn’t have that background of higher education.”
While Jackie took on a supportive role, Ferny encouraged his sisters to embrace independence, urging them to create their own paths and learn from their experiences.
“I wanted them to get that full experience themselves – have those questions and look for the answers,” he said. “I wanted them to find their own path. I don’t think I gave many tips to them other than to be themselves and make sure that they are making the best of it. I told them their experience here is going to be what they make of it. When it came to them being here and being in school, I wanted them to find their own way and make it.”
Coming to the same university as their older siblings was comforting for Alexsandra and America, but there were moments when it was frustrating to be known by their relatives, they said. However, that same thing helped them feel more at home at UHV. Many of the faculty and staff members knew that the twins were first-generation students because they had already met Ferny and Jackie, and that made it easier for the twins to find assistance.
“At first, I didn’t like that people knew that we were siblings because people would say, ‘Oh, you’re Ferny’s sister. Oh, you’re Jackie’s sister,’” America said. “But then, the more time I spent here and made a name for myself, the more people knew me for me. But they also knew that I had the support of my siblings, which looking back, I’m grateful that they knew me from them. Just them being here makes it easy for me, and I feel like I’m OK here, and here is home now.”
Despite pursuing different majors, the Velazquez siblings remain deeply connected. During his final undergraduate semester at UHV, Ferny shared a “Human Nutrition” class with America. The family also has a group text that they use to stay connected and talk with their parents. But even when they go for a week or more without seeing one another, their bond is still strong.
“One of the greatest things about our bond is that we might not see each other for two weeks, but the second I do see one of my siblings, it’s just like we’d just seen each other yesterday,” Jackie said. “We can always pick up right where we left off and have a tight bond. We have to schedule things sometimes to get us all in the same room together. Regardless of whether we see each other every day or not, we know that we have each other here, and that’s comfort enough.”
As each of the Velazquezes have grown in the past few years and made UHV their home-away-from-home, they’ve found a niche where they can each thrive. Both Jackie and Ferny have worked for UHV Residence Life, serving as resident assistants to help students acclimate to life in the residence halls. Ferny worked as a senior resident assistant for his last two semesters at UHV. He first applied for the position with Jackie’s encouragement because he needed money to pay for school.
“I was a bit nervous at first because I used to be very shy – I’m still kind of shy, but not as much as I used to be,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of Residence Life because it helped me grow as a person and get out of my shell. The job has been very fun. I’ve gotten to meet lots of good people and made friends with people that I think I will know for the rest of my life. It’s been a blessing.”
Jackie has gotten involved in several student leadership roles at UHV in recent years. This past year, she served as director of public relations for the UHV Student Government Association, along with presiding over the First Gen Jaguars student organization. But her proudest accomplishment was being part of the founding group that created UHV’s first sorority. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Jackie and some of her friends decided they wanted to bring a sorority to campus. Collaborating with Hilary Kofron, who was UHV Student Life director at the time, they worked through the process of creating Gamma Alpha Nu, a social service sorority. The sorority focuses on giving back to the community and empowering young women to pursue education and their dreams. Jackie served as the sorority’s president during the 2023-2024 academic year. Alexsandra and America joined when they came to UHV, and America was elected in the spring to be the new vice president.
“When my sisters came to UHV this past fall, I basically told them that they had to attend rush and sign up,” Jackie said. “They played around saying they wouldn’t, but they did join, and I’m really proud of them for getting involved and putting themselves out there. It’s fun to work with them and see how they grow as young leaders and young women. I get to see their energies and their ideas come to life.”
Being a part of Gamma Alpha Nu is a good opportunity for the sisters because it offers them a way to get involved with the community and help others, Alexsandra said.
“I love volunteering and helping the community, and that’s really what Gamma Alpha Nu is about,” she said. “It brings together a group of girls who want to help, and we go and help and make sure that we do our best when it comes to volunteering and helping out the community. Sometimes the community does need it, and we’re happy to be there.”
As she steps into her new role as vice president, America is finding inspiration in future projects and volunteering opportunities.
“I like to see how people will go out there and help the community,” America said. “It’s just beautiful to me. Working alongside my older sister feels nice. I look up to her, and I hope she’ll lead me down a path to one day become the president.”
Outside of Gamma Alpha Nu, Alexsandra and America also have jobs with UHV Student Life to help pay their tuition at UHV. Alexsandra is a student worker and helps set up and run events on campus. America is a student worker in JP’s Market, a food pantry that offers free food and necessities to UHV and Victoria College students.
“It’s something that gives back to the students, which is why I love working there,” America said. “Even when I’m just putting up some water bottles or mac-and-cheese on the shelf, I’m helping out in some way. It makes me feel good.”
On May 11, Ferny graduated from UHV and began the next phase of his life. As he looks back on his time at UHV and how it helped him grow, he is grateful for all the experiences he’s had. Among these experiences, meeting his girlfriend, a German exchange student, stood out, he said. Whether it was spending nights out with friends, going to Riverside Park or even attending late-night study sessions, it all led to who he is today.
“It’s had its ups and downs, but I feel like the ups outweigh the downs,” he said. “I feel like I’m going to take those ups with me and the downs are going to fade away. I’ve made a lot of memories and met a lot of people here that I feel like will be friends long-term. I’ll take all that with me when I look back.”
Jackie plans to graduate in December 2024. As she prepares for the future, she looks back at her time at UHV as an opportunity she might not have gotten anywhere else. From establishing a sorority to being involved in other leadership organizations, she has learned and grown in many exciting ways. In fact, she was asked to deliver the moment of reflection during the Fall 2023 commencement ceremony. That experience was one of many that she will take with her into the future.
I will always cherish the good times and how they helped me power through the tough times,
Jackie said. “The tough times have been learning experiences that helped me become the individual and leader that I am today. I’ve had amazing people by my side to help guide me through those times.”
Jackie also met her significant other at UHV. She and her boyfriend have also been together for two years. They met because of their involvement with the university, and they plan to get an apartment and build a life together after graduation.
Seeing their older siblings leave and go to new places is exciting but a little scary for Alexsandra and America. The family has always been together, so it’s a new experience to strike out on their own and be so far away from each other. But just like their older brother and sister, they look forward to creating memories at UHV that will help them along the way.
“I haven’t had a lot of experience yet, but I feel like I’ll take the memories, and the good ones will stick with me. The bad ones, I’ll use as lessons learned,” Alexsandra said. “Those memories will guide me through life and anything new. It might have been my first day here, but eventually I will have a first day working a new job or a first day in a new town.”
By Lauren Emerson
The day Alaina Aguirre received the keys to her classroom, a whirlwind of thoughts swept over the young teacher’s mind.
Standing in front of the heavy wooden door, flanked by teal-colored walls, she thought about everything that led up to this point, which included her passion for education, but also her apprehension in embarking on a new chapter of her life.
Amidst those thoughts was also a comforting sense of familiarity. The school she was standing in was not only a place where she spent her early years, the room she was about to enter was the exact classroom where she once sat as a second grader.
“I want to be a child’s safe haven;
not all kids are able to have a good home life and to have adults to look up to,” Aguirre said. “I want to be an adult figure in students’ lives that they know they can depend on, no matter the circumstances.”
Like the others before her, Aguirre was one of the students who graduated from the University of Houston-Victoria’s JagsTeach Residency Program.
JagsTeach, launched in 2022, is a transformative teacher education program in which students start their student teaching practicum during the first semester of their senior year before they begin their year-long residency program, said Mary Lasater, associate dean for the UHV College of Education & Health Professions.
The program entails three days of student teaching per week in the first semester, increasing to four days in the second semester, Lasater said. Because UHV has partnered with local school districts, student teachers get a chance to work closely with mentor teachers, engaging in co-teaching and taking on various roles until they progress to team teaching.
“The feedback that we have received from principals and from mentor teachers who work with those students is that the caliber of the teachers we are producing is over the top,” Lasater said. “One of the other bonuses is that our residents right now are paid a stipend by our partner districts by serving as a substitute or providing release time for their mentor teacher to work with other faculty on their campus when they are not student teaching.”
The program’s focus has shifted to fewer school districts to foster stronger relationships with faculty members, Lasater said. Currently, the university has partnered with the Victoria Independent School District and Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. UHV also is in the process of creating a partnership with Bay City Independent School District next fall, Lasater said.
Applicants for the JagsTeach program must be enrolled in the Techer Education Program and actively pursuing their certification in Early Childhood-Grade 6, Grade 4-8, or Grade 7-12 (History, ELAR, Science, or Math). Before starting residency, candidates must pass the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (#160) certification exam and during the first semester of residency, candidates must pass the state Certification TExEs exam relevant to their degree plan. During the second semester, students must pass the Science of Teaching Reading Certification exam #293 (required only for Early Childhood-Grade 6 and Grade 4-8 certifications).
Successes seen from the program are primarily due to the strong relationships the student teachers have already formed with cooperating teachers, and their understanding of school culture through early immersion, Lasater said. Additionally, the extended duration of the program allows for better preparation and lets the students build confidence. Over time, this leads to a better understanding of classroom management and detailed instructions for the success of the students teachers in the classroom.
“Classroom management is a big deal. Our residents really get to know their students are able to implement best practices that make for a well-run classroom and happier students,” Lasater said. “So, this turns out to be a big win for students, as well as a win for the student teachers, the school district and UHV.”
Growing up in Port Lavaca, Aguirre went through Calhoun County’s school district from elementary school all the way to high school. After she graduated from high school, Aguirre said her family sat her down and talked about what she was going to do with her future.
“My family and I sat down, and we thought it was best to stay close to home,
especially with how things were getting expensive, and I didn’t have a job prior to the program,” Aguirre said. “So, I was very fortunate to stay close to home, save up and go to school locally.”
Becoming a teacher was a thought that has crossed her mind since the third grade, she said.
“As a child, I loved the stationary section at Target; that was what got me as a third grader, and I thought, ‘Okay, I could probably work with dry erase markers all day long,’” she said, smiling. “Having that silly thought was what started the teaching idea, but what solidified it was, in the third grade, I was actually tasked with pulling aside two new students, who didn't speak fluent English yet, and simply reading to them. One of the kids who I read to, I remained friends with throughout high school. He reminded me often that I ‘taught him English way back when.’ While I'm not sure if that is exactly what happened, making that impact as a child made me realize I wanted to make that impact for a lifetime."
The journey toward achieving her bachelor's degree wasn’t straightforward, she said. During her time at UHV, Aguirre said she wrestled with the countless avenues she could take with her degree. She knew she wanted to work with children, but at that point, she was not sure which route she wanted to take.
“I pushed myself, but more importantly, my family pushed me while I was in school,” Aguirre said. “Thank goodness for my parents through it all because I ended up finding JagsTeach, and the program quickly became a part of who I would be as a teacher.”
As the clock neared 11 a.m., a group of Aguirre’s second graders began making their way toward the classroom in a neat, single-file line. Stepping inside her classroom, the students were charmed as they were greeted with Aguirre’s Harry Potter-themed classroom, complete with floating electric candles hanging from the ceiling and the famous Platform 9¾ sign that hangs above the doorway. The line of nearly 20 excited students shuffled into the classroom and began to split off into groups of four at their respective tables. With another ring of the morning bell, class was officially in session.
In the spring of 2023, Aguirre graduated with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from UHV and returned to her hometown of Port Lavaca, where she works as a self-contained teacher, meaning she is responsible for teaching subjects which include English/language arts, math, science and social studies. In her first year of teaching, Aguirre was nominated for Teacher of the Year by staff members at HJM Elementary.
“Being in the same school where I was once a student helped me so much to relate to the kids,” Aguirre said. “I’ve sat in this classroom and had to do what they’re doing now.”
To kick off the reading block that Wednesday, Aguire started the lesson plan on strengthening her students’ reading strategies by co-reading a short story and breaking it down by paragraph while analyzing the content. Periodically, hands would fly up in the air, some excited to shout out answers and some needing clarification.
“My teaching philosophy will always be to have a growth mindset, not only for the students but for the teacher as well,” Aguirre said. “The students are young, but I do think no matter the age, accountability is important. When they make mistakes, I hold them accountable, and when I make mistakes, they hold me accountable. Having that respect in our classroom is essential with the growth aspect; we are not afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes are what help us grow and learn.”
Prior to finding the program, Aguirre worked as a substitute teacher. While going through the program, Aguirre was assigned to Victoria and taught at Smith STEM Academy.
“Overall, the JagsTeach program was amazing – the good, bad and the ugly – all of it was amazing,” Aguirre said. “The hardest part of the JagsTeach program was honestly trying to keep myself in the mindset of, ‘Hey, I'm still a student, too, I need to make sure I finish what I started, and finish it well’ So, I just put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed. The program gave me a solid foundation and gave me so much confidence in myself that I was eager to begin my career.”
While going through the program, Aguirre said she was there Monday through Friday almost full-time with her mentor teachers. The close bonds that she developed with her mentor teachers helped her gain a deeper understanding of the roles she would play in the classroom while deepening her love for teaching, she said.
One of the initial hurdles she faced was reconciling her identity as a student with her emerging role as a teacher, she said. The first two weeks of the program were spent shadowing the mentor teachers and seeing how they handled their classrooms, how to set classroom expectations and generally getting a behind-the-scenes look at what needed to be done before students came to class ready to learn.
With the pressure to succeed weighing on her shoulders, Aguirre said she was determined to excel, she said. Following the observation period, Aguirre dove into her academic coursework, where she focused on teaching theories and practical teaching techniques.
Over time, Aguirre’s philosophy of teaching, which is now central to her own classroom, is that it’s OK not to have all the answers right away, and it could be beneficial for educators and students alike to take part in the learning process together, she said.
Looking back, her time in the JagsTeach program has served as a foundation, which she now uses to instill a love for lifelong learning and a passion for empowering her students, she said.
“What keeps me going as a teacher is simply my students,” Aguirre said. “I am truly blessed to have amazing students who all put forth that growth mindset. They are so willing to try and understand things that are difficult for them, and watching these kids put forth their best effort and constantly improve themselves, that’s what keeps me here. In them, I found my identity in teaching.”
UHV International Programs has welcomed students from all over the world to receive an education from our amazing faculty and join our ever-growing family of alumni. Dozens of countries are represented at UHV with degree-seeking students as well as students from study abroad and exchange programs.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, UHV enrolled about 170 international students on F-1 and J-1 visas. Here is a fun question-and-answer session with one of our international student leaders.
Name: Samuel Joe
Age: 21
Country of Origin: Ireland/Nigeria
Major: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Why did you want to study in the U.S.?: The U.S. is well known worldwide as the land of opportunity, and I am very grateful to be here for almost 7 years. I have been enjoying the diversity of Texas, the foods, the networking and most especially the education benefits the U.S. has to offer – especially as a STEM major. I am excited about what the future holds for me, and I am always ready to explore more opportunities in the U.S.
Why did you choose to attend UHV?: Victoria, a small college town 2 hours from any major city in Texas, was a bust at first until I realized how distracting major Texas cities are. UHV is situated in a conducive learning environment to grow and develop. UHV’s small class size benefits students like me because of the one-to-one interactions, connections and networking I can have with the university’s faculty and staff. Lastly, UHV is very diverse with international students on campus sharing their cultures, ideas and perspectives.
What surprised you the most about life in the U.S.?: Diversity in the U.S. is nothing like I have ever seen before. Also, people are so nice in Texas, always saying hello and grinning teeth to teeth. I love it, it makes my day!
What is your favorite thing about studying here?: I love the everyday events, and the staff and faculty are super friendly. I know a lot of them personally.
What took the longest time to get used to?: The roads. Everyone drives too fast and aggressively in the U.S. No one walks, and public transport isn’t really a thing in Victoria. Lastly, everything is so far away.
What do you miss the most about your home country?: My mom and especially her cooking. Also, I am forgetting how to speak my native languages – Igbo and Hausa. I am learning Spanish, though.
What is your favorite memory from studying at UHV?: Having fun at the events and festivals and being able to do all-nighters and come to class or work first thing in the morning seeing smiles on everyone will always be nice. I will always remember the special people who made this chapter of my life so enriching.
What are your goals for the future?: I want to join the workforce and see what the US has to offer me. I want to gain as much experience and learn new things to improve my technical knowledge and skills or go to medical school to dive deeper into the world of sciences. I also want to continue pursuing hobbies like hiking, tourism, and swimming.
During the past year, UHV has celebrated a major milestone: 50 years of offering affordable, quality higher education to Crossroads communities. To mark this achievement, the university dedicated an entire year to celebrations. The first issue of the UHV Magazine was launched, featuring a wide array of articles and content about the history of the university. Now, as we move into Year 51, we’ll review some of the activities, events and other special elements that were part of UHV’s 2023-2024 academic year.
50 Faces of UHV
One of the first events that UHV hosted at the beginning of the academic year was the 50 Faces of UHV exhibit. The university hung up portraits of 50 individuals who have made major impacts on the university and the Victoria community in five buildings across campus – University West, Center, South, North and Commons. Each portrait was accompanied by a card that had a short paragraph of information about the people and organizations that were featured.
The exhibit opened in September 2023 with a campus tour for the people who were featured in the displays. The portraits remained on display throughout the year, and the individuals and groups that were featured are included in a slideshow on the university’s 50th Anniversary website at www.uhv.edu/50.
New Look on Campus
Throughout the year, the campus took on a new look, complete with 50th Anniversary logos on the buildings, a new window wrap on UHV University Commons and even a hand-painted mural.
The mural was an original work by Victoria artist Josh Vega. He painted the mural, which features the word Jaguars in flowing red script as well as some UHV hashtags and keywords. It is placed on the back wall of UHV University South, facing Red River Street, and it was completed on Oct. 16, 2023.
The university also received a large collection of art that is now on display in multiple buildings across campus. The Linda and William Reaves Collection of Texas Art features more than 40 pieces created by Texas artists during the 50-year timespan of UHV’s history. The collection was curated by the Reaves and was donated by them as well as a few pieces donated by Rebecca Lee and Maurice Schmidt, Irma and Dr. Jim Brand, and Kay Betz. The art was curated to include pieces that were created in the region during UHV’s 50-year history. UHV celebrated the donation by hosting the Linda and William Reaves Collection of Texas Art Symposium on Sept. 26, 2023.
Special-Made for UHV
What’s a party without some tasty treats and fun, themed items? UHV’s 50th Anniversary celebration featured some wonderful partnerships with Victoria companies that created limited-edition products for the special occasion.
Sara Vela, owner of Vela Farms, crafted a special jam named Balsamic Fig Preserves, using figs harvested from her family’s farm in Victoria County. Nurtured on her family farm with a history dating back to 1867, Vela utilized hundreds of pounds of figs to create the unique preserve.
John Valdivia, owner of Victoria Coffee Roasters and the Box Coffee Bar, mixed together a special coffee blend for the celebration using beans from Brazil, Peru and Honduras. The finished product offers a full-bodied blend with notes of lemon, caramel and vanilla.
Jeanette Rocha, owner of The Green Cow Creamery, has developed two flavors tailored for the university. “Live on the Wild Side” is an ice cream with a butterscotch base, with brownie bits, swirled in fudge and sprinkled with bits of pecan and butterscotch chips. The ice cream resembles the skin of a jaguar when it is completed in the tub. “Feeling Berry Driven” is a strawberry daiquiri flavored sorbet.
Homecoming & Events
To celebrate UHV’s anniversary, this year’s UHV Homecoming theme was “Spirit of ’73.” During the week of March 18-23, students and alumni celebrated with a variety of activities, including a kick-off party, a powderpuff football game, a block party, a talent show and the President’s Tailgate during the homecoming game at Riverside Stadium. Alumni also were able to attend the annual Alumni Banquet, which featured an awards ceremony naming Diane Kliem the 2024 Distinguished Alumna and Robert Royer the 2024 Young Alumnus of the Year.
Looking Back
At the end of the year, the UHV Marketing & Communications department created a display in the UHV Library that showcased some of the many little things that made up the university’s rich history. UHV: A 50-Year History opened in April 2024 and featured a constantly-expanding collection of donations from current and former UHV students, alumni and employees.
Some of the highlighted items included the Center for Children, which used to offer childcare for the community; UHV Athletics; and technology changes over the years. Additionally, a section of the exhibit honors the influential women who played a significant role in UHV’s growth and development.
In addition to teaching visitors about UHV’s past, the exhibit also offered a way to catalogue and aggregate items that are part of the university’s past so they will be available for future celebrations and for generations to look back and research UHV’s past. It remained open throughout the summer of 2024.
Celebrate With Scholarships
A significant part of the 50th Anniversary celebration was a yearlong initiative to award 50 $1,000 scholarships to students throughout the year. The university awarded the scholarships in five groups of 10. Some of the awards were simple drawings, while others asked students to submit pictures or videos showing their school spirit. Here are all the students who won scholarships during the 50th Anniversary Celebration:
In the town of Portsmouth, a port city nestled on the southern tip of England, a young athlete discovered his passion for soccer at the age of five. Little did he know that his passion would one day take him across the Atlantic Ocean to the University of Houston-Victoria, where he would become a standout player and earn his keep on the Jaguar’s soccer team.
Having spent his life in England, Adam Thompson said soccer came naturally to him, and he eventually developed his skills as a multi-sport athlete who also competed in cricket and rugby. At the age of 16, fueled by the desire to see the world, Thompson made the decision to pursue the idea of coming to America to play soccer on a scholarship.
There was more of an opportunity in America,
Thompson said. “In England, I could have gone to uni and just been at home, but I thought it was a good experience to go and travel to America and play soccer while doing it.”
At the age of 18, the gears were finally in motion to make that happen.
During that period of his life, the young 18-year-old was playing a few showcase games in England when he was made aware by his agent at the time that a school had been noticing his talent as a player. The connection eventually led him to Adrian Rigby, the head coach of the UHV men’s and women’s soccer teams.
“One of the first things coach Rigby told me was we never lose in The Cage, which is our home field. I’ve been here for years, and we still have never lost in The Cage,” Thompson said.
“I’m a big guy for passion. If I’m in something, I’m all in, and UHV sounded like the perfect place I could come in and give it my all.”
Thompson started his first season with the Jaguars in the fall of 2021, all the while trying to adjust to his new home in America.
One of the first things he noticed, or rather, didn’t notice, was the lack of spur-heeled, lasso-slinging cowboys on every corner, a notion made popular by friends and family living in the UK, Thompson said.
A more pressing matter was the tumultuous climate and humidity that comes with South Texas, something he noticed right away as he stepped out of the airport in Austin before making his way to Victoria.
“During my first preseason, we were running, and I looked at Coach Rigby and said, ‘Is it really going to be hot like this every day?’” Thompson said. “I was struggling with the humidity when I got here.”
Despite the new climate, culture and trying to find his place at UHV, Thompson said he had to put it aside and do what he came to do in America.
It was time to get to work.
In 2021, Thompson appeared in 15 games, with seven starts to help the team advance to the Red River Athletic Conference, where they would be crowned champion after defeating LSU Alexandria 3-2.
Mateo Canales, who is Thompson’s roommate and a forward on the soccer team, said Thompson stood out to him immediately as
a person who has passion for the game.
“When I first met Thommo, my first impression was one of strong determination and keen leadership, qualities that have defined him both as a friend and captain,” Canales said. “He always leads by example and through his passion for the game.
On and off the field, he's the kind of teammate you can rely on to give his all and have your back.
The following year, Thompson participated in 17 matches and secured nine starts. He recorded two goals throughout the season, with the inaugural goal in a 2-2 draw against Louisiana Christian on Sept. 24, and the second in a 2-0 victory over Huston-Tillotson the following month. He also achieved a season-high of three shots during a 2-1 win against Oklahoma City. Thompson also serves as the captain of the UHV men’s soccer team, a position he has held since his sophomore year.
"His first semester, as with a lot of international students, was a bit of a roller coaster at times. There were several times throughout the year where we had meetings in my office about him being homesick, but I am glad he stuck to the decision to join us here at UHV,” Rigby said. “Throughout these conversations, I kept believing in his ability to become the leader of others that he was destined to be. As a result, Thommo helped us win conference in 2021 as a freshman and was given the distinction of being named captain here at UHV. Adam made the claim that he would one day be a captain for us here at UHV. His vision came to fruition when he earned the right to be captain his sophomore year.”
As a junior, Thompson is going into his final year and is looking for an internship in the meantime. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology with a concentration in sport management and has an anticipated graduation date of fall 2024. Since stepping off the plane, Thompson said he had not just grown as a person – being a part of UHV’s soccer program has molded him into a player he never thought was possible, he said.
“It was difficult at first adjusting,” Thompson said. “The coaches have helped me a lot. Being a product of Coach Rigby’s efforts –
he has improved me as not just a person, but a player.
I will always be thankful to him for that.”
Thompson has grown familiar with humidity and the dynamic climate of the region. He has made lifelong friends and teammates, and he is still deciding whether to come back to the U.K. or make America his new, long-term home. Despite what the next big step will be, Thomson said one thing is for sure.
“This year, we go again,” Thompson said. “This will be my final ride, and hopefully, we get ourselves another championship.”
By Duy Vu
UHV has been part of the Victoria area for more than 50 years, and we’re looking forward to the next 50 years of growth and development.
The university currently offers more than 50 academic programs in addition to a variety of concentrations and certificate programs. Here are a few of the programs that we are exploring and developing in order to find the best way to serve the needs of our students and our region:
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS:
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HEALTH PROFESSIONS:
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCE:
COLLEGE OF NATURAL & APPLIED SCIENCE:
Hello, UHV Jaguars and all those who have supported UHV throughout the years.
Last year marked UHV’s 50th anniversary, and I am proud to see how the university has made an impact on so many areas of our region and the nation, both as an institution and through the hard work of our alumni. Now, as we press onward, I hope to continue that incredible legacy for many more years to come.
UHV’s primary goals are simple: offer excellent, affordable higher education and serve the needs of the Crossroads region. As you will see in the pages of this year’s UHV Magazine, we are constantly striving to continue that good work and accomplish those goals every day. Whether it’s through training teachers who will educate the next generation of leaders or supporting the educational needs of first-generation students, UHV is here to make a difference.
This year’s magazine is filled with examples of how UHV makes a difference in so many ways. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about a family of four siblings who have all and currently are attending UHV. We also have features about student teachers and one of our student organizations, as well as profiles of both a student-athlete and an international student. In addition, you can a look at the future of UHV with an article about the upcoming Health & Wellness Center and academic programs that are in development. There also is a review of our 50th Anniversary celebration and all the ways that UHV honored those who helped make it a hometown university for the Crossroads.
As you look through the pages of this year’s magazine, I invite you to reflect on the transformative power of higher education in our community. There’s so much we hope to achieve in the coming years, and I hope you will join us in our mission to support students and our community.
Thank you for your interest in UHV and higher education. Your support makes all the difference.
Robert K. Glenn
UHV President
I took FastTrack classes online, which taught me the importance of time management and perseverance. UHV gave me the tools to be successful in my academic and career goals.
- Christy Henry, 2023
The most important thing I learned is I can do hard things! I earned my undergraduate degree in 1994 and had not stepped foot in a classroom for personal reasons for 25 years until I decided to earn my MBA at UHV. Once I decided to start, there was no stopping me, and I did a double concentration during the pandemic while working full time. I started and finished in 15 short months. The professors at UHV pushed me, challenged me, guided me, and showed me that despite many years between my degrees, UHV was there to help me succeed. The MBA from UHV was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career.
- Laura Waits, 2020
I attended UHV from 2009-2012, and it wasn’t always the easiest times. I learned that through perseverance you can achieve your goals. Many of the professors were very understanding and wanted you to succeed in the end. My advisor was also someone who I communicated with a lot during my time in college, and it was just very comforting to have a team of professors and professionals that supported you and encouraged you even if you didn’t get it right the first time. This is something that I continue to instill in the juveniles I work with today as a juvenile probation officer. It’s not gonna be easy, but my time in college taught me to never give up.
- Senae Davidson, 2012
I learned that networking is very important and that learning doesn’t stop when you get your diploma. This was modeled to me by my professors while at UHV.
- Brenda Whitfield, 1998
The most important lesson that I learned by attending actual classes at a local university is the network that you create that will be your support system once you graduate. Another advantage of having a study group while attending is that it helps you learn more than one perspective about the subject matter in your class. The discussions help you retain the materials better as well. The relationships that you develop during college usually become your life-long friendships because you have the shared experience of surviving college together. There's no replacing that.
- Shirley B. Johnson, 1995 and 1998
If I were to sum up what I learned the most, it was confidence to be in front of others to speak and share information. This especially helped me as I started my career in the field of education in 1979.
- James Coburn, 1982
The most important thing I learned while at UHV was to always follow through and complete all tasks and goals. Then success will follow you.
- Alexsys Cole, 2012 and 2016
The most important thing that I learned during my time at UHV was to be who I am and allow myself to be vulnerable. Vulnerability has become one of my favorite words. Vulnerability has offered me freedom and honesty. Although being vulnerable may leave me wide open to “get hurt,” I will take my chances because allowing myself to become vulnerable has brought more positive experiences than negative.
- Jesse Patrick Garcia, 2022