CommunitiesENGAGING

2014

EIntroduction Message 3 The Engaged Campus 4

Highlights

Overview 6 Engagement Data 7

Profiles

Engagement by College 13 Arts, Humanities & Liberal Arts 14 Business 16 Education 18 Engineering & Computer Science 20 Social & Behavioral Sciences 21 Health 22 Math, Sciences & Technology 24

Partners

Our Partners 26

Table ofContents

20

Profiles

Engagement by College 13 Arts, Humanities & Liberal Arts 14 Business 16 Education 18 Engineering & Computer Science 20 Social & Behavioral Sciences 21 Health 22 Math, Sciences & Technology 24

Message

Dear Colleagues & Partners,We are proud to present ENGAGING COMMUNITIES 2014, highlighting the notable work occurring across both UTPA and UTB campuses. The purpose of this annual report is to recognize faculty, staff, and student excellence in community engagement while demonstrating our commitment to sustainable community partnerships. This publication begins with a chronology of key milestones that have advanced the goal of institutionalizing community engagement at each campus. It follows with segments featuring general data, profiles of engagement, and a special recognition of key community partners.

Although the level of activity reported is truly outstanding, interactions with the community clearly stretch much wider than the scope of this report. We acknowledge that the universities contributions to our students and society are much greater than was possible to capture through this exercise.

Over the course of history, UTPA and UTB have charted unique pathways building the formal infrastructure that supports community-based teaching, learning, and research. Collectively, these pathways have become the foundation for an institutional culture and identity that aligns community engagement as a principle element of UTRGVs core mission.

We thank all who have joined in our efforts to improve academic and professional outcomes for our students, to strengthen faculty scholarship, and to enhance the universities capacity for service.

William Fannin, Ph.D. UTB President Ad Interim

Havidn Rodrguez, Ph.D. UTPA President Ad Interim

Our Road to Institutionalizing Engagement

...Intentionally connect faculty, staff, students, and external partners in ways that enhance teaching and research while helping revitalize our community.

...Engage the campus communities through service learning, volunteering, and community- based scholarship in teaching and research, adding new knowledge to our community and to the academy.

...Engage the community at-large in collaborative initiatives that build social capital and encourage civic participation.

...Emphasize community engagement through their activities and their definition of scholarship.

by Creating Campuses that...

200

1

201

0Center for Civic Engagementestablished to connect faculty, sta, students, and external community.

Kids Voting USA-Brownsvillefounded to teach the basics of responsible citizenship in a free society, implemented in K-12 schools.

The University of Texas-Pan American The University of Texas at Brownsville

2013 Outreach & Community

Partnerships established as the centralized coordinating unit for engagement campus-wide.

2011 Task Force assessed and proposed campus-wide

engagement strategies.

2012 e Engaged University strategic plan established community

engagement as a top institutional priority.

200

8 Task Force leads Carnegie Foundation engaged university application process.

Carnegie Foundation classication obtained recognizing institutionalized community engagement, outreach and partnerships.

201

2

e Presidents Honor Roll recognition earned for exceptional community service in higher education.

INTR

OD

UCTIO

N

2015

2014 Policyrecognizing engaged

scholarship in faculty rules and responsibilities adopted by faculty senate.

UTRGV Working Groups establish community engagement as a key component of new university mission. 20

14

Engaging Communities Report

Faculty Fellows appointed to help facilitate implementation of the Engaged University Strategic plan.

Title V Grantobtained to advance experiential learning and faculty development.

collectively features engagement work across the campuses.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

ExecutiveSummary

Overview

Methodology

The Center for Civic Engagement joined the Office of Outreach and Community Partnerships to compile and publish this annual report on engagement. Simultaneously using an innovative system to record 2013-14 engagement activity on both campuses, an exciting picture of widespread and long-standing engagement emerged.

Although the level of activity reported is truly outstanding, interactions with the community clearly stretch much wider than the scope of this report. We acknowledge that the universities contributions to our students and society are much greater than was possible to capture through this exercise - Campus Leadership.

A survey tool was designed with input from a vast number of faculty and staff involved in engagement work. It was first administered at UTPA in 2013 to document community engagement activity for the 2012-13 academic year. Given the current state of transition to UTRGV, the survey was administered simultaneously at UTPA and UTB in September 2014, to obtain data for the 2013-14 academic year from both campuses. Over 490 faculty & Staff responded to the survey.

The data obtained was analyzed in a variety of ways to inform both campuses independently and collectively. The results are presented jointly in the HIGHLIGHTS section of this report, to provide a general overview of activities and to present a snapshot of the great work taking place.

Team

Staff Faculty Advisors

CRISTINA TREJO-VASQUEZ, LMSW ETHEL CANTU, MA

DANIKA BROWN, PHD

Community Engagement Liaison, UTPA Associate VPAA-Student Success, UTB

Associate Professor/Director of UR&SL, UTPA

JOSE GUTIERREZ, PHD

ARMANDO GALVAN-CRUCES

ESTELA MARTINEZ

LINDA MATTHEWS, PHD

Faculty Fellow, UTPA

Data Management Specialist, UTPA

Coordinator, Center for Civic Engagement, UTB

Professor, UTPA

JAVIER KYPUROS, PHD

Associate Dean/Professor, UTPA

JOHN COOK, PHD Associate Professor/Chair, UTB

KARIN LEWIS, PHD Assistant Professor, UTB

Serving The Rio Grande Valley

96%

4%

Yes No

Survey results indicate that the largest concentration of community engagement (ninety-six percent) takes place in the Rio Grande Valley. Only four percent report working outside of the Rio Grande Valley region.

Engagement in Colonias

25%Reaching communities in economically distressed areas is of utmost importance to our institutions of higher education. Evidence of local commitment is depicted by one-fourth (twenty-five percent) of the initiatives reporting work with the colonias of the Rio Grande Valley.

Engagement Data

Alamo

Brownsville

Donna

Edinburg

Harlingen

La Joya

Linn

Lyford

McAllen

Mission

Pharr

Port Isabel

Elsa

S. Padre Island

Weslaco

Cities within the Rio Grande Valley where university-community partnerships exist.

20

HIG

HLI

GH

TS

Student Engagement

Yes: No:

89%

Does it engage students?High-impact practices that engage students, faculty, and external partners in experiential learning transform students and communities. Most of the initiatives (eight-nine percent) report the involvement of students in community engagement effforts.

Does the initiative take place on campus?

Almost half of the initiatives (forty-seven percent) take place off campus and in the community.

Yes No

47%53%

How does it engage students?

Engagement Location

3%

6%

7%

9%

37%

38%

Non-paid Internship

Direct Wage Student Employment

Paid Internship

Other

Experiential Student Learning

Student Involvement (extracurricular: non-credit/volunteer)

(curricular/co-curricular)

11%

20

Community Input

Do you measure or assess the impact of engagement with the community?Over one-half (Fifty-three percent) of the respondents report measuring the impact of the engaged work conducted. Yes No

53%

Do you use your assessment for continuous improvement/development of your program?Typ

Of those who report measuring some type of program assessment, most (ninety-three percent) use the results for continuous improvement. Yes No

93%

Assessment

Students Faculty StaInstitutionalCommunity Other

46%What impact of engagement is measured?The impact on community is most commonly measured (forty-six percent), followed by impact on students (thirty-six percent).

Do you obtain community input?An engaged university works in partnership with the community. The majority of the initiatives (sixty-seven percent) report obtaining community input in the planning and implementation of their work.

37%

Feedback Need Assessment Advisory CommitteeOther

4%

34%26% What type of community input do

you obtain?Community needs assessment is the most prevalent method for obtaining input, followed by general feedback and advisory committee participation.

67%33%

No Yes

37%

36%

4%

8%3%

7%

Dear Colleagues & Partners,We are proud to present ENGAGING COMMUNITIES 2014, highlighting the notable work occurring across both UTPA and UTB campuses. The purpose of this annual report is to recognize faculty, staff, and student excellence in community engagement while demonstrating our commitment to sustainable community partnerships. This publication begins with a chronology of key milestones that have advanced the goal of institutionalizing community engagement at each campus. It follows with segments featuring general data, profiles of engagement, and a special recognition of key community partners.

Although the level of activity reported is truly outstanding, interactions with the community clearly stretch much wider than the scope of this report. We acknowledge that the universities contributions to our students and society are much greater than was possible to capture through this exercise.

Over the course of history, UTPA and UTB have charted unique pathways building the formal infrastructure that supports community-based teaching, learning, and research. Collectively, these pathways have become the foundation for an institutional culture and identity that aligns community engagement as a principle element of UTRGVs core mission.

We thank all who have joined in our efforts to improve academic and professional outcomes for our students, to strengthen faculty scholarship, and to enhance the universities capacity for service.

3%

Target, Type & Focus

What type of activity BEST describes the COMMUNITY ENGAGED aspect of the program/initiative

What is the PRIMARY target AUDIENCE?

2%3%

4%4%4%

6%6%

9%10%

11%11%

13%14%

Tutoring/Mentoring ProgramStudent Recruitment

Clinical ServiceYouth Summer Programs

OtherServing on a Board

College Access/ReadinessCertificate Programs

Creative/Cultural ActivityService Learning Course

Engaged ResearchConference/Lecture Series

Consulting/Training

3%

6%

6%

10%

12%

22%

40%

Public Sector/Government

Non-profit Community

Private Sector/Business

Adult Learners

Parents/Teachers

K-12 Students

The Community-at-Large

Funding Source

Fund Raisers

Private Donations

12%

7%

What is the PRIMARY focus of the initiative?Primary Focus of engagement varies greatly. The most common responses (thirty-five percent) report that the primary focus is K-16 Education, followed by Health and Wellness (twenty-six percent).

35%

Please indicate budget funding source(s)? The majority of funding dedicated to engagement activities was provided by external sources (eighty-seven percent). The remaining (thirteen percent) indicate university funds as the source supporting community engagement efforts.

Business/EconomicDevelopmentK-16 Education

Health and Wellness

Culture/Art

Sustainability

Other

15%11%

4%

9%

26%

SponsoredProject/Grant

42%

ProgramIncomeProgramIncome

20%

University Funds

13%

Other6%

The Center for Civic Engagement and The Office of Undergraduate Research & Service Learning assist faculty with the integration of experiential learning by supporting and facilitating service and community-based activities. In 2014, 51 faculty documented their courses as having a service learning component. In those courses, more than 3,666 students completed more than 36,000 service hours as part of their coursework, contributing more than $842K to the local economy.

Outreach

Service Learning

Student Involvement

1342 The Office of Student Involvement engages students in meaningful actionat 9 major

student involvement

events

VOLUNTEER +HOURS

Summer CAMPS

CE Summer HousingMUSEUpward BoundTX PREP

UCA

STEP

S C

am

ps

Aq

uatic

sUT

CRS

Ca

mp

s

RGV Summer Science InternshipEXXONmobile

W S

occe

r

Futu

re

Leg

end

s SA

MDP GAMES Camp

Sum

me

r Yo

uth

Ac

tivity

C

am

p

NSFSTEPSTISDSTEM Camp

Migrant BRIDGE Camp

K-12 students participate in one of

32 summer programs

3000

K-12

Athletes in the Community

Student athletes participate in

experiences that shape them into

future leaders

300+Hours

at 100+ Community

Events

More than 200 students presented 76 exhibits highlighting community service in partnership with local community organizations.

3,666+ students 36,000

workcourse service hours

$842K+ dollar equivalent in

service learning hours*

Outreach

*The Independent Sector Organization estimates the value of a volunteer hour in the state of Texas as $23.40

12%

24%

32%

32%

The University of Texas at Brownsville

The University of Texas-Pan American

6%

9%

9%

15%

16%

21%

25%

College of Engineering & Computer Science

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

College of Business Administration

College of Arts and Humanities

College of Health Sciences & Human Services

College of Science & Mathematics

College of Education

A small sample of engaged teaching and scholarship emerging from the UTPA and UTB campuses is featured in The Profiles of Engagement section. Almost eighty percent of the data collected for this report was provided by the Division of Academic Affairs, indicative of a clear commitment to the core values of an engaged institution. Colleges at both campuses are designing exceptional opportunities for university-community partnerships that involve learning, careful reflection, and sustained impact for both the campus community and the community at large.

Engagement by College

PRO

FILE

S

*The Independent Sector Organization estimates the value of a volunteer hour in the state of Texas as $23.40

Arts, Humanities, and Liberal Arts

CHAPS: Native American Peoples of South Texas Project

A multidisciplinary team of professors from Physics & Geology, History & Philosophy, and Sociology & Anthropology, are working with local area K-12 teachers to utilize regional traits, customs, and natural resources to teach students lessons in history, physics, geology, and biology. Participating schools receive ongoing technical assistance to enhance the learning experience. An undergraduate student partnered with faculty to co-author a chapter in the book that became part of the traveling trunk, a tool for teachers to use in the classroom. Faculty scholarly work related to this initiative has been published in the Journal of Texas Archeology and History and in Lithic Technology.

Russell Kent SkowronekHistory & Philosophy, UTPA

Animal Shelter ProjectsLouis Falk, Communications, UTB

Art StudiosCarlos Gomez, Art, UTB

Association for Medical SpanishAnne Marie Stachura, Modern Languages & Literature, UTPA

BFA Spring PixolutionLeila Hernandez, Art, UTPA

Bilingual Story HourAmy Weimer, Psychology, UTPA

Bullying AwarenessJohn Cook, Communications, UTB

Coalition Against Violence &ExploitationHistory & Philosophy, UTB

Charles & Dorothy ClarkGallery Exhibits, Art, UTPA

Career & Faith Speaking SeriesMarcela Hebbard, English, UTPA

CHAPS: RGV Civil War TrailChristopher Miller, History & Philosophy, UTPA

Dance PerformancesMusic & Dance, UTPA

Dicult Dialogs John Cook, Communications, UTB

Fall Gallery ReadingLiterary Arts Journal, English, UTPA

FESTIBAMulti-divisional, UTPA

Freedom in the CommunityCory Wimberly, History and Philosophy UTPA

History DayHistory & Philosophy, UTPA

Introduction to EthicsAlexander Stehn, History & Philosophy, UTPA

Knowing MexicoIrving Walter Levinson, History & Philosophy, UTPA

Light It Up BlueJohn Cook, Communications, UTB

Main Stage Theatre Production, Communication, UTPA

Media Campaigns for Non-protsChristopher Carmona, English, UTB

Medical Brigade NicaraguaAnne Marie Stachura, Languages & Literature, UTPA

Arts, Humanities, and Liberal Arts

Brownsville B-SMART Orchestra:

The B- SMART (String Musician Artist Retention and Training) Orchestra is the very FIRST community string orchestra in Brownsville. The goal is to enrich the community through the orchestra string experience. Its mission is accomplished through the community concert series, public rehearsals, educational outreach, internship programs, and much more. Students in Applied Music worked in collaboration with The Brownsville SMART Orchestra and provided string instruction to students, 4th-8th grade.

Martha PlaceresMusic, UTB

Medical Spanish Film SeriesHistory & Philosophy, UTPA

Mexican American StudiesHistory & Philosophy, UTPA

Multimedia StorytellingRegine Pellicer, English, UTPA

Music ConcertsDance & Music, UTPA

News Media RelationsSheraf Rehman, Communications, UTB

Pan American Collaboration for Ethics History & Philosophy, UTPA

Pltica & Writing Workshops English, UTPA

Political Forum: Candidates & IssuesJohn Cook, Communications, UTB

Reading Rock StarsSteven Schneider, English, UTPA

Rio Grande Valley Civil War TrailChristopher Miller, History, UTPA

Shakespeare Brownsville Literacy Mimosa Stephenson, English, UTB

STUDIO ProductionsCommunications, UTPA

The Master of Fine Arts ExhibitionArt, UTPA

The Plays the Thing:Reading ShakespeareBrian J. Warren & Jennifer Saxton, UTPA

Theatre for Young Audiences Communications, UTPA

Symphony Orchestra ConcertsMusic & Dance, UTPA

Visiting Artists SeriesArt, UTPA

Vocal Technique WorkshopsDavid Sadlier, Music & Dance UTPA

Voter Registration & EducationMark Kaswan & Ruth Ragland, Government, UTB

VSO Luncheon: Public RadioAndrs Amado, Music & Dance ,UTPA

World Toilet DayKaron Jahn, Communications, UTB

World Water DayKaron Jahn, Communications, UTB

Writers Live at UTBChristopher Carmona, English, UTB

Writing for Environmental IssuesPamela Herring, English, UTB

Business

James BoudreauEconomics & Finance, UTPA

BEDESJorge Vidal, Economics& Finance, UTPA

Better Business BureauEthics Award ConsultationReto Felix & Mohammadali Zolfagharian, Marketing, UTPA

Border Briefs Publication, Center for Border Economic StudiesSalvador Contreras,Economics & Finance, UTPA

Brand Strategy CourseSharon Schembri,Marketing, UTPA

Business & Society CourseMaria Leonard,Management, UTPA

Business Appreciation Breakfast Honoring Business LeadersSchool of Business, UTB

Educational Representative Texas State Society of CPAsJohn Darcy, Accounting& Business Law, UTPA

Entrepreneurship & Commercialization CenterEconomic Development and Community Service, UTB

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Border Colonias StudyMarie T. Mora,Economics & Finance, UTPA

Financial Literacy ChallengeTerrance Martin,Economics & Finance, UTPA

UTPA students won first place in the Up to Us national contest to raise awareness about the national debt, sponsored by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative. According to the contest organizers, the UTPA team stood out from the very beginning, as their initial proposal emphasized getting the message out not just to their campus community, but also to the local community at large. The crowing accomplishment was a play called The Debt Ultimatum, which they created with the help of several UTPA theater majors.

UP to US

Predatory Lending Workshops

Students in Business Law prepared and presented in Spanish three Predatory Lending Workshops for the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville. The workshops educated the public about the risks and costs of using many of the easy but expensive sources for obtaining cash.

FIRE SymposiumSteven Lovell,Economics & Finance, UTPA

Inequality for All: Film Screeningand Panel DiscussionLinda M Matthews,Management, UTPA KnifeGlider Marketing PlanXiaojing Sheng,Marketing, UTPA

Management Consulting ProjectMarvin Lovett, Marketing and Management, UTB

Marketing Promotional Projectfor Local BusinessesTimothy Butler,Marketing and Management, UTB

Marketing Service PackageCharles Lackey,Marketing and Management, UTB

Marketing Strategy CourseSharon Schembri,Marketing, UTPA

New Venture Creation WorkshopPablo Rhi-Perez, Management, Marketing and International Business, UTB

Striving Towards Educational Pathways: IDEAs Summer Learning Opportunity CampsJohn Sargent and Maria Leonard,Management, UTPA

VITA Tax Preparation ProgramLinda G. Acevedo,Accounting & Business Law, UTPA

Winter Texan ResearchPenny Simpson,Marketing, UTPA

Mark BlakemoreBusiness Law, UTB

Education

Joy EsquierdoCurriculum and Instruction, UTPA

Accessibility EvaluationsMary Curtis, Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, UTB

After School Tutorialsin Cameron ParkJaime Garcia, Educational Psychology & Leadership; Leslie Jones, Teaching, Learning, and Innovation; Karin Lewis, Educational Psychology & Leadership;; Brendan OConnor, Teaching, Learning, and Innovation; Vejoya Viren, Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, UTB

Autism Summer CampJohn Lowdermilk, Educational Psychology, UTPA

Bilingual Story HourAmy Weimer, Psychology , UTPA

Center for Bilingual Studies, Francisco Guajardo, Educational Leadership, UTPA

Center for Rural Strategies, Francisco Guajardo, Educational Leadership, UTPA

Child and Adolescent Therapy Practicum CourseNancy P. Razo,Educational Psychology, UTPA

Childrens Educational Workshops at Housing Authority, UTBJaime Garcia, Educational Psychology & Leadership; Leslie Jones, Teaching, Learning, and Innovation; Karin Lewis, Educational Psychology & Leadership; Brendan OConnor, Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, UTB

College of EducationTeacher of the YearJulie Pecina, EducationalPsychology, UTPA

Early Care EarlyChildhood ConferenceJulie Pecina, EducationalPsychology, UTPA

Early Care EarlyEducation ConferenceHilda Medrano, Curriculum & Instruction, UTPA

Family Recreational GameDay for Individuals withVisual ImpairmentsZasha Romero, Health &Kinesiology; Julie Pecina,Educational Psychology, UTPA

Since 2013, the Center for Bilingual Studies (CBS) at UTPA and the Bilingual/ESL Department of McAllen ISD partnered to effectively implement dual language enrichment education in the elementary schools. Faculty affiliated with CBS worked with the administrative staff and elementary teachers at McAllen ISD to build a mentorship structure that provided support to expand the dual language enrichment program and build local capacity. McAllen ISD projects that by 2015-2016, all elementary schools in the district will implement dual language instruction.

McAllen ISD Dual Language Initiative

Community Play Day: Early Childhood Education

Education

Friendship Dance forExceptional StudentsZasha Romero, Health &Kinesiology, UTPA

Health and KinesiologyFriendship DanceJulie Pecina, EducationalPsychology, UTPA

Llano Grande CenterFrancisco Guajardo,Educational Leadership, UTPA

Mission Possible - Taichi forHispanics SeniorsLin Wang, Health & Kinesiology, UTPA

Oce of Field Experiences Enhanced Partnerships with La Joya ISDAlcione Ostorga, Curriculum & Instruction, UTPA

Professional DevelopmentLecture SeriesJanine Schall, Curriculum& Instruction; Julie Pecina,Educational Psychology, UTPA

Project PSJAFrancisco Guajardo, Educational Leadership, UTPA

Read 3 Family Literacy Classesfor Parents & PreschoolersCarmen Garcia-Caceres, Language, Literacy & Inter-cultural Studies, UTB

Sharyland High StudentScience Research ClubTim Sears, Mathematics, UTPA

Special Ocelots Summer CampMary Curtis, Educational, Psychology, and Leadership, UTB

STEM Lecture SeriesAlex Filippenko & Julie Pecina, UTPA

Teacher of the Year CeremonyVelma Menchaca, Educational Leadership, UTPA

Team MARIO Fun FridaysJulie Pecina, EducationalPsychology, UTPA

The Hidalgo CountyChild Welfare BoardMaria R. Gonzales, UTPA

Torneo de OrtograaJose Agustin Ruiz-Escalante, Curriculum & Instruction, UTPA

Students in The Environment and Early Childhood course planned, implemented and evaluated a Community Play Day at Gladys Porter Zoo in collaboration with parents and five community partners. The focus was on fostering bilingual emergent literacy in alternative learning spaces involving parents and community.

Georgianna DuarteTeaching, Learning and Innovation, UTB

Jorge VidalCivil Engineering, UTPA

Center of Excellencein STEM EducationCristina Villalobos, Mathematics, UTPA

Middle School SummerRobotics CampWilliam Berg, Engineering and Computational Science, UTB

MOST History VisitmakerWendy Lawrence Fowler, UTPA

North American Advanced Manufacturing Research & Education Initiative (NAAMREI), UTPA

Railway Summer Camp(3rd Thru 8th Grade)Center for Railway Safety, UTPA

Research Experiences for TeachersCenter for Railway Safety, UTPA

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)Center for Railway Safety, UTPA

Texas ManufacturingAssistance CenterHenry Oh, UTPA

UTPA Solar Facilities ToursJaime Ramos, UTPA

Engineering & Computer SciencesComputer-Aided Design for Texas HHSC Regional Facilities

Jorge VidalCivil Engineering, UTPA

STEMS goal is to promote Science and Engineering education to students from South Texas. The event aims to increase high school students interest in Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics through activities where they can learn new concepts, broaden their horizons, and have fun at the same time.

STEMS Competition

Javier GarciaChemistry & Environmental Sciences, UTB

A group of advanced Civil Engineering Graphics students, under the direction of a faculty member, assisted the Texas Health and Human Services Commission by drafting and entering most of their regional facilities into CAD. The HHSC extended students a chance to intern with them to further develop their facilities database, building students work portfolio, improving their resumes, and increasing the chances for better professional opportunities.

After School Tutorials &Homeless Shelter AssistanceManuel Medrano, History, UTB

Bilingual Story HourAmy Weimer, UTPA

Court Monitoring with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)Mario Davila, Criminal Justice, UTB

Cultural Signicance ofDia de los MuertosLeslie Meyer, Sociology, UTB

Historical Museums ProjectsJames Mills, History, UTB

Identifying Increased Risk of Diabetes in RGV Children onAtypical Anti-psychotic DrugsFred Ernst, UTPA

Municipal Court CommunityService ProjectMario Davila, Criminal Justice, UTB

Native American Peoplesof South TexasRussell K. Skowronek, UTPA

One Day in the LowerRio Grande ValleyLynn Vincentnathan, UTPA

Pharr Smart Policing InitiativeS. George Vincentnathan, UTPA

Point in Time Homeless CensusSherry McCullough,Behavioral Sciences, UTB

RGV Contamination ProjectLynn Vincentnathan, UTPA

Rio Grande Valley Civil War TrailChristopher Miller, UTPA

Solutions to County Budget DecitEspiridion Borrego, UTPA

Stress Reduction WorkshopGrant Benham, UTPA

The Pulse of the ValleyJessica Lavariega-Monforti, Political Science, UTPA

Social & Behavioral Sciences

In an effort to inform residents about a hazardous contaminated plume found under approximately 33 acres of McAllen, a team of UTPA students and faculty from the Departments of Anthropology & Criminal Justice and Environmental Crime & Justice reached out to the community. They conducted ethnographic interviews, held community gatherings, canvased affected neighborhoods and organized forums on campus to increase awareness.

Lynn VincentnathanSociology & Anthropology, UTPA

Students in General Psychology receive training in disaster relief with the American Red Cross, and are then able to serve as disaster relief volunteers locally and nationally.

Red Cross Hurricane Action Team (HAT)

William DavisBehavioral Sciences, UTB

RGV Contamination Project

Health Sciences & Human Services

Over 1,000 community members from Peitas, a colonia located nearly 20 miles west of UTPA, filled the hallways of Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School for the 12th annual health fair. UTPA nursing students provided flu shots, glucose screenings, pharmaceutical aid, height and weight checks, eye exams, all at no cost to the people who attended the fair. A six week planning and implementation process involved students choosing a community and assessing its health care needs. The community needs assessment included a windshield survey along with home visits. We have stats that we collect, so thats how we build the community health fair, based on their needs, not based on what I think, said UTPA faculty and health fair coordinator, We observe, they tell us, we combine and we build it.

Nancy NadeauNursing, UTPA

7th Annual"Welcome Back Parents Fair" Shirley A. Wells, UTPA

Aordable Healthcare Act Presentation with Migrant Health Promotion AdvocatesBryan Smith, UTPA

Backpack AwarenessShirley A. Wells, UTPA

COHSHS Preceptors ReceptionBryan Smith, UTPA

Community CNE ConferenceNancy Nadeau, UTPA

Community HealthInformation SeriesLydia Aguilera, UTPA

Community Health WorkshopsAva Miller, Nursing;Sally Roach, Nursing, UTB

Complementary Pathsto Mind-Body-SpiritNancy Nadeau, Nursing, UTPA

Community Health Education and Promotion (CHEP) Bi-Monthly Outings at Local Flea MarketsShawn Saladin, UTPA

Creating Healthy Eating Choices for Kids (CHECK) InitiativeLilia A. Fuentes, UTPA

Diabetes RegistryDoreen Garza, BorderHealth Oce, UTPA

Educational Web ModulesHealth DisparitiesScholars Program, UTB

BSN Community Health Fair 2014: Planting The Seeds of Health

Students in the Human Genetics & Medical Genomics course compiled and distributed diabetes information pamphlets for area neighborhoods at a Wellness event held in Brownsville. Students discussed diabetes risk factors, prevention through diet and lifestyle modifications, and familial risk with the community members.

Family Genome & Diabetes Project

Saraswathy NairBiomedical Sciences, UTB

HESTEC Community Film Screening - "Diabetesville, USA: Lessons from the Front-lines of the Diabetes Epidemic"John Ronnau, UTPA

Humanitarian NeedSupply DeliveriesJohn Ronnau, UTPA

Inter-professional Education and Practice Grand Rounds SessionAudrey Jones, UTPA

MBRS RISE Research DaysBiomedical Sciences andHealth Professions, UTB

MORE Health @ UTPACommunity DayCollege of Health Sciences andHuman Services, UTPA

Operation Lone Star 2014Shawn Saladin, UTPA

Recovery UnlimitedCommunity Services ProjectChuck Reid, UTPA

Region One Boy's at Health Sciences DayBryan Smith, UTPA

Research Update: Nursingworkforce issues and their eecton patient/client healthNancy Nadeau, UTPA

Risk Assessment for Type 2Diabetes in ChildrenDoreen Garza, BorderHealth Oce, UTPA

Sacred Heart Catholic Church - McAllen: Refugee/ImmigrantMobile Health Clinic, UTPA

Vidas Sanas - Las Consequencias de la Obesidad en el Valle Del Rio GrandeDoreen Garza, BorderHealth Oce, UTPA

2014 High School Math ContestDambaru Bhatta, UTPA

American Cancer Society's Relayfor Life of the Upper-ValleyMission & Advocacy CommitteeTim Sears, UTPA

Arecibo Remote CommandCenter (AARC) ProgramFredrick Jenet, Physics andAstronomy, UTB

Astronomy in the ParkPhysics and Astronomy, UTB

Better PostersZen Faulkes, UTPA

Boy Scouts of America RGV CampAmanda Hernandez, UTPA

Brownsville Pilot CurbsideRecycling ProjectJude Benavides, Chemistry andEnvironmental Sciences, UTB

Center for Gravitational WaveAstronomy Science FestivalPhysics and Astronomy, UTB

College Prep Mathematics CourseVirgil U. Pierce, UTPA

Curricular development,Experiential Learning, Networking,and Access to Agroecology (CENA)Alexis Racelis, UTPA

Experimental Algebra& Geometry Lab Aaron T. Wilson, UTPA

Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley andLower Laguna MadreRobert J. Edwards, UTPA

Floating Classroom onthe M/V KarmaRichard Kline, Biological Sciences, UTB

GEL Middle GradesScience ProgramZen Faulkes, UTPA

HESTEC Community DayUTeach Outreach EventTim Sears, UTPA

HHMI Teacher Training InitiativeJohn Trant and Joanne Rampersad, UTPA

Howard Hughes Medical InstituteHigh School Summer InternshipJohn Trant and JoanneRampersad, UTPA

Intel International Science &Engineering Fair Advisory CouncilTim Sears, UTPA

Mathematical OlympiadsCompetition for Middle and High School StudentsMathematics, UTB

Science & Mathematics

Alex RacelisAgroecology, UTPA

The first phase of construction for UTPA's campus garden and greenhouse was completed during the summer of 2014. The research and teaching components have already begun with the Agroecology Lab and Dr. Racelis' Agroecology class. The garden includes the 7,500 sq ft of land fully equipped with irrigation, access to the toolshed, and a shade house, all adjacent to UTPA's state-of-the-art greenhouse equipped with a waterwall, sprinklers, and fans ensuring optimum temperature.

UTPA Community Garden

Betsy PriceCenter for Teaching

& Learning, UTB

Science & Mathematics

Mole Day High SchoolChemistry CompetitionArnulfo Mar, Chemistry andEnvironmental Sciences, UTB

Monday Night PhysicsPhysics and Astronomy, UTB

Oceanarium at Gladys Porter ZooDavid Hicks, Biological Sciences, UTB

Online Homework for High SchoolMathematics in South TexasVirgil U. Peirce, UTPA

Physics CircusPhysics and Astronomy, UTB

Presentation at the Conference forthe Advancement of ScienceTeaching, Houston, TXTim Sears, UTPA

Real ScientistsZen Faulkes, UTPA

Resaca Dredging andRestoration ProgramJude Benavides, Chemistry andEnvironmental Sciences, UTB

Restoration Ecology at BahiaGrande, Resaca de la Palma, andLaguna AtascosaAlejandro Fierro Cabo, Biological Sciences, UTB

Rio Grande Valley RegionalScience and Engineering FairJavier Garcia, South TexasEngineering Math and Science, UTB

Sharyland High School StudentScience Research ClubTim Sears, UTPA

STEM training for Texas RegionalCollaborative Teachers, forMathematics Teachers,Virgil U. Pierce, UTPA

Story Telling of aSedimentary Rock ActivityRuben A. Mazariegos, UTPA

Subtropical Organic AgricultureResearch Partnership Alexis Racelis, UTPA

Texas Association of FutureEducators' ConferenceTim Sears, UTPA

Tree Campus USAAlexis Racelis, UTPA

UTeach Recruitmentat UTPA BroncFestTim Sears, UTPA

UTPA Mobile LaboratoryScience Education ModulesJohn Trant and Joanne Rampersad, UTPA

World Birding Center PresentationZen Faulkes, UTPA

Students in Physical Science for Educators participated in Super Science Saturday by providing interactive educational activities for visitors of the Children's Museum of Brownsville.

Super Science Saturday

Betsy PriceCenter for Teaching

& Learning, UTB

Projecto Juan Diego

Proyecto Azteca

PSJA ISD

Public Schools-Migrant Counselors

Region One

Resaca de la Palma

RGV Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

RGV School Districts and private schools

RGV Tourism Coop

RGVD Association Board

RGV-Focus

Rio Grande Valley Council of Boy Scouts

Rio Grande Valley Public Radio 88 FM

Rio Grande Valley Regional Science & Engineering Fair

Rio South Texas Economic Council

Roma Economic Development Corporation

Rotary Club of Historic Browns-ville

Sabal Palms Sanctuary

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Salvation Army

San Benito ISD

Science Teachers Association of Texas

Sea Turtle Inc

Singleterry Elementary School

Society for Science and the Public

Sonoma Housing

South Padre Island Birding and

Nature Center

South Padre Island EDC

South Texas Behavioral Health Center

South Texas College

South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Organization

South Texas Literacy Coalition

State Farm Insurance

Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration SAHMSA

Teaching and Mentoring Communities (TMC)

Team MARIO

Team McAllen Cycling

TerraPreta Farms

Texas A&M Agrilife Extentsion

Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service

Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impair-ments (TAPVI)

Texas Association of Future Educators

Texas Book Festival

Texas Department of Agriculture

Texas Department of Emergency Management

Texas Department of State Health Services

Texas Forest Service

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Texas Parks

Texas Regional Technology Fund

Texas Southmost College

Texas State Society of CPAs

Texas-Mexico Border CoalitionThe Brownsville Herald

The Children's Museum of Brownsville

The Hidalgo County Health Department

The Museum of South Texas History

The National Center for Appropriate Technology

The RGV Catholic Ministries

The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio

The Up to Us Competition

Tropical Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization

United Way

University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Valley Baptist Hospital

Valley Nature Center

Valley Symphony Orchestra

Valley Telephone Cooperative

Veteran's Administration

Walgreens

Walmart

Wells Fargo

Weslaco ISD

Winter Texan Times

Workforce Solutions

World Birding Center

Yahweh Farms

Abdulkarim Erabti

American Cancer Society

ARISE

BBVA Compass

BETA high school

Better Business Bureau

Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg

Brownsville Children's Museum

Brownsville Community Improve-ment Corporation

Brownsville Convention and Visitors Bureau

Brownsville Historical Association

Brownsville ISD

Brownsville Kiddie Health Center

Brownsville Literacy Center

Brownsville Mitte Cultural District

Brownsville Museum of Fine Art

Brownsville Parks and Recreation

Brownsville Public Utilities

Cameron County Mental Health Task Force

Camille Players, Inc.

Camille Playhouse

Campus Suicide Prevention Program

Capital One Bank

Casa Hogar M.A.M.I. (Ministerio de Amor y Misericordia)

Center for Rural Strategies

Children and Family Protective Services

Children's Museum of Brownsville

City of Edinburg

City of McAllen

City of Pharr

County Election Commission

Department of Commerce

Donna ISD

Dustin Sekula Memorial Library

Easter Seals

Edcouch-Elsa ISD

Edinburg ISD

El Hueso de Fraile

Fiesta Marathon Inc

Food Bank

Friendship of Women

Gladys Porter Zoo

Harlingen Museum

Healthy Communities Brownsville

Hidalgo County

Hilltop Gardens

Historic Brownsville Museum

Holy Family Church

IDEA public schools ISD

Ignite Public Schools

Intel Foundation

Internal Revenue Service

International Museum of Art and Science

Jacksonville City School System

La Feria ISD

La Joya ISD

LakeShore, Scholastic School District

Llano Grande Center

Lyford Elementary School

Maquiladora Association of Matamoros

McAllen Chamber of Commerce

McAllen Cross Roads Senior Center

McAllen Express Transit MET

McAllen ISD

Migrant Health Promotion

Miradas de Esperanza

Mission Buttery Center

Mission Regional Hospitial

Moody Clinic

Mr. Samuel Shipp

Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Port Isabel

National Center for Appropriate Technology

National Hispanic Professional Organization

National Parks Service Palo Alto Battleeld

National Science Foundation

New Mexico State University

One Day in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Palm Valley Church

Palo Alto National Battleeld

Pharr Police Department

Pharr Public Works

Pharr-San Juan Independent School District

Pi Omicron Chapter Sigma Theta Tau

Plantation Produce, Mission TX

Port Isabel EDC

Our Partners

Projecto Juan Diego

Proyecto Azteca

PSJA ISD

Public Schools-Migrant Counselors

Region One

Resaca de la Palma

RGV Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

RGV School Districts and private schools

RGV Tourism Coop

RGVD Association Board

RGV-Focus

Rio Grande Valley Council of Boy Scouts

Rio Grande Valley Public Radio 88 FM

Rio Grande Valley Regional Science & Engineering Fair

Rio South Texas Economic Council

Roma Economic Development Corporation

Rotary Club of Historic Browns-ville

Sabal Palms Sanctuary

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Salvation Army

San Benito ISD

Science Teachers Association of Texas

Sea Turtle Inc

Singleterry Elementary School

Society for Science and the Public

Sonoma Housing

South Padre Island Birding and

Nature Center

South Padre Island EDC

South Texas Behavioral Health Center

South Texas College

South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Organization

South Texas Literacy Coalition

State Farm Insurance

Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration SAHMSA

Teaching and Mentoring Communities (TMC)

Team MARIO

Team McAllen Cycling

TerraPreta Farms

Texas A&M Agrilife Extentsion

Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service

Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impair-ments (TAPVI)

Texas Association of Future Educators

Texas Book Festival

Texas Department of Agriculture

Texas Department of Emergency Management

Texas Department of State Health Services

Texas Forest Service

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Texas Parks

Texas Regional Technology Fund

Texas Southmost College

Texas State Society of CPAs

Texas-Mexico Border CoalitionThe Brownsville Herald

The Children's Museum of Brownsville

The Hidalgo County Health Department

The Museum of South Texas History

The National Center for Appropriate Technology

The RGV Catholic Ministries

The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio

The Up to Us Competition

Tropical Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization

United Way

University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Valley Baptist Hospital

Valley Nature Center

Valley Symphony Orchestra

Valley Telephone Cooperative

Veteran's Administration

Walgreens

Walmart

Wells Fargo

Weslaco ISD

Winter Texan Times

Workforce Solutions

World Birding Center

Yahweh Farms

Abdulkarim Erabti

American Cancer Society

ARISE

BBVA Compass

BETA high school

Better Business Bureau

Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg

Brownsville Children's Museum

Brownsville Community Improve-ment Corporation

Brownsville Convention and Visitors Bureau

Brownsville Historical Association

Brownsville ISD

Brownsville Kiddie Health Center

Brownsville Literacy Center

Brownsville Mitte Cultural District

Brownsville Museum of Fine Art

Brownsville Parks and Recreation

Brownsville Public Utilities

Cameron County Mental Health Task Force

Camille Players, Inc.

Camille Playhouse

Campus Suicide Prevention Program

Capital One Bank

Casa Hogar M.A.M.I. (Ministerio de Amor y Misericordia)

Center for Rural Strategies

Children and Family Protective Services

Children's Museum of Brownsville

City of Edinburg

City of McAllen

City of Pharr

County Election Commission

Department of Commerce

Donna ISD

Dustin Sekula Memorial Library

Easter Seals

Edcouch-Elsa ISD

Edinburg ISD

El Hueso de Fraile

Fiesta Marathon Inc

Food Bank

Friendship of Women

Gladys Porter Zoo

Harlingen Museum

Healthy Communities Brownsville

Hidalgo County

Hilltop Gardens

Historic Brownsville Museum

Holy Family Church

IDEA public schools ISD

Ignite Public Schools

Intel Foundation

Internal Revenue Service

International Museum of Art and Science

Jacksonville City School System

La Feria ISD

La Joya ISD

LakeShore, Scholastic School District

Llano Grande Center

Lyford Elementary School

Maquiladora Association of Matamoros

McAllen Chamber of Commerce

McAllen Cross Roads Senior Center

McAllen Express Transit MET

McAllen ISD

Migrant Health Promotion

Miradas de Esperanza

Mission Buttery Center

Mission Regional Hospitial

Moody Clinic

Mr. Samuel Shipp

Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Port Isabel

National Center for Appropriate Technology

National Hispanic Professional Organization

National Parks Service Palo Alto Battleeld

National Science Foundation

New Mexico State University

One Day in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Palm Valley Church

Palo Alto National Battleeld

Pharr Police Department

Pharr Public Works

Pharr-San Juan Independent School District

Pi Omicron Chapter Sigma Theta Tau

Plantation Produce, Mission TX

Port Isabel EDC

Our Partners

PART

NER

S