From the lab to
Angela Cole is a senior biomedical sciences student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), who will be graduating this fall semester. In her undergraduate career she worked as a laboratory research assistant at Cushing, Ph.D neuroscience laboratory, where she was able to step out of her comfort zone and gain valuable skills.
Cole presented her research at the Society for Neuroscience Convention in San Diego, California, which was held from Nov. 15 to Nov. 19. Cole has been participating in research since the summer of 2024, however, her curiosity for scientific inquiry came long before.
“I had always loved asking questions ever since I was a kid, and then I was inspired to pursue medical school,” Cole said. “I applied to the program under COURI [Campus Office of Undergraduate Research Initiatives] which helps
students get research. I applied to SMARTMIND, which is a neuroscience program, because I love neuroscience, and that’s where I got into the Cushing lab. And now I’m here, and I just love what I do, and I really hope to continue helping the science community.”
As a first-generation student, Cole knew of the challenges that come with carving one’s own path, and the struggles of finding opportunities. However, she has found mentorship at UTEP where she has learned how to grow academically and professionally.
“I think I really was very fortunate to have stumbled upon all the people that I’ve met. And faculty wise, my mentor is just amazing. Cushing really advocates for his students, and I noticed a lot of other professors, they really want the undergrads to succeed, as well as their graduate students. You know, my mentors have told me a lot about his experience and their experience, and finding a good mentor is really, important [for] going into [a] tougher field, like research,” Cole said.
At the laboratory, Cole’s research focuses on creating a map of the hypothalamus, which is the part
of the brain that regulates functions like homeostasis, emotional responses and consolidating memories. She does this by using prairie vole models, which are used because of their similarities with human brains.
“My project is called Cytoarchitectural Atlas. It’s a big word, but cytoarchitecture is basically the architecture of the brain and creating a cyto architectural atlas for the hypothalamus,” Cole said. “The hypothalamus regulates a lot of the emotions that we feel and other animals feel, so it’s a hub of emotions. We want to look at prairie voles, because they’re translational to humans and currently there are no prairie voles atlas so that’s my work.”
Cole was able to present her findings this past November an experience that highly encouraged her to continue deepening her research as she continues in her pursuit of a career in medicine.
“SFN was really an eye-opening moment,” Cole said.
STAFF REPORTER THE PROSPECTOR
VIVIEN NOE C. B Y
Hoping to pursue a dual MD-Ph.D degree, senior Angela Cole is planning on giving back to her community through scientific research, or hands-on service for others. Photos by Nate Flores /The Prospector
Opinion
Evelyn Palma, editor-in-chief
End of a chapter, but not the sto ry
On your first days of college, everyone will say that this chapter of your life will pass by in the blink of an eye. As much as I didn’t want to believe it, they were unfortunately correct. I came to The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) without the knowledge of who I was, as every 17 to18-year-old feels. It was as if I stepped straight into a coming-of-age movie. I had no idea what I was about to experience, who I would meet, or what challenges I would face. Little did I know there would be plenty of obstacles that I’d have to overcome.
Coming from a smaller high school, UTEP was a complete culture shock. The number of students alone made it feel like an entirely different universe. It was a much bigger atmosphere filled with unfamiliar faces; I was both overwhelmed and ecstatic. Uncertain if I had chosen the right university, I was eager for whatever the future had in store for me. I don’t remember much of my first days, but I remember meeting
my roommate who later became my best friend.
Fast forward to the present day, with graduation approaching faster than ever. I have reflected on all of the fond memories I created in college and I realized just how grateful I am for the experiences and lifelong friendships I have made. I will cherish them throughout the course of my life.
As I bid you all adieu, I would love to give credit where it is due, to the people that helped me maintain my sanity through it all. Thank you, Ashley, (my roommate and best friend) for being my rock during the hard times and my unbreakable soul tie. Thank you, Darek, for your never-ending smiles that you bring everywhere you go. Bianca, thank you for the wisdom and spontaneity you bring into my life. Thank you, Frank, for being my outlet, the person who could always make me laugh even on my worst days. You have stuck with me through so much, and I’m forever grateful for your patience and willingness to listen.
Although my time at The Prospector
was short-lived, I created friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime. To my Prospector family, thank you. Evelyn, thank you for taking a chance on me and for recognizing the potential I hadn’t yet seen in myself. It will be an honor to walk across the stage the same day as you. I am forever proud of your undying perseverance. Kristian, thank you for being my unofficial designated cameraman, you helped bring all my projects, including Tiny Mic Talks, to life. I couldn’t have done it without you. Sebastian, thank you for your never-ending joy; you will forever and always light up a room with your contagious glee; never lose that. Thank you, Ximena, for being the girl I could seamlessly talk to; you helped me adjust when I first joined The Prospector. Iziah, your talent is truly beyond comparison. I am so excited for what the future has in store for you, I am incredibly lucky to have met you and call you my dear friend. Abby and Mia, thank you for being my girls I could always share a laugh... with,especially
That’s a wrap—better late than never
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER THE PROSPECTOR ALAN ACOSTA B Y
I have a bad habit of doing things at the last minute, and I know that I’m not the only one. Sometimes it’s because I’m hesitant and filled with doubts, other times it’s because I’m genuinely busy. Maybe I work better under pressure, or maybe I just like to give myself a hard time. Either way, it didn’t change the fact that I was graduating this fall, a bit sooner than I expected. I told myself that I had at least been a part of something these last couple of years, having joined the Digital Media Production Association (DMPA) here at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). As a digital media production (DMP) student, my chances in filmmaking actually felt real there, and I have met so many awesome people along the way.
But I still felt the expectation of having to be part of more, so I looked for on-campus jobs where I could put some of my education to use. I initially considered The Prospector since last year, totally not because of my cousin
who began working there–shoutout to you, Sebastian! However, during the previous fall and spring semesters, both of my dogs passed away. They were family and have been part of it for most of my life, and I’m grateful to have been there for all of theirs. Because of that, I pushed away whatever frustrations I didn’t want to deal with, including joining The Prospector. But I realized that I could only do that for so long.
As I began my final semester here at UTEP, I decided to throw myself into the deep end. I applied for The Prospector as a photographer and even decided to become an officer at DMPA. Somehow, I got chosen for these roles, and I was looking forward to making the most of them.
It’s safe to say that this semester has been my busiest, but I have experienced so much. I got to cover so many interesting stories, and I even got to make a short film with my best friend–shoutout to you, Aziel! I feel that I’ve strengthened friendships while making so many new ones, and they, along with everything I’ve learned from this
campus, are what I’ll carry with me as I leave here.
So, before I close off, I’d like to make my rounds:
To my Prospector staff and friends, thank you so much for everything. To Vero, Crystal, Amy and Isabel, thank you for being so engaging and supportive. I know you’ll continue to take great care of this team. To Abby and Mia, thank you for being so fun and creative. You guys are true inspirations for future Prospy students. To Ximena, thank you for your calm and positive personality; I know that people can always depend on you. To Kahri, thank you for being so confident and welcoming. It has been an absolute joy to work with you. To Evelyn and Kristian, thank you for trusting me many times here. Your hard work is nothing short of admirable, and I won’t forget it. To Iziah, literally, thank you for dealing with me and my photos. Your skills and creative vision are inspiring, and I know you’ll continue to grow. And to Sebastian, thank you for being an endless bundle of energy. read MORE at theprospectordaily.com
Photo by Iziah Moreno/The Prospector
Photo courtesy of Sebastian Bilanceri
EVELYN PALMA B Y
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF THE PROSPECTOR
As a class of 2023 high school graduate, I knew my time at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) would be short. For some, that may seem like a blessing, and it was, but I was more concerned over how quickly it would all unfold. I enrolled in my first UTEP classes in the summer of 2023, and now, about two and a half years later, I will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism before I turn 21.
I made the decision to pursue higher education at 13, joining my feeder high school’s early college program. By 17, I had earned my associate’s degree alongside my high school diploma. It was a meaningful achievement for me. It proved to my family that I was capable and serious–but it felt more for them than for me.
This time around, my bachelor’s degree is different. I did it all on my own. The struggles and the journey make this accomplishment feel like
it is truly mine. My college experience began with a reality check. Entering university as a junior in my first academic year, I felt behind. I had no internships under my belt, and had no path to walk on, just a lot of determination. It was overwhelming, and I felt like I was in a rush to get done everything other people take three years to do.
I remember setting up conference time with Dr. Richard Pineda in fall 2023, the previous chair of the communication department, to go over my options and even the idea I was entertaining of changing majors. In that conversation, I got to tell him about myself and my academic journey and he said something that has stuck out to me all these years: “What’s the rush?” It was such a mundane question, but it carried so much weight for me. I didn’t have an answer. My whole life I had the idea that the quicker I got everything done the better. But he pointed out to me I am already ahead of schedule what’s an extra semester to go study abroad or take
Stress, laughter and everything in between
a summer off?
That conversation meant a lot to me, and I feel in a way it shaped how I approached the rest of my career at UTEP.
Funny enough, I had discussed with Dr. P that I had tried to join The Prospector straight out of high school. I dreamed of a structured trajectory; contributor, staff, editor, then editor-in-chief. But it didn’t happen. I didn’t even get an interview. At the time, I told myself that path just wasn’t meant for me.
My first semesters at UTEP were slow-paced, giving me space to explore, learn and grow. I am especially grateful to my boyfriend, Isaac. We navigated those early college experiences together, going to events, sharing Chick-fil-a lunches while watching our favorite shows and even adventuring in Italy while we studied abroad, something I never imagined I’d have the chance to do.
Those early months taught me there is peace in the quietness. But as each day went by, and the closer I was getting to graduation, I knew I wanted to seek more challenges to prepare me for post-graduation life. Coming back from Rome, Italy, I dove into opportunities that would stretch me beyond the classroom. I joined two clubs taking on leadership roles in both and even landed an internship with the Sun Bowl Association. I was finally getting a taste of the real-world in media, and it helped me realize how much I love crafting stories that matter and connecting with the audience.
After ending my internship in fall 2024, the opportunity to join The Prospector came my way. I was a bit unsure but decided it would be a good stop on my journey. In January, I was given the role of web and copy editor. I thrived in that position, and it
solidified my love for the digital strategy and audience engagement aspect of journalism. I grew a lot as a journalist in my first semester at The Prospector.
Once the spring semester was ending, I decided to apply for editor-in-chief. It was a leap into the unknown. I was nervous and aware that others might doubt my experience or readiness since I had only been a part of the publication for a semester, but I knew I was ready to take on the challenge and become the leader I wish I had. What I didn’t know was how much that decision would shape the last chapter of my college experience. Being editor-in-chief reinforced in me the power of collaboration, mentorship and trust. My team of editors became my core–Kristian, Kahri, Sebastian, Ximena, Iziah, Mia and Abby– each bringing their unique strengths and personalities. Together we navigated deadlines, brainstormed stories and shared countless late-night laughs that made the newsroom feel like home. They each do excellent work, and I have been able to count on them throughout the entire semester to keep things running efficiently. There were moments of doubt and challenges, yes, but they were all balanced by the friendships, guidance and moments of growth that filled my semesters. I took the time at least once every academic school year to go back and visit my mentors from high school. Visits with my high school band director, Mr. Perez, reminded me that my dreams were not only attainable but impressive to those who have watched me grow from the beginning. I always made trips to my old yearbook room, the place where I got my first chance at being an editor-in-chief. Seeing many of those fellow Rams, who were just a couple of years younger, such as Nate, Abby, Dustin and Erick, find their place in college and in The Prospector reminded me how meaningful it is to leave behind something for others to carry
forward. I have no doubt in my mind that The Prospector will take good care of them for me.
I am especially grateful for my mentors, like Crystal, who encouraged me beyond The Prospector and beyond the title of editor-in-chief, always reminding me to aim higher and think bigger.
And of course, Isaac, my partner in all things, who has been there through the stress, the tears and the late nights, and even slept on the office couch until 3 a.m. to support me. Thank you for always encouraging me and being by my side through all of life’s phases.
My last semester of college at The Prospector has not only built me up as a professional but has fulfilled me profoundly. The people I have worked with and the friendships I have created with them have changed the way I look back on my undergrad years. And for that, I am deeply grateful for those who I have met along the way. To my Prosector team, I can’t wait to see what’s next for all of you.
As I prepare to cross the stage for commencement, I would like to take a moment to thank myself. Looking back, the long hours, nervous anticipation, the triumphs and setbacks led me to here. I am proud of myself for sticking it out, for taking risks and for trusting in my own abilities. From feeling invisible to inimitable, my journey, accomplishments and everything in between, I am proud for showing up for myself the days I wanted to hide. I am proud of saying yes to myself when I could have said no. This degree, this journey and these memories are mine, wholly and unapologetically. I am so thankful for the privilege it has been to walk this path, to live the life I once only dreamed of and to realize even in the stress, the challenges and uncertainty, I am exactly where I am meant to be. Evelyn Palma is the editor-in-chief of The Prospector and may be reached at empalma@miners.utep.edu. Follow her on Instagram @evelynp.media and on LinkedIn @evelynpalma-media.
Photo by Iziah Moreno/The Prospector
Photo by Iziah Moreno/The Prospector
News
Evelyn Palma, editor-in-chief
Behind the spotlight
courtesy of Luis Miranda/ UTEP Marketing and Communications
CAMERON MASON B Y
STAFF REPORTER THE PROSPECTOR
Within the blink of an eye, the fall semester wraps up in less than two weeks.
Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 are circled on the calendars of upcoming graduating seniors — the days their years of hard work and dedication led up to. Commencement becomes the moment they have waited for- the day they officially earn their degrees.
Graduation day at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) celebrates achievement, pride and hard work. Families fill the stands; students adjust their caps and the air buzzes with excitement.
What most people don’t think about is how much time, coordination and teamwork go into making the day feel effortless.
What graduates and guests see on stage is a seamless result of months worth of careful planning and collaboration across dozens of departments at UTEP.
party stands, coordinating live streaming, planning pre-ceremony entertainment, to preparing for any emergencies, that must be considered for a successful event,” Caraveo said.
Though those details may be routine, they’re what make or break a graduation ceremony.
Planning for each commencement begins at the start of every semester.
A committee of 80 members, representing each college and various departments, meets monthly to map out timelines, deadlines and responsibilities.
Students are invited to the UTEP Grad Fair, where they register for graduation, pick up their regalia, and confirm their information.
Banner bearers, college marshals and other honorary roles are also assigned, adding another structure to the program.
By the week of commencement, rehearsals are held for all participants, including anyone with an honorary role. These run-throughs ensure the ceremony unfolds smoothly and that each participant knows where to be and what to do.
keeps everything on schedule.
Victor Arreola, the assistant director of media relations, added that the work goes beyond technical management.
“This is a signature event for the university, where the community comes to see what UTEP is all about,” Arreola said. “All of the work that goes into it is intended to make sure the university puts its best face forward.”
Producing commencement also comes with significant costs. The largest expense is the audio-visual vendor, which supports four ceremonies over two days.
UTEP shares the cost of the audio-visual vendor with other local institutions that also hold graduations at the Don Haskins Center, helping to make the expense manageable.
Additional expenses include meals for volunteers and staff, safety personnel to ensure a secure event and upgrades to sound and visual systems that enhance the ceremony.
experience.” Caraveo said.
Recent upgrades include a sound system that automatically adjusts the microphones when a speaker changes direction or volume. In addition there will be screens behind the stage that will allow faculty and staff to see students even if they aren’t at the front.
These changes ensure that everyone in attendance can follow along with the ceremony and enjoy the moment.
Even when unexpected incidents occur, the team behind the scenes rises to the occasion.
“Seeing the students’ emotion, satisfaction, and accomplishment on their faces, and their families so proud, is very rewarding,” Caraveo said. “That’s what keeps us going.” Attendance reflects the significance of the event. Spring graduates usually outnumber fall, and across the upcoming ceremonies, total attendance is expected to reach about 30,000. About 87% of eligible students have submitted their ceremony RSVP. These numbers are continuously tracked up until the day of the ceremony.
Minerva Caraveo, the assistant vice president of university events, who oversees the preparation and execution for all UTEP events, explained some of the finer details that may go unnoticed.
“There are a lot of details that go behind the scenes, from labeling the floor for where the stage
While the planning committee guides the process, nearly 350 volunteers and staff bring the event to life. They handle logistics, usher guests, assist graduates and manage the behind-the-scenes flow that
Caraveo stated her team carefully monitors spending while still striving to elevate commencement each year.
“We try to be very conservative regarding spending but also ensure the success of the ceremonies. We don’t cut corners because we want everyone–graduates, families, volunteers — to have a great
“Sometimes there are special requests or surprises that need to be coordinated, and everything is arranged to ensure it works seamlessly on the day of the ceremony,” Arreola said.
Moments like a deployed soldier surprising a graduate don’t just happen; they are strategically coordinated to create everlasting impact on those in attendance.
The days leading up to graduation can be long and exhausting. Staff spend weeks fine-tuning details, working from early morning to late nights across multiple ceremonies.
But the payoff is worth it to them, as all that preparation comes to life in the smiles, applause and energy filling the arena. Each moment, from the first graduate crossing the stage to the final cheer, is their why.
Coordinating such a large crowd is no small task, but the event team handles it with precision and care each semester. What the audience sees is a polished, heartfelt celebration of completing an educational journey. Behind the scenes, hundreds of staff and volunteers have worked for months to make that special moment possible.
Every name called and every cheer from the crowd reflects the dedication of individuals committed to giving graduates a day they’ll never forget.
Photo
Graduation Denials Illustration by Dustin Perez/The Prospector Dustin Perez is a cartoonist at The Prospector
Miners cross the stage for record commencement
graduating group totals. Two of the most popular majors include psychology and biological sciences.
Fall commencement brings the campus together to celebrate its graduates, but this year’s ceremony carries extra significance.
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) started the fall 2025 semester with more than 26,000 students enrolled, the highest in school history. That milestone paved the way for thousands of Miners preparing to finish their degrees in December.
Official graduation numbers are not yet released, but historical trends offer estimations.
Based on recent trends over the last few years, the fall graduating class is expected to include roughly 7,150 to 7,350 seniors. Of those, around 2,800 to 3,000 students are likely to participate in commencement and receive their degrees this December, reflecting the smaller size of fall ceremonies compared to the commencements held in the spring.
Spring ceremonies typically have more graduates, while fall graduations usually feature smaller classes, which can make the event feel more personal for students and their families.
Several colleges expect to have their usual strong showings. In the past, the college of engineering, business administration and liberal arts produced some of the biggest
Current students say they feel inspired watching senior classes approach the finish line. For nursing major Julian Jasso that feeling resonates deeply.
“Seeing seniors walk is like looking in my, hopeful, future. It’s motivation to know each semester someone’s life is about to change as they join their awaited field. I can’t wait for that to be me,” Jasso said.
Underclassman anticipation captures a strong feeling of imagination, dreaming of walking the stage in their spotlight moment.
A big part of UTEP’s growing enrollment, according to Jasso, comes from the university’s strong local roots.
“Most know UTEP has a great amount of El Pasoans in their student body. I think the rise of students comes down to high school students realizing the hidden gem they have here in their hometown,” Jasso said.
While graduation is about more than just statistics; the scale is not to be ignored. There is an expected attendance of about 30,000 people across the two commencement dates, with graduating seniors RSVP numbers in the mid-to-high 80% range. Final numbers will shift after all degree audits close on Jan. 9, 2026, the last day UTEP
can award fall 2025 degrees. The university also tracks enrollment earlier, because Dec. 14 marks the end of commencement weekend as the point when most RSVPs and ceremony data get finalized.
Alumni often return to witness the celebration that shaped their own experiences. Being part of a crowd of thousands adds energy but also a sense of shared accomplishment. Merri Nevers, an alumna from class of 1998, recalls her favorite moment vividly.
“Walking to my seat in the procession with my fellow graduates, feeling proud — that [feeling] stands out. My journey wasn’t easy. That walk was my ‘Wow, I did it!’ moment,” Nevers said. “The crowd at my graduation was energetic. I remember groups cheering loudly when their loved one’s name was called. It created a festive, upbeat atmosphere.”
She added that the whole ceremony made the milestone feel bigger than she expected, almost like the room was celebrating every graduate at once.
Nevers also reflected on how the university has evolved since her time on campus. She remembered graduating in a class that included only two Black students, underscoring how much things have changed over the years.
Even with the challenges of underrepresentation, UTEP
remained special to Nevers. She had been able to watch the campus grow into a more connected and diverse community.
Commencement is as personal as it is collective. Small but meaningful traditions highlight the ceremony’s emotional impact even for the next generation.
“I can’t wait to take senior photos in front of the pickaxe statue. Seeing it from I-10 all my life to being able to say I conquered the university… I’ve always looked forward to that,” Jasso said.
With a couple of weeks remaining until the big event, some details and counts will not be finalized until UTEP releases official numbers.
Even so, the bigger picture is already taking shape. A record enrollment year ends with thousands of students crossing the stage, stepping into the alumni network, and moving toward
careers that will shape the world.
The mix of excitement and nerves becomes real as graduation gets closer. Stepping into the next chapter can feel overwhelming for many students, and even a little bit anxiety filled.
Nevers hopes the Class of 2025 carries something steady with them as they embark on the next steps of their journeys.
“Fellow UTEP Miners, my advice to you can be summed up in three words: WALK IN COURAGE! The world will always be a little wonky, and life won’t always go the way you plan,” Nevers said.
“But you show up anyway. Be your best self, trust your instincts, and remember that every step forward counts more than you think.”
Mason
The Prospector
Photo courtesy of Luis Miranda/ UTEP Marketing and Communications
What comes after graduation?
REPORTER THE PROSPECTOR JEWEL OCAMPO B Y
Graduating college is often painted as a moment of clarity–the moment when students know what comes next. For University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) senior, Aitiana Mondragon, the future feels exciting, uncertain and still a work in progress.
While some graduates are leaving El Paso with job offers in hand, Mondragon is leaving with something less absolute; her master’s applications, a suitcase, and the understanding that uncertainty is part of the process. Her story reflects what many graduating students are also realizing;post-grad life is about moving forward even while the plan is still forming.
Mondragon, a computer science major, plans to move to New Jersey in fall 2026 to pursue a master’s in software engineering or cybersecurity at the Stevens Institute of Technology. Mondragon said she was initially hesitant to pursue STEM until a teacher at her high school encouraged her to consider it, an experience that now motivates her to want to mentor others.
“I didn’t see myself good at math or science or anything of that sort.
But I had a teacher back in high school who opened the door for me. I want to be able to do that for other little girls who didn’t know and offer them that insight,” Mondragon said.
Mondragon may not be leaving with a job offer, but she is graduating with direction and an acceptance that plans can shift along the way. She’s preparing to relocate to a new city, as well as financial planning, tuition costs and to find work while she applies to various graduate programs.
Life is unpredictable and for Mondragon, who says she likes checklists and structure, the uncertainty of post-grad life creates its own challenges.
“I like knowing things. I like to be ahead of the game. I like having my to-do list, being able to check things off,” Mondragon said.
“Obviously, when you move it’s going to be a new environment, new people, new friends, new school. That’s what scares me, having to adjust. But that’s life, isn’t it? We have to get used to it whether we like it or not.”
Currently, Mondragon is focusing on completing her studies and preparing for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). She is also applying to
different programs and gathering letters of recommendation.
“Grasping that my plan isn’t foolproof and that I’ll probably have to adjust it. That‘s been the challenge, but also knowing what I want to do,” Mondragon said.
Mondragon said that while high school introduced her to STEM, UTEP and especially the computer science department, gave her the support system she needed to pursue it seriously.
Her family has also been a major part of her support system.
“My family here... they’ve been my biggest supporters throughout my college career. Anytime things were tough, I could go to them and that helped a lot, especially the first couple months,” Mondragon said.
Leaving El Paso has been a long-term goal for Mondragon, one she made with herself when she graduated high school as valedictorian. Financially, UTEP was her best option at the time, but she told herself that when she finished, she would seek opportunities elsewhere and gain the independence she wanted.
Mondragon says that while many feel El Paso doesn’t offer as many opportunites, she doesn’t believe students have to leave to succeed, people just need to be willing... read MORE at theprospectordaily.com
Congratulations, SSSP Class of 2025!
Aitiana Mondragon is a senior computer science major graduating in December 2025. Photo by Sadie Briones/The Prospector
Eving Axel Garcia
Agustin Jimenez
Jose Guillermo Murphy III
Alejandra Ivette Seanez
Aaron Joshua Soria
Fabiola Trillo
Creative Writing
Diego Andre Cerda
Criminal Justice
Samantha Avalos
Alondra Isabel Barrios
Miamaria Carrillo
Valeria Castro Jr
Jade A. Corsaw
Omar Alejandro Delgado
Lizeth Diaz
Nayelli Adilene Gaona Trejo
Christian Matthew Gold
Areli Grajeda
Edher Gurrola
Brissa A. Hita
Asia Chante Hodge
Jesse A. Ibarra
Carolina Lozano
Maria Del Carmen Madrid
Richard Anthony Martinez
Clarissa Nicole Moncayo
Anthony David Morales
Matthew Isaiah Morales
Israel Moreno
Mauricio Moreno
Crystal Selena Nesbitt
Jessie Olivarez
Priscilla Ann Orozco
Isaak Daniel Ortiz
Marina Alejandra Parada
Darla Portillo
Cecilia Gabriela Rascon-Giron
Tessa Mercedes Reyes
Brianna Saavedra
Paris Sanchez
Paulina Adelaida Sanmiguel
Cailyn Leanna Scott
Priscilla Valles
Sofia Villanueva
Daniela Zavala
Digital Media Production
Demian Alvarado
History
Noelle Amina Alarcon
David Gutierrez
Eduardo Antonio Hernandez
Diego Esteban Meringer
Melissa Rojas
Jose Angel Salgado
Linguistics
Joshua Hugo Frescas
Media Advertising/ Communication
Valery Davila
Luz Garcia
Class of 2025
Studio Art
Multimedia Journalism
Marco Hinojosa
Monica Sofia Perez
Multimedia Journalism/ Sociology
Mara Gaytan
Organizational & Corporate
Communication
Samantha Nicol Carbajal
Alexandra Elena Castanon
Laura M. Martinez
Cristal Idaly Ojeda
Hector Ortiz Jr
Political Science
Vanely Hinojos
Michelle Stephanie Sanchez-Soto
Psychology
E’Mani Mirina Abbud
Nikolaus Arcaina
Alyssa Marie Baeza
Samantha Nicole Bonilla
Aurora Burciaga
Austin Raul Castro
Luis Armando Crespo
Evelyn Rose Duran
Edgar Isaac Garcia
Ruben Enrique Gonzalez
Alejandra Astri Hernandez
Evelyn Jajaira Hernandez
Crystal L. Herrera
Andrew J. Jimenez
Mia Marie Lopez
Nubia Luz Lopez
Alexis Francisco Martinez
Kate Daniella Mora
Mariana Quezada
Paula Mariana Ramirez
Emily Nicole Reyes
Amy Rodriguez
Alejandro Eugenio Semprini
Karla A. Silva
Marietta Espillardo Stout
Zuzanna Justyna Szczepanska
Carlos Mario Vivanco
Kimberly Celine Zamora
Psychology/Criminal Justice
Grecia Violeta Arambula
Psychology/Sociology
Alan Alejandro Valles Villanueva
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Dance
Ailis De Luna
Tianna Cristine Tillman
Carolina Hiatl Villarreal
Theatre
Rubysella Marie Erickson
Theatre Arts
Melissa Gutierrez
Bachelor of
Multidisciplinary Studies
Alfonso M. Acevedo
Yasmine Irene Aguilar
Karolyn Monique Aguilera
Rosalia Balderrama
Tre’Vion Ballard
Sarah Maria Althea Batzel
Ashley Kathleen Bowron
Uelese Kenneth Buckingham
Nicolas Castro
Adriel Cleaves-Mullin
Elyse Mae Cruz
Silvia J. Cuevas Chavez
Michelle Lynn Herron
Gabriela Luna
Joshua Magallanez
Laura Y. Martinez
Oscar Fred Moore
Courtney Nicole Odonnell
Carolina Ogaz
Elva Johanna Orona
Abel Ortegon
Monica A. Paz
Cindy Janette Pinedo
Nathan Alan Pratt
Idaly Ramirez
Alexis D. Robarge
Adriana Rodriguez
Toni Elizabeth Romero
Jacob R. Rubert
David Wayne Terrell
Erika Ulloa
Jessica Valadez-Hernandez
Mayra Kahori Vidana
Georrgina Villarreal
Monica Lanece Washington
Brady Marie Zachary
Bachelor of Music
Commercial Music
Jaya Monee Edgerton
Alfredo Ramirez
Edward Rodriguez
Music
Luis F. Rios
Bachelor of Science
Psychology
Analuisa Castellanos
Liliana Carina Fernandez
Brenda Gardea
Denisse Andrea Moreno
Tatiana Celines Velazquez
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Valeria Alejandra Cota
Kaylee N. Cruz
Alexa N. Dominguez
Rachel Alexandra Espinoza
Claudia Patricia Ferreiro-Chavez
Alejandro Fierro
Hector Gallegos
Adrian Alfredo Garcia
Jessica Garcia
Maya Elizabeth Gardea
Brian Raymond Gill
Chelsea Lynne Glover
Manuel A. Granado
Stephanie Cristina Grijalva Jr
Karen Maite Gutierrez
Terry Lee Halpain Sr
Evelyn Hernandez
Mailen Hernandez
Emily Michelle Hidalgo
Brenda Esmeralda Jimenez
Kadarion Johnson
Daniel Yaechan Kim
Andrea Angelica Lara
Sarahjane Condag Legaspi
Rocio M. Lizardo
Hector Lopez Jr
Mayra Elizabeth Lozano
Xol Itzel Lozoya
Raeanne Lucero
Bianca Lizette Magallanes
Roxanne Maguregui
Liana Maldonado
Angelica Martinez
Cindy Ann Mata
Peris Wangui Mathangani
Ninel Alejandra Medina Ruiz Orozco
Edgar I. Mejia
Aileen Renee Montes
Crystal Marie Montes
Ebony L. Montes
Vivian Mora
Melanie Brianne Morales
Marissa Rae Murga
Aaron Nava
Ruby Karelly Navarro
Elena Monti Nepomuceno
Deyadira Kristina Ornelas
Alyssa Anahi Orozco
Lyssa M. Ortega
Graciela Ortiz
Tracy Esperanza Ortiz Rendon
Noah Mauri Ozer
Kelly Lizbeth Parra
Faith Abigail Pena
Selena Piedra
Sophia Isabel Purdy
Arissa Ramirez
Lilian Janeth Remes
Gladys Brianna Reveles
Benjamin Reyes
Megan Ann Reyna
Michael J. Riddick
Izequiel Jacob Rivas
Monica Lilian Rivera
Genesis Robles
Carolina Rodriguez
Isabel Rodriguez
Vivian G. Rodriguez
Alejandra Rojero
Patrick Jacob Romero
Pablo Salas
Emmanuel Sanchez
Niurka R. Sanchez
Yatlahi Sapien
Sophia Ann Schueren
Chloe A. Schydlower
Paola Sepulveda
Melissa M. Shiner
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Bachelor of Arts
Biological Sciences
Ashley Nicole Morales
Bachelor of Science
Biochemistry
Arely Belem Carreon
Joshua Julian Little
Biological Sciences
Leslie Ndoh Abiewa
Derick anthony Alvarado
Eduardo Fernando Alvarez
Jessica Marie Alvarez
Mustafa Alzerkani
Alina Arias
Eyrakah Samone Broussard
Amanda Marie Camacho
Stephen A. Carreto
Ruben Ceballos Carrillo
Rut Azeneth Chavarria
Mackenzie Nichole Chavez
Kenia De La Rosa
Julia Maris Diaz Sandino
Cynthia Itzel Anai Escalante
Miguel A. Fernandez
Samaira Itzel Fragoso
Selene Guerra
Joalynn Holguin
Christopher James Jordan
Mia Camille Laspada
Angelica Loammi Ledesma
Andrea Martinez
Diane L. Martinez Ricartti
Michael Ian Mclain
Jacob J. Mendez
Brenda Idaly Motta
Nicole Ivette Muro
Gael Nava
Javier Jr Navarrete
Ariana Isabel Ortega
Ruby Palacios
Anuradha Stephanie Rajpaul
Yabiel Eliezer Rivera
Zamira Denisse Rodriguez
Bijan Sahand Sardaryzadeh
Jessica Schneider
Kahani Markees Smith
Alejandro Tizcareno
Patricia Gabriella Tonche
Christian G. Valenzuela
Biomedical Sciences
Angelina Yasmin Amparano
Katie Elizabeth Call
Tiffany Vy Dinh
Amaria Areece Fields
Noah Alexander Flood
Mia Karina Huerta
Lily Marie Johnson
Anabel Josephine Medina
Mayllain Mendoza
Gabriel Dallas Montes
Julian Aggelos Moraros-Gonzalez
Diya Ashley Vanmali
Ecology &
Evolutionary Biology
Tenzing Yedtsho Choda
Alejandra Rodarte
Forensic Science
Alyssa Ariana Andrade
Andres Roman Borbon
Valeria Gonzalez
Adeline Delilah Hernandez
Cesar Enrique Padilla
Julian Andres Saenz
Carolina Tarin
Molly Kay Tate
Samantha Zepeda
Geological Sciences
Ryder R. Robledo
Mathematics
Stephanie Leanne Babb
Gloria Lorenza Martinez
Zeden Mo Tamang
Microbiology
Ryan Keith Bickford
Melissa Marie Murillo
Diana Isabel Ojeda
Ryley Duane Stewart
Jessica G. Terrazas
Sofia Carolina Vargas
Neuroscience
Diana Gabri Acosta
Aylin Estefania Pina
Physics
Christian Jaquez
WOODY L. HUNT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Bachelor of Business Administration
Accounting
Luis Fernando Castillo Villalba
Daniel Corralejo Jr
Gabriel Gerardo Dominguez Jr
Marisol Magallanes
Vanessa Ruby Molina
Brianna Rose Robles
John Elias Santoscoy
Finance
Miguel A. De la Pena
Jose Rodolfo Martinez
Mariel Alexandra Morales
Christian Ray Sonora
Nursing
Cesar Ivan Acosta
Hugo Cesar Acosta Gasson
Adekola Oluseyi Adefelu
Elizabeth Irene Aguirre
Kennya Aleman
Eric Anthony Apodaca
Jacob Arellano
Jessica Arias Diaz
Chasity Lynn Arnold
Alexis Nicole Baeza
Areli Belmontes Garcia
Minna Betancourt
Ashley M. Boneo
Briana S. Carrillo
Abderrafik Chafai
Patsy Delilah Chaparro
Paulina Chavez
Margarita Isabelle Chavez North
Carla Alexandra Corral
Michael A. Tarango
Benjamin Torres
Yvette Torres Flores
Alexa Mia Trejo
Emily E. Trillo
Alexis Gysselle Valenzuela
Ashley Priscilla Valle
Stephanie Michelle Valverde
Hailee Nevaeh Vasquez
Abrianna Denise Vega
Mariacatalina Villarreal
Emily L. Viramontes
Elizabeth Marie Viscon
Shelby Kirsten Watts
Nyla Karla Zamora
Rachael Zaragoza
The Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences congratulates all of our graduates this semester. May this achievement be one of many more to come.
Master of Business Administration
Yamilex Arias
Samantha Angelica Ayala
Laura Esthela Benavente
Andrew Botello
Jesus Manuel Brito
James Joseph Bryan
Melissa Carranco
Gabriela Castro Herrera
Sophia Chauvet
Matthew Aaron Chavez
Sophia Clements
Anesah M. Collier
Maximino Abraham Contreras
Joshua Cruz
Sebastian Delgado
Aaron Michael Diaz
Christine Nicole Diaz
Stella Kondo Dresser
Karla Duran
Loren Flores
Ana Cristina Frias
Nicole Gonzalez
Michelle Angelica Gonzalez Chavez
Joseph Guerra
Maria Fernanda Gutierrez
Karen Hernandez
Aleks Krasimirov Hristov
Caleb Ledesma
Iris Maraboto
Rosa Sabina Marquez Lopez
Luis Sebastian Martinez
Marco Medina
Andrea Michele Mendez Vincenty
David M. Montgomery
Joel Muniz
Monica Munoz
Ruben Munoz Ibarra
Carla Itzel Munoz Salaiz
Daniel Wilbert Nicholas Jr.
Jacob Anthony Ochoa
Arianna Bernali Olague
Olivia Olivas
Pablo Marin Ordonez
Cesar Ortiz
Eunice Ortiz
Alejandra Pacheco
Celeste Michelle Parga
Antonio Carlo Petrucelli
Jordan Puchi
Lydia Crystal Ramirez
Alicia Renee Renteria
Lulani Rider
Ana Karen Robles
Demy Rodriguez
Sienna Angela Rubio
Job Saucedo
Claudia Michelle Simmons
Jacqueline Solis
Jamesia St Louis
Joe Tienda II
Marco Antonio Torrez Rivas
Lila Andrea Tristan
Gregory Peter Trock
Lanneya Rosa Trujillo
Alondra Uribe
Congratulations, Class of 2025
Diego Vasallo Mendez
Karla Paola Vazquez Gomez
Delilah Veliz
Hilda Natalie Vera
Karla Paulina Vidrio
Fabiola Villa
Ricardo Villavicencio
Frida Sofia Weston
Ashly Monique Winston
Master of Science
Jaime Ernesto Ahumada Granados
Miguel Angel Meraz
Ana Gabriela Rodriguez Irungaray
College of Health Sciences
Doctor in Occupational Therapy
Jessica Lynette Gutierrez
Doctor of Philosophy
April Tannaz Ansari
Md Mohsin
Master of Public Health
Andrea Baca
Omar Alberto Cano
Jailene Itzel Gallegos
Klarissa Siebert
Andrea Susana Yanez
Master of Science
Eric Alejandro Bustillos
Haley Gutermilch
Luisa Fernanda Torres
College of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Jessica Almaguer
Deandra Monique Apodaca
Karla Rocio Banister
Daniela Burrola Reyes
Navy Butler
Andrea Marian Clement
Adrian Mathew Cobos
Nichole Yaa Dadzie
Breanna Lorts Doherty
Vivian Duron
Javier Espinoza
Gabriela Carolina Flores
Roxanne Flores
Ricky Flory Jr.
Autumn Follett
Alondra Yajira Garcia
Debbie Garcia
Kimberly Garza
Fernanda Iliana Grajeda
Bianca St Marie Hernandez
Karla Nicole Hernandez
Kelsey Faith House
Sarai Jalil
Marco Eduardo Jasso
Adrianna Olivia Jimmerson
Lauren Paige Johnson
Thomas Jordan
Brittany Erin Lackey
Andrea Laird
Betsaida Lara
Talia Lawler
Samantha Ilene Limon
Shawn Daniel MacNeil Jr.
Grace Mejia
Domonique J. Meza
Ana Montoya-Hernandez
Ophelia Agyemang Nketia
Lynda Katherinne Obando-Saavedra
Fedirnando J. Parra
Miguel Angel Reveles
Chiara Marie Rodriguez
Stephany Rubio
Ashley Abigail Ruiz
Michael Alvaro Sarabia
Jaimie Saucedo
Jeannine Mara Schoenbrun
Julissa Soto
Nichole Marie Sweeney
Melissa Torres
Leslie Vargas
Brianna Marie Vera
Carlos Villa
Patricia Ann Visconti
Herline Leslie Wami
School of Pharmacy
Doctor of Pharmacy
Jacqueline Ivonne Carzoli
Raul De Jesus Franco
Lilyana Andrea Munoz
Engineering Science/ Interdisciplinary
Doctor of Philosophy
Suzan Aranda Luna
Alfredo Dagda Torres
Luis Miranda
Fall 2025
UNDERGRADUATE
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science
Lilly Midori Acata
Georgina A. Alba Munoz
Nataly Iveth Alvarado
Monica Balderrama
Sabrina M. Barraza
Janpaul Bedoya
Karen Vanessa Burke
Andrea Victoria Bustillos
Juan Carlos Camacho Jr
Cielo Jaylene Campos
Katie Lizbeth Castro
Caleb J. Cepeda
Lizeth Ceron
Gabriela M. Chavez
Lluvia Nohemi Chavez
Diana S. Chavez-Banuelas
Shannon Rayne Cordero
Viridiana Corral
Jabnel Cortes
Paola L. Cueto
Destiny Marie Delgado
Stephanie Delgado
Osiris Dominguez
Gabriel Duarte
Rita Velia Espinoza
April Flores
Jose Andres Flores
Patricia Flores
Desiree Itzel Frias
Gabriela A. Frias
Melissa Gallegos
Mareena N. Galvez
Mark V. Garcia
Serenity Sunshine Gaskin
Alaina Margaret Gilbert
Yoselenne Haydee Grajeda
Emily Ann Guerrero
Niobe Paola Gutierrez
Alexandria Guzman
Aubrey Harris
Blanca Erika Hernandez
Erin Elizabeth Holguin
Samantha Sky Kincaid
Alexandra Lira
Samantha Marie Lozano
Henry Macias
Briana Aileen Marquez
Arturo Martinez
Araceli Mendoza
Haley Rae Meneses
Maria Magdalena Miranda
Laisha I. Mora
Nataly Mora
Rosario Mora
Alondra Morales
Fernanda Morales
Valeria Morales
Mary moseley
Ana Cristina Munetones Fragoso
Ana Fernanda Munoz Romo
Amre A. Nunez
Andrea Victoria Nunez
Jacob Andrew Olivas
Bernadette Louise Onate
Armando Ontiveros III
Sylvia Guadalupe Orquiz
Karla Priscilla Palomares
Dalila M. Paz
Astrid Sarai Pena
Wendy Marleen Perez
Nadine Nicole Portillo
Sarah Grace Ramirez
Vanessa Ramirez
Tiffany Thais Reyes
Melina Grace Rice
Paola Jael Rodriguez
Rosa E. Rodriguez
Denisse Romero
Monica Marie Rosales
Adriana Lizeth Roux
Leslie Gissel Ruedas
Noel Nicole Saucedo
Alec Tre Solis
Patricia Elizabeth Stretmoyer
Karma Itzel Tinajero
Rocio Arely Tovar
Beatriz Helena Valdez
Emily Mileydi Vislar
Ana Victoria Wilson
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Bachelor of Science
Aerospace and Aeronautical
Engineering
Mia Ann Alvarez
Isaac Nathaniel Basurto
Edgar Eduardo Hernandez
David Azariah Moreno
Alexis Nieves
Civil Engineering
Marcos J. Almaguer
Andres Alvarado
Jonathan Aaron Armendariz
Rodrigo Chris Arras
Princess Jasmine Serrano Baja
Derek G. Balcorta
Roberto Antonio Barraza Escudero
Ana Karen Becerra
Alejandro Cano Jr
Randale Chavers
Elijah Miguel Coleman
Van Nguyen Do
Lizbeth Dorado
Andrew David Escajeda
Elvis David Falcon
Nicholas Gutierrez
Aaron Campbell Holmes
Jesus Ibarra
Adrian Jaquez
Lylah Janay Kunard
Julia Adela Lerma
Alejandra Loya
Edwin A. Lucero
Irma Yadira Lujan
Emilio Mendoza
Jonathan Alli Mendoza
Jorge Luis Mijarez
Cristian Jose Mireles
Christopher Alexander Moreno
Mario Alberto Moreno Jr
Rene Rios Escobar Jr
Alejandro Rivero
Samantha Romero
Katia Salinas
Missel Sanchez
Pedro Sanchez
Maria Isabel Vargas
Priscilla Nicole Vega
Diego Vega Mena
Andrea Nicole Veliz
Daisy Estela Villalobos
Israel Villalobos
Alejandra Yanez Sanchez
Dafnee Stephanie Zuniga
Computer Engineering
Emily Gena Ayoub
Computer Science
Ian S. Acosta
Cristina Lizbeth Alarcon
Carlos Raul Alfonzo
Gabriel Isaac Alonso Serrato
Paola Fernanda Alvarado
Juan Alvidrez
Ashkan Arabi Mianroodi
Javier Aranda Jr
Edgar Omar Arellano
Raymond Arias III
Angel Armendariz
Naomi M. Armendariz
Ivan Armenta
Diego Emilio Aviles Rios
Daniel A. Avitia
David Baca
Fatima S. Barron
Aaron Andres Beltran
Jesus Daniel Benavente
Omar Manuel Blancarte
Felix Andre Cabanas Fajardo
Javier A. Camarillo
Kevin Eugene Campbell
Julieta Cano
Patricio Cano
Giovanna Paola Carballido
Ray Anthony Castaneda
Rodrigo Sebastian Castillo
Francisco F. Cavazos
Eduardo Hiram Ceballos Faour
Alain Chavez-Aleman
Andres Daniel Chavira
Michael Kris Corona Jr
Torin Christopher Crudup
Jeremiah Dean
Christian Dees
Angel Gabriel Delgado
Nathan Kalmore Diamond
Ethan Alan Duarte
David C. Duru
Joe A. Esparza Jr
Nora Leticia Flores
Daniel Camilo Fuentes
Dylan Galvan
Rafael Garcia
Ricardo Garcia
Maximiliano Garibay
Titus Zacchaeus Gayle
Devin A. Gill
Luis M. Gomez
Raul Gomez
Efrain Gonzalez
Zabdiel Benhail Hernandez
Victor Alfonso Herrera
Isaac Akai Hita
Jazmin Mabel Huerta
Ricardo Andres Ibaven Salcido
Gabriela Jayme
Hector J. Jimenez
Alexander T. Karl
Sean Byron LaNeave
Angelica Lara
Estrella Lara
Jose Eduardo Legarreta Coronado
Tomas Francisco Liano
Samuel Lopez
Jose Mario Lopez-Aguilar
Rogelio Lozano Jr
Leilani Ariana Luna
Ivan Alejandro Luna Torres
Gresham Jesus Maese
Omar Alejandro Martinez
Ruben Martinez
Sofia Martinez Maynez
Matthew Jeremy Mata
Andre Melendez
Alvaro Ivan Mendoza III
Eduardo Menendez
Juan Carlos Meza
Aitiana Leticia Mondragon
Citlali Ximena Mondragon-Pensamiento
Juan Moreno III
Joe Mota
Jahir Muniz
Sebastian Nares
Matthew Alexander Olivas
Dayanna A. Ontiveros
Emilio Antonio Orozco
Fatima Orpineda Prieto
Isaac Padilla
Gilberto Parra
Guillermo A. Patlan
Alejandro Ricardo Pedregon
Bryan Perez
Kevin Porras
Daniel Quijano
Alejandro Rangel
Daniel Reyes
Stephanie Reyes
Karina Rivera
Cristina Rivera-Sanchez
Nolan Luis Rodriguez
Francisco Alejandro Roman
Caleb Zachary Rubio
Ricardo Angel Rubio
Emmanuel Saenz
Joshua Salas
Rey Sanchez
Alejandro Sedeno-Gonzalez
Haitham A. Shaibany
Gerardo Sillas
Ryan Smathers
Brandon Ernesto Soto-Ochoa
Eddie A. Tena
Nancy Terrazas-Martinez
Jaime Ivan Torres
Antonio Marco Urbina
Diana Valenzuela
Frida Jimena Valenzuela
Christina Aidee Valtierra
Dante I. Vargas
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
The University of Texas at El Paso
Juan Fernando Vazquez Olivas
David Joevanni Velez
Laura Villa
Bryan Villarreal
Mary Quynh Vu
Kinley Wangyel
Alfredo Zavala Jr
Maria Fernanda Zuany Rodriguez
Construction Engineering & Management
Axel Ricardo Balderrama
Tristen A. Bustillos
Jonathan Caballero Garcia
Jonathan Chacon
Joshua Sebastian Diaz
Xitlali Diaz
Celeste Hernandez
Luis Fernando Herrera
Josue B. Lozano
Andrew J. Marquez
Vianney Miranda
Carlos Andres Renteria III
Electrical Engineering
Hector Aguilar
Manuel Alvarado
Xacek A. Alvarez
Katelin Elizabeth Byers
Angel Emiliano Campos Calleros
Ricardo Cardenas
Julian De La O
Luis Angel De la Rosa
Eric De Santiago
Nicholas Gonzalez
Ramon Alexander Guerra
Daniela Gutierrez
Eric P. Guzman
Agustin Hernandez Duran
Jessica Leticia Loya
Ismael Alejandro Luna
Angel Martinez
Kevin Mata
Rebekah Leah Moncada
Salvador Morales Jr
David Ortiz
Luis Y. Ortiz
Emilio Patino Calero
Rogelio Jesus Ponce
Victoria Reyes
Felipe Rios Jr
Michael Roman-Naciff
Abril Renee Ruiz Hermosillo
Engineering Innovation & Leadership
Fernanda Ileana Delgado
Ashley Roxanne Padilla
Emmanuel Rodriguez
Anthony Joe Silvas
Dante Villalobos
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Bryan Jesus Almeraz
Artemisa Atkins
Joel Leonardo Burboa Jr
Kimberly Nahomi Canales
Gerardo Alfonso Carrasco Jr
Mia Carreon Heredia
Analaura Castillo
Jesse Delgado
Edrick Gamez
Andres Gerardo Gonzalez Fitch
Carolina Lozoya
Carlos Navin Maiti Rivera
Jorge Mares Jr
Gael Meza
Javier Alexis Meza
Jahzeel Giovana Quintero Villa
Alfonso Recobos Duque
Jose Eduardo Rivero
Catalina Sanchez
Arturo Torres
Daniel Villalobos
Zhiye Zhang-Huang
Mechanical Engineering
Camila Ivanka Aguilar
Angel Antonio Aguirre
Alan Darian Alba
Aaron A. Apodaca
Erik Joseph Ardovino
Alan Raul Barraza Vazquez
Ricardo Barrio Rivera
Eric A. Castillo
Luis Romel Castillo Perez
Alberto S.E. Castro
Jose Alejandro Chavez
Jessica Marie Cobos
Gabriel Cortez
Abdiel Cruz
Gianluca Cuevas
Alan Delgado Romo
Jesus Adrian Duran
Carlos Adolfo Estrada
Miguel Fabela
Alexa Sofia Fraga
Brian Aaron Gamboa
Hugo Alejandro Garcia Castro
Alexis Alfonso Gomez
Eugenia Gonzalez
Laiza Yisel Guereque
Jesus Vladi Gutierrez
Wyatt Hart
Diego Hernandez
Kevin Xavier Hernandez Jr
Dante Francisco Holguin
Maria Fernanda Jimenez Barraza Jr
Alberto Enrique Lavin Jr.
Martha Fernanda Leon Casas
Gerardo Aaron Lopez
Sebastian Lopez
Jesus Humberto Marquez
Estrella Martinez
Roberto Javier Martinez-Botello III
Roberto Ruben Martinez-Mendoza
Samuel Matamoros Baca
Francisco Miranda
Mayra Elizabeth Montes
Mia Raquel Montiel
Jimena Morales Perez
Patrick R. Murphy
Mario Lorenzo Nevarez
Ingrid Yahaira Nunez
Kyle Andrew Odom
Joshua Ojeda
Kalea Marie Oshiro
Dan Jairo Perez
Francisco J. Plaza
Richard Aaron Puentes
Alexa Ramirez
Adrian G. Rodriguez
Karla M. Rodriguez
Jorge Romero Jr
Manuel Adrian Ruiz De
Esparza
Daniel Sanchez
Norma Ivette Sanchez
Joshua Andrew Servantez
Jorge Sosa Jr.
Jonathan Andrew Sotero
Cody Torres
Hadria Fernanda Torres
Maynez
Valerie G. Trevizo Duarte
Erick Varela
Victor Vela Jr
Joel Azael Velasquez
Zachary Augustus Robert Yost
Jofiel Antonio Zapata
Metallurgical and
Materials Engineering
Sofia J. Cabello
Jenny Fertel
Eduardo Mendoza Nieto
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Bachelor of Science
Kinesiology
Adam Darnell Allen
Joaquin Anguiano
Juanpablo Antuna
Martin Aragon Jr
Esmeralda D. Arroyos
Melissa Alexa Balderas
Jacob Jesus Becerra
Nayeli Casas
Aaron Elyjah Castro
Vivian Ivonne Cazares
Adrian Cervantes Jr
Mariana Chavez
Natalie Eva Chong
Melanie Cordova
Jorge De Castro
Sebastian Del Campo
Lyla Diaz
Nathaniel A. Duran
Myriam Estrada
Jesus S. Fierro
Ryan Steven Frank
Brianna Melina Garcia
Daniel Garcia
Rosario Garcia
Robert Gonzalez
Julian Dominick Granados
Adrian Guzman
Deserie M. Herrera
Joana Dennise Herrera
Brendan James Hnat
Arianna Nicole Hutterer
Noah C. Jirgens
Lorraine Juarez
Monserrat Lara
Abdiel Arturo Loya
Christian Gael Loya
Jamie Loya
Andrea Isabel Lucero
Hannah Lauren Macias
Daniela Y. Magana
Nidia Angelica Martinez
Ruben F. Martinez
Laura Graciela Mendez
Diego Alejandro Mendoza
Karen Jazmin Miller
Jessica E. Montes
Ana Lourdes Montiel
Jenivy Anne Morales
Karen A. Muro
Asia Nobles
Zander A. Nunn
Steven Kyle Ortega
David Parish
Emilee Nikole Pedroza
Victoria Perez
Anthony Pina
Axel Preciado Valdiviez
Miguel A. Quezada
Cassandra N. Ramirez
Eduardo Ramirez
Elijah Rascon
Miguel Rascon
Selena O. Renteria
Victor Jose Rey Jr
Isaiah Zachary Reyes
Marco A. Rivera Alva
Eder Robles
Savannah Larissa Romero
James Rubio
Carlos Saenz Jr
Caidyn Julia Sanders
Aron Tanui
Chaz Phnuary Thomas
Carlos David Valenzuela Breceda
Alyssa C. Vega- Vides
Ivan A. Velez III
Nathaniel Elijah Villalba
Eleni M. White
Jordani Giovanni Woodley
Public Health
Olga Sofia Barajas
Giselle Burgos
Kelsey J. Dodds
Rachel Elliott
Aimee Flores
Eva Gutierrez
Lisa Renee Macias
Alexandra Marin
Isabel Guadalupe Martinez
Sarah Julieta Martinez
Madeline Marie Ontiveros
Eunice Rodriguez
Paola Fernanda Segura
Hannah Syungo
Hadijah Wenibwe
Rehabilitation Sciences
Steven Daniel Alva
Katelyn Andrade
Jesus Abraham Arias
Jonathan A. Ayala
Andres Isidro Brown
Damien Rene Chavez
Ever Chavez
Nickxamira Chavez
Isaac Daniel Contreras
Kassie Alejandra Cornejo
Jonathan Andrew De Leon
Vianey Aliyah Duchene
Abby Gayle Enriquez
Alexis Anahi Garcia
Juliet Rose George
Aiden Isaac Gonzalez
Jesus Alejandro Gonzalez
Itzel Esmeralda Guerrero
Raymundo Hernandez Jr
Ashley Marie Jerome
Diana Laura Lazo Galvan
Jetzhel Itzhel Loya
Casandra Mabel Lozano
Christian Nathan Lozano
Alejandra Martinez
Edith Martinez Correa
Isabel Mimi Mendoza
Desiree Marie Meza
Claudia Ivette Negrete
Estevan M. Nieto
Brenda Guadalupe Ojeda
Ethan Avant Orihuela
Natalia Padilla
Azul P. Portillo
Deborah Joline Ramirez
Ricardo M. Rodriguez
Sophia Beatriz Saenz
Andrea Juliete Talamantes
Angelina Lucille Valdes
Emily A. Valdez
Marissa Annette Valdivia
Vivianne Alyssa Venegas
Mary Williams
Hailey La Najha Mosley Wilson
Samuel A. Womack
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
Applied Arts and Sciences
Eddie Anthony Delgado
Andrea Gurrola
Jefrey Diaz Laplante
Bachelor of Arts
Art Alvaro Abasta Jr. Monserrat Cota
Fernanda Sofia Diaz
Priscila Escajeda
Lizel Daniela Esparza
Isabela Faivre
Angeles Ofelia Garcia
Mariana Laura Lopez Lira
Stephanie Ochoa
Samantha Ortiz
Jangchuk Pem
Dyvanna Faith Soria
Elizabeth Faith Underhill
Alexandra Urbina
Natalie Ann Valdez
Art History
Natalia Yael Arzola Contreras
Pamela Mejia
Paola F. Ramirez
Chicano Studies
Sergio Elizondo Gongora
Karen Fernandez
Esteban Macedo
Maria Hortencia Rodriguez
Roberto Jauregui Velez
Communication Studies
Paola Nataly Aguilar
Daniela Isabel Gijon
Luis Zuloaga Hernandez
Isabella Ilene Kelly
Andre Justin Rogers
Vianah Carisel Vasquez
Communication Studies/
Criminal Justice
Mark Evan Chavez
Creative Writing
Anthony Alvarez
Alec Douglas Fairbanks
Audrey Rain Jurado
Alessia Palai
Sofia Melissa Payan Rivera
Arianna Torres
Creative Writing/English &
American Literature
Nicole S. Sauza
Criminal Justice
Sebastian Acevedo
Ilse Sofia Acosta
Lila B. Acosta
Rebeca Moniq Acosta
Simona Lourdes Aguilar
Ada Felecitas Alba
Carlos Andres Alfaro Rivera Jr
Roberto Anchondo
Anel J. Aranda
Ashley Regina Avila
Diandra Idalee Avila
Frida R. Ayala
Michell Basurto
Samantha Jade Betancis
Terron Terrell Bonnet
Humberto Bouche Marquez
Sebastian Breceda
Ivan Jaron Carranza
Dennis Carroll
Abigail Castanon-Gallardo
Jeremiah Lee Castro
Ashley Elena Chaparro
Arturo Chavez
Daniela Contreras
Kamila Alejandra Cordova Lopez
Julian I. Corral
Giselle Crispin
Ruby Cuevas
Victor Anton Delgado
Nubia Cristal Diaz
Miguel A. Escobar
Alan Esquivel
Christa Nicole Estrada
Tony Flores
Christian Franco
Jeff Galvan
Dyana Garza
Jazmin Gomez
Richard Allan Gomez
Melissa Gomez Valenzuela
Jesus F. Gonzalez
Ashely Jazmin Gutierrez
Alessa Yahany Hernandez Fernandez
Francisco Javier Herrera
Marisol Herrera
Nichole Renae Herrera
Akbany Yakuri Holguin
Thomas Hunter Holguin
Melanie Hurtado
Julian Manuel Ibarra
Kevin William Jaime
Paola Joanna Jimenez Melendez
Perla Adriana Laca Escandon
Alexa Dayana Laguna
Antonio Leyba III
Nya S. Lomeli
Nancy Mata
Gabriela Berenice McLaurin
Taylor Sheccid Mendez
Christina A. Meraz Jr
Lucas A. Miller
Crystal Maria Montenegro
Evelyn Montes
WOODY L. HUNT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Bachelor of
Business Administration
Accounting
Bryanna Alcantar
Leonardo Algraves
Jose Abraham Alvarado
Jacob Matthew Isaiah Alvarez
Orlando Estevan Alvarez
Rocky Shahbaz Amiri
Abraham E. Apodaca
Annette Michelle Arevalo
Loreley Arzola
Manuel Adrian Avila Lopez
Melissa Maribel Banuelos
Astrid Mariana Barron
Oscar Hiram Barron
Brandon Cesar Beltran
Victoria A. Butler
Jacqueline Carreon
Angel Alberto Chaparro
Jaqueline Chavarria
Laisha Karina Chavez
David Delacruz
Jigme Dhendup
Maximiliano Duran
Jonathan David Espinoza
Ayessa Baltazar Fabro
Analucia Frescas
Rogelio Adrian Gallardo
Steven Sebastian Garcia
Rafael Alejandro Garcia Castillo
German Arnoldo Gomez Ventura
Christopher Guillen Ortega
Linda Ximena Gutierrez Aviles
Raquel Guzman
Roberto Garcia Hernandez
Sergio Alberto Herrera
Evert Herriott
Tiffany Hudson
Matthew Mendez
Pedro Mendoza Jr
Angel Miranda
Veronica G. Miranda
Rebecca Munoz
Dana Sofia Murillo Romero
Suset Andrea Murillo Romero
Ivonne Isela Nevarez
David Manuel Olivas
Daphne A. Ortiz
Marilyn Payan
Ismael Ramirez
Elijah Jacob Smith
Marisol Tarango
Tandin Tshering
Dayana Carolina Valera
Abigail Valverde
Abdiel Ivan Vieyra Soni
Sebastian Villanueva
Congratulations, Class of 2025
Economics Marcela De La Torre
Sebastian Macias Vazquez
Xavier Marin
Marissa Nicole Ramirez
Luis Manuel Rivas Pena
Gilberto Ruiz
Finance
Valeria Itzel Aragon Villaescusa Jr
Fernando Alba Chacon
Francisco Javier Alfaro
Gustavo Santiago Alvidrez-Lopez
Edgar N. Avila
Bruno Bautista
Nicholas Erik Cabral
Rafael Esteban Cano Arras
Priscilla Alessandra Cardenas
Andrew Benjamin Castro
Jasmine Sofia Cedeno
Cesar Raul Cervantes
Melanie Cervantes
Michael A. Chavez
Gabriel Cruz Cordova
Mariana Damian
Xzavier Ruben Davila
Valerie De La Cruz
Mercedes De La Rosa
Karla F. Donlucas
Carlos Duenez
Juan M. Frausto Jr
Hector Isaia Gallegos
Alexys O. Garcia
Julio Garcia
Saul Alberto Garcia
Valeria Nicole Garcia
Mariano M. Garcia-Hernandez
Alexis Gomez
Emiliano Gomez Gutierrez
Vanessa Hernandez
Eduardo Hicks Carrillo
Dylan Andrew Horner
Zachary Vincent Lake
Ana Cristine Lehker
Edgar Gael Lopez Gonzalez
Jesica Paige Love
Elijah J. Mendez
Victor Steven Molina
Jairo Alexis Moreno
Alessandra Danielle Munoz
Michael A. Pacheco
Celia Daniela Pando De Anda
Aaron Joseph Petersen
Oscar Emilio Prieto Villasana
Ricardo Quintana
Natalia Li Ramirez
Maylene Giselle Ramos
Samara Elise Reynaga
Diego Ivan Rivera
Nora Karina Rueda
Johnathon Michael Salas Jr
Beatrice Areli Saucedo
Kevin Eduardo Serrano
Anchondo
Pamela Vargas
Agnes Sutyen Viel
Cassandra Villar
Gerardo E. Villela
CONGRATULATIONS
Faheem Zahir
Finance/Accounting
Christian Rico
Finance/Computer
Information Systems
Irvinng Elihu Rascon Lerma
General Business
Bryan Dominguez
Amalia Carolina Herrera
Aaliyah Alize Hita
Jennifer Teresa Schmidt
Jayana Simon Sims
Alexandrea P. Solis
Information Systems
Seth Farris Sprecher
Luis Fernando Vargas
Information Systems &
Business Analytics
Janette Ackerman
Mason Joe Bishop
Victor Hugo Bosquez
Yvan Dorantes
Roberto Daniel Eager
Eduardo Ivan Flores
Marcos Israel Fuentes
Joseph Cruz Lucero
Jelisa Nicole Lugo
Lizeth Ivonne Martinez
Marco Antonio Medina Gomez Jr
Ernesto Poblano
Andrew Javier Ramirez
Christian Isahi Ruiz
James Isaias Williams Jr.
International Business
Javier Alvarez Escalera
Perla Stephanie Barrera-Lira
Anyer Alesi Calderon
Carmen Carrillo
Jose Luis Davalos Jr
Juanjose Flores-Hawley
Jayde Nicole Gone
Natalie Gonzalez
Daniela Paola Huereca
James Joseph Kinson
Dania P. Lopez
Diego Lopez
Sophia Alejandra Nevarez
Aylin Quintana
Andres A. Ramos
Rheanna Nicole Rincon
David Salcedo
Dennis James Sipe
Breanna Michell Solis Lopez
Douglas Soria
Stacy Suarez-Avila
Lembit Venegas Kupper
Management
Vanessa Alvarez
Andrea Aramburo
Jose Isdiel Armendariz Jr
Karina Barboza
Estephanie Beltran
Gabriella Contreras
Sofia Diaz
Jesus Enrique Dominguez
Rosas
Jorge Duenas Abin Jr
Beatriz Elias
Ivan Escobar
Guillermo Artur Favela
Amy Sofia Fernandez Mena
Victor Dali Fernandez Morales
Katia Anai Flores
Michael A. Gallardo III
Karen Giselle Gamboa
Esmeralda Rene Gaytan
Belen Gomez
Leeroy Gonzalez Jr
Roberto G. Gonzalez
Alejandro Gurrola
Akyra Gutierrez
Ana Lorene Hegeman
Mauricio A. Herrera Garcia
Cristina Marie Lopez
Marco Andres Lopez
Michael A. Medina
Maria Fernanda Melendez
Elizabeth Ann Nieto
Jorge Luis Ortez III
Grecia Estefania Paniagua
Alex Parada
Jennifer L. Perez
Jesus Alejandro Reza
Hannibal Rodriguez
Ricardo Rojas
Rene Alejandro Rubio Jr
Brenda Jasmin Sanchez
Alyssa Danielle Solis
Jonathan Trujillo
Dominick Antho Turner
Rodrigo T. Valle
Maria Cristina Vargas
Mariangela Vera
Alondra Villalobos
Veronica Villanueva
Caiden R. Wackler
Marketing
Nabeth Aguilar
Kendall Diane Angulo
Dylan Anthony Baca
Isabella Cepeda
Alexa Nathalia Chacon Rodriguez
Andrea Chavez
Mitchell Ailine Contreras
Melonie Cordero
Karla Michelle Cordova
Marco Antonio Cuellar
Graciela De La Cruz Luna
Julian Arturo Diaz
Isabella Diaz-Sakellakos
Paola Escobar
Aidan B. Felt
Miguel D. Franco
Stephanie Franco
Nicole Garate
Ivanna Garcia
Matthew Sergio Gil
Julia Alejandra Gonzalez
Regina Gonzalez
Alexis Gurrola
Gisselle Gutierrez
Iliana Ferna Hernandez
Maria Isabel Hernandez
Blanca Mariana Hernandez Pardo
Maria Fernanda Hinojosa
Megan Nicole Jones
Breanna C. Lopez
Angelo Jesus Marquez
Genesis Evelyn Medina
Perla Estefania Medrano
Elias Meza
Ximena Montes
Joshua T. Nathan
Fernando Obregon
Carolina Ortega Perez
Alondra Aileen Perez
Nadine Andrea Perez-Ibarra
Alissa Aurora Quintana
Nathan Eric Ramirez
Miranda Paola Rangel
Valeria Resendiz-Vargas
Missy Leah Rivera
Damaris Sophia Rodriguez
John E. Rodriguez
Katia Ruiz
Brianna Rae Saenz
Antonio Abelino Sanchez
Rosa A. Sanchez
Jayden Emory Taylor
Paulina Uribe Preciado
Alejandro Valdes
Alejandro Valenzuela
Reily Rasec Valenzuela
Jeedith Priscila Velarde
Adriana Gabriela Villalobos
Operations &
Supply Chain Management
Jasmin Borrego
Arianna Camargo
Cesar De La O
Marc A. Garcia
Jonathan Gonzalez
Ricardo Lopez
Viktor Isac Magana Villaruel
Izabela Martinez
Edgar Meraz
Jonathan Nunez
Bryan Adrian Rangel
Aidan James Sinquefield
Jason J. Vargas
Victoria Nicole Vasquez
Scripted grad advice
Photo by Tori Adler/The Prospector
VIVIEN
Graduation can be an exciting time that fills graduates with pride as they reach this milestone. However, hidden underneath
graduation caps are minds full of doubt and anxiety over the future.
Handshake reported that 2025 seniors are feeling overwhelmed with negativity over the job market.
According to Handshake’s research,
57% of students from the class of 2025 have pessimistic thoughts about starting their careers. This fear of the future can come from worries such as financial concerns, fear of entering the workplace, feeling isolated and finding purpose in the middle of it all.
In a time when the future often feels overwhelming, comfort can be found in two places: the warmth of the past and the wisdom of those who have already walked the same path. For the class of 2025, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) alumni offer five key lessons along with classic lines from films to help navigate post graduation life.
When overwhelmed with anxiety: “Just keep swimming”- Dory from Finding Nemo (2003) When feeling trapped with pessimism and anxiety, many students’ responses are to automatically freeze. According to UTEP alum Alondra Cavazos, the key is turning anxiety into action.
Cavazos graduated from UTEP in December 2024, with a degree in biological sciences. She works
as an oral surgical assistant and is preparing for a career in dentistry. Like other graduates, Cavazos knows how it feels to be uncertain about the future.
“I handled my uncertainty and anxiety by staying actively involved in the field I am pursuing. It’s easy to compare yourself with other people, but I’ve come to learn that everyone has unique circumstances and different journeys,” Cavazos said. “What mattered most is keeping my end goal in sight. Staying connected to the field reminds me why I chose this path in the first place and helps me push through moments of doubt.”
Cavazos says a great way to get involved is by attending job fairs and networking events, researching more industries and roles, participating in activities such as community service and volunteering, depending on which industry they want to get into.
When handling a tough job market: “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”Mulan (1998)
Career Plug reported that in 2024
the applicant-to-interview ratio was 3%. This can be discouraging to students, especially when they compare themselves to other people around them or social media.
Eunice Gonzalez understands the pressure; she graduated with a degree in graphic design earlier this year and is currently working at a marketing agency in El Paso.
“The biggest challenge was finding a job.” Gonzalez said. “Right alongside that challenge was the feeling of not being good enough. The professional world feels like a scary monster, and there were many times I doubted myself, my abilities and my skills. I truly believe it’s key to have some self-confidence. It’s a fun mix of trusting your skills, having the courage to jump into the unknown, and keeping a ‘never stop learning’ attitude.”
Diego Campos Luna graduated with a bachelor’s in industrial engineering in December 2024. and will be graduating from his master’s in manufacturing engineering this December 2025. read MORE at
The start of the post-graduation job search may cause seniors to feel they need to prove themselves in a competitive and uncertain job market.
Arts & Culture
Abby Pedroza, editor
Artists at UTEP: The raw journey of artist Leslie Ulloa-Pollock
Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a three-part series that covers graduating art majors from UTEP and their accomplishments throughout their careers.
Leslie Ulloa-Pollock is a 22-yearold University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) student majoring in studio art with a concentration in printmaking. She exhibited her first solo art show back in September of this year and was a part of a program at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown. However, her path has evolved just like her artistic technique.
Back in high school, UlloaPollock participated in the engineering magnet program at Chapin High School. She was unsure as to what to do after graduation, but when she was awarded the Terry Scholarship, she decided to pivot from engineering into the arts.
“I was lucky enough to actually get the Terry scholarship foundation, so they allowed me to actually pursue a career that I wanted opposed to a career that I needed,” Ulloa-Pollock said.
Ulloa-Pollock always had a passion for the arts, back in the pandemic she would spend her time drawing in her room. Pursuing a career in the creative field felt natural to her. However, with the help of UTEP faculty members and keeping her mind open, she was able to find her way into studio art.
“As for pursuing art here at the
university, I am very on the weird path. I had started in digital media production but ended up straying away from that. Since I’m not one to really like sitting at the computer, I went ahead and opted for a class and a major that I had never even heard about until I started here for printmaking,”
Ulloa-Pollock said. “I have the most amazing mentor, Navin Gonzalez, who ended up enabling me and pushing me to pursue the full major, as opposed to just doing it as a minor. I’m incredibly happy with what I decided to do.”
Printmaking is an art form that involves transferring an image from a matrix such as a woodblock or metal plate to a surface, most commonly paper. While completing the required introductory art courses for a B.F.A. in studio art at UTEP, Ulloa-Pollock discovered her passion for the discipline.
Even though she specializes in printmaking, she defines herself as a multimedia artist. Her work has expanded beyond paper. In her recent collections she has designed a jacket and bra to represent vulnerability in relationships, inspired by her own relationship with her partner.
“My favorite piece that I’ve made at the university has to be the jackets and the bra, especially because I made them as a representation of my relationship with my partner,” Ulloa-Pollock said. “I made each of the pieces to where they tear every time you put them on, so that it shows that vulnerability and that essential,
rawness that you’re giving to your partner, and you’re just kind of letting them see you. You’re choosing to see if they’re going to break your heart.”
Ulloa-Pollock describes her work as “painfully natural and emotionally upfront.” As an artist, she doesn’t shy away from making viewers feel something; she believes art becomes truly powerful when it makes the comfortable feel uncomfortable. Through her creative work, she addresses important and difficult subjects such as child abuse and the harmful effects of pornography.
She has also recently transitioned into photography, starting her journey as an entrepreneur by photographing weddings and events. Despite the commercial trends in the photography world, she continues to maintain her distinct artistic style in every shot, blending business with creative vision.
“People hire you [the photographer] based off of your ability and your technique and your style of things. You [the client] are investing in this individual that’s going to capture you. You want them to photograph your essence, not just how you look, because I feel like a lot of times, and I’m very adamant about this, especially when it comes to current day photographers, they just take pictures, they just click the button. They don’t take the time to meet the people behind the camera. They don’t take the time to invest in understanding why this person wants these photographs,” Ulloa-
Pollock said.zz “I want to hear your story. I truly do live by the ideology where it’s like, you never know what somebody is going through until you talk to them. And the smallest interaction you can give somebody can really change the way they feel about themselves.”
Ulloa-Pollock acknowledges that pursuing a career in the arts can be challenging. Even so, she encourages anyone considering this path to reflect on their “why” and trust themselves throughout the journey. She believes the words of her art professor from when she was 18 could help anyone making this decision.
“You have to want it enough for you to have it, and for you to have it, you have to want it more than anybody else around you. You have to want it more for yourself than anybody could ever want it for you,” Ulloa-Pollock said.
Looking ahead, Ulloa-Pollock hopes to continue her artistic education and expand her photography business, all while staying committed to creating work that expresses something meaningful with the hopes of inviting viewers to question themselves through her pieces of art.
Keep
Local artist, Leslie Ulloa-Pollock, is set to graduate in December with a major in studio art and a concentration in printmaking. Photo by Aylin Montanez/The Prospector
Vivien Noe C. is a staff reporter at The Prospector and can be reached at vgnoe@miners.utep.edu
Ulloa-Pollock a jacket art piece as a representation of vulnerability in her relationship. Photo by Aylin Montanez/ The Prospector
Leslie Ulloa-Pollock is a local talent that, even when concentrating on printmaking, has made several different pieces that don’t always follow the same pattern. Photo by Aylin Montanez/The Prospector
Artists at UTEP: Julyet Carrillo, the artist inspired by two borderlands
Editor’s Note: This is the third part of a three-part series that covers graduating art majors from UTEP and their accomplishments throughout their careers.
Julyet Carrillo is a studio art major at the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP). She is graduating this fall semester and recently presented her solo exhibition “Transe Calle,” which was showcased in October. Carrillo’s exhibition functioned as a thesis, showcasing her work and growth from the last four years. From a personal video of her cutting her own hair, to a Japanese paper diary that resembles one from
her childhood, she incorporated elements to symbolize the way she has found herself through art.
“I always grew up around doodles and coloring books, just like little kids do, but I never thought it was something I could pursue as a major or a career,” Carrillo said.
It wasn’t until she heard of the graphic design program at UTEP that she decided to pursue art as a career. In her freshman year, she took a printmaking class and connected with the art form deeply.
“I think I was a freshman, and all of the classes were full, and they were like, ‘Oh, you need to be in printmaking.’ And when I was little in the little town I am from, Chiapas, Mexico, there was a person that did scrimping on
t-shirts, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s cool. I want to do that’,” Carillo said. “When I came to UTEP, I found out printmaking included screen prints. I like print making, it is very diverse.”
At UTEP, Carrillo found a way to take inspiration from her cultural background and incorporated those elements into her pieces. She has also added elements from her home, El Paso.
“I was born here in El Paso, I could say I’m the daughter of two borderlands because where I grew up in Chiapas, it is basically the frontera with Guatemala,” Carrillo said.
Her cultural background served as an inspiration for her solo exhibition, where she showcased pieces influenced by her mother’s Zapoteco roots. One of the standout pieces, “Ma, I want to go back to where I was happy,” features titles in the Zapoteco language and reflects her deep connection to that heritage. This piece earned the award for Best New Media and Conceptual Art.
“It basically comes from my roots and my heritage, but it also comes from this place of trying to find my identity and trying to find a place for me,” Carrillo said. “My solo exhibition title was ‘Transe Calle’ and the meaning of it is because we’re in constant change. The word transe comes from a change and constant moving.”
Carrillo also adds her own story into her art, using art as a way of understanding the relationships with those around her, and even with herself. In her work
“Sumergidas,” an emotional piece that consists of pillows, she represents her relationship with her girlfriend, as well as mixing traditional and innovative elements.
“It’s all about trying to find who I am, and for example, these exhibitions help us in building portfolios,” Carillo said. “But on the personal side, it does help us
in trying to find our aesthetic and our style.”
Carrillo recognizes the challenges of pursuing a career in art, however, she believes her trajectory is proof that there are a lot of opportunities out there. She completed two internships during her undergraduate career. In 2023 she was an intern at the Smithsonian where she participated in the Latino Museum Studies Program and is currently an intern at the Rubin Center of Visual Arts.
read MORE at theprospectordaily.com
Julyet Anay Carrillo, local artist, reflects the themes of transition and self-discovery, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Photo by Aylin Montanez/The Prospector
The bow resting on Carrillo’s head, one of the pieces shown in her exhibition “Trance Callejero,” is one of her most personal works. Photo by Aylin Montanez/The Prospector
Graduating theatre students experience the grand finale
With the fall 2025 ceremony approaching, three graduating theatre students are bidding goodbye to The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) with a fond smile as they embark on a new chapter in life.
Ariyana Anaya, a senior theatre art’s student had an initial plan to become a professional basketball player, but an introduction to the world of theatre prompted a shift in her path. While she didn’t lose interest in the sport, nothing made her feel more alive than performing on stage.
“It’s like a weird mix of feeling inspired myself and also feeling that it’s not a thing of power, but it’s a thing of knowing that I have the control to inspire other people around me,” Anaya said. “It’s just like knowing that I helped or that I touched someone in a way.”
The most difficult moment of her time as a theatre student came during her freshman year, when she was cast in a production but stepped down due to severe anxiety. The decision was best for her mental health, but self-doubt soon became inescapable.
“I struggled with comparing myself to my fellow talented actors,” Anaya said. “They were doing all these shows, and I hadn’t even done one, so I was struggling with that
fear of missing out, and I just had to remember — and I still have to remind myself — that my path is my own, and it’s very different from anyone else’s.”
She has appeared in eight plays since and reflects on how her involvement in theatre continued to grow over time despite the setbacks she encountered.
After graduation, Anaya plans to pursue a master’s degree in acting and hopes to work as a theatre artistic director. Anaya said that the well-rounded education provided by UTEP professors and her onstage experience have given her the confidence to follow this path.
While Anaya is excited for a new beginning, she reflects on her time in college theatre with esteem. Her roles included work tied to topics important to her, such as the Zoot Suit Riots during the Chicano movement. She found the experience to be rewarding and hopes that those who are considering a career in theatre know how impactful their involvement can be.
“Life is very short, and I believe that we shouldn’t live it for anyone else but ourselves, and if theatre or any performing arts is what makes you happy, then do it. This world needs art, it needs performers, it needs people who aren’t afraid to speak out, and I think art is a beautiful way to do so,” Anaya
said. “If you find a passion in doing art, I feel like it is not only helping yourself, but you are also helping everyone.”
Mauricio Gonzalez, a theatre senior, defied people’s expectations, and his family disapproved of what he wanted to devote his life to.
“When I told my mom, she didn’t like [my career choice],” Gonzalez said. “No one likes that their boy, ‘the man,’ does art.”
He realized that if he was going to put significant effort into college, it should be toward a field he was passionate about. Gonzalez knows firsthand the amount of courage needed in the face of insecurity and a lack of support.
“I would say to someone afraid to do theatre, to audition for a show and be in an actual play, participate in what acting is, because that’s when you know the answer; whether to keep pursuing it or not,” Gonzalez said.
His passion for acting has evolved into a sense of responsibility, as he always wants to properly convey a character’s story. Over the two to three months of preparation for each semester’s play, he rehearses for more than 20 hours a week. The biggest challenge for Gonzalez has been juggling coursework, two part-time jobs and rehearsals. Yet, he doesn’t regret his decision.
“I’ve learned so much about who I am, who I want to be, what I
want to do with my life, and my purpose,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez is aware of the obstacles he will encounter postgraduation, including rejection when he sets off on a year of auditions in New York City and Los Angeles.
read MORE at theprospectordaily.com
CONTRIBUTOR THE PROSPECTOR
BRISA SILVA B Y
The places we leave behind at UTEP
Oriams Garcia, who is majoring in media advertising.
As graduation peeks around the corner covered in snow and smelling like hot chocolate. Almost all The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) seniors have a go-to spot on campus to find solace. Many use these key spots to recharge, study, congregate, escape or just simply take a nap to pass time before the next class.
Some seniors go to these areas for their peaceful aesthetics, like senior
“My favorite spot to be at is in the Interdisciplinary Research Building, as it’s nearby Cotton Memorial where most of my classes are,” Garcia said.
She also mentions how she’ll miss certain areas on campus such as the libary, as she associates it with many memories and has met even friends for the first time in that building.
Garcia continues reflecting on her college experience, dealing with
personal losses, but ultimately she found avenues through life-long friendships and participating in the Student Advertising Federation.
After graduation, she hopes to continue working part-time at a marketing agency to someday move somewhere with more nature, one step at a time.
“Some advice I would give to upcoming undergraduate students would be that you don’t have to be on a specific timeline,” Garcia said. “If your timeline deviates from someone else’s timeline, it’s okay. College is for you and your future, so even if plans fall through, it won’t be the end of the world.”
Taking a b-line towards the studio art department, Nina Rocha is soon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a double major in drawing and painting.
“The painting studios are a shared space, and my spot where I normally chill and do all my work, even if the work isn’t related to art. It’s reliable.” Rocha said.
Rocha mentions what she’ll miss most from UTEP is the community, who welcomed her with open arms. She also recalls that many of her professors have helped set her on a path where she can pursue her passion for studio art.
Born in Southern California, she plans to move back to big cities
like New York or Chicago and continue improving her portfolio for grad school.
In the end, no matter what walk of life people come from, there’ll always be that one spot they go to
unwind, study, commute or even call home. Whether you do it alone or with a group of friends, it’s never always boring.
Dustin Perez is a contributing cartoonist and may be reached at dperez@miners.utep.edu
Oriams Garcia studies at the Interdisciplinary Research Building. Photo by Dustin Perez/The Prospector
Nina Rocha finds solace in a space where she can express herself freely and creatively. Photo by Dustin Perez/The Prospector
Sports
Kristian Hernandez, editor
The Last DANCE
As the 2025 season comes to a close, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) volleyball team makes its final strides of success. Under the guidance of Head Coach Ben Wallis, the team ended its season with a 25-4 overall record, becoming Conference USA (C-USA) Regular Season Champions for the first time with a 15-1 conference record (.862). They are also ranked 16th in the NCAA women’s volleyball rating percentage index (RPI) ranking as of Dec. 2.
Since joining the team within the past six years, Head Coach Ben Wallis has established a new standard for the volleyball program, growing together as both players and individuals. Many of these Miners are also in their final year of athletic eligibility, ending their last seasons with focus, determination and a range of emotions.
As the senior players reflect on their time at UTEP, they shared how the team has impacted them, what they will take away and what they hope the future will look like for themselves and future miners.
Middle blocker Danika Washington is a graduate student, pursuing her master’s in leadership studies. She became a Miner as a junior in 2023 but has since become a defensive/offensive
powerhouse for the team. She ended this season with 104 blocks and a .366 hitting percentage, earning her First Team AllConference honor and a C-USA Offensive Player of the Week title during week 10. Washington felt proud of her performance, feeling the impact the team has made during her last year. One of her main takeaways is positivity, despite whatever challenges may come.
“I am really big on being positive, and I preach a lot of positivity to my team and Coach Ben [Wallis]…I think I got that a lot from him because in high, stressful moments, or games that mean a lot, you just have to relax and be positive sometimes, and I think my team appreciates that too from me,” Washington said.
She explained that, as a graduate student, her sports and academic lives are better balanced with time and experience. As Washington explores a possible future between going pro and finding a career to settle down for, she shared advice for future Miners joining the team.
“Be patient. Patience is really big, especially as a younger player... Just be patient and let it ride. As long as you work hard and keep that positivity, it’ll work out for you,” Washington said.
Outside hitter Ema Uskokovic is also a graduate student studying business administration. She became a Miner in 2021 and is now a redshirt senior for the team. She has since shown her growth and resilience as a player, even becoming a recipient of the C-USA Jim Castañeda Postgraduate Scholarship earlier this year.
Uskokovic explained how the team has overcome many challenges this season and how she felt being a part of it.
“I just feel proud. I feel fulfilled and happy to see the support we have managed to get from the city of El Paso and the amount of people we have at our games. I loved joining the program and helping it grow, and for it to keep growing,” Uskokovic said. “It’s something I’ll definitely carry for the rest of my life…the feeling of being a part of something that’s bigger than me.”
Uskokovic also acknowledged the mixed emotions of playing with her teammates in their final season.
“I think I found some comfort knowing this is not my last year… but I am definitely sad to see all the seniors leave. Those are some of my closest friends. I’ve been here the longest with them, so [it’s] kind of emotional,” Uskokovic said.
Uskokovic shared that she’s grown not just as a player, but as a person, giving her own advice to future Miners who join the program.
“Enjoy anything you do and just keep working hard. If you keep working hard and trusting the process, you’ll succeed no matter what,” Uskokovic said.
Middle blocker Kaya Weaver is a senior majoring in kinesiology. She first joined the team in 2022 and was named the 2025 C-USA Preseason Player of the Year and earned Second Team AllConference honors. She achieved 144 kills with a .420 hitting percentage across 19 games before suffering an injury to her Achilles that cut her last season short.
Despite not being able to play the rest of the season, Weaver said she is proud of her team’s ability to bounce back from the unexpected.
“I feel like I am not fulfilled with how I finished because it’s my senior year, and I won’t get this year back, but I’m very happy and proud of my team, because we’ve dealt with a lot of injuries this year,” Weaver said. “I feel like a lot of teams can’t really bounce back and deal with all that pressure.”
Reflecting on her time at UTEP, Weaver recognized the impact her team has made outside of campus.
“Everywhere we go, we get noticed…especially being in El Paso, it just means a lot. There’s a lot of girls that know you; there’s a lot of people that recognize you at the grocery store, and they want to say ‘Hi’ and they want to say, ‘Good job’ or ‘Good luck,’” Weaver said. “I think it’s just a really good testament of what we’ve done.”
Weaver attributed her growth to Coach Wallis, explaining her hope for future Miner volleyball players to experience his teaching. She also finds comfort in knowing she’ll play volleyball again once she heals, hoping to go pro in the future.
“I do want to play professionally because I know I can still represent UTEP that way. It sucks that I’m not going to play with this group of girls because they are amazing. They are so talented,” Weaver said. “I just love them a lot. We are sisters. We are a family, through everything.”
Setter Mattie Gantt is a senior majoring in kinesiology and joined the team in 2022. This regular season, Gantt achieved a .382 attack percentage and defended with 166 digs. She was named the
B Y
(From left to right) Ema Uskokovic, Sara Pustahija, Mattie Gantt, Torrence Lovesee, Danika Washington, and Kaya Weaver are the graduating class of 2025 this fall. Photo by Sadie Briones/The Prospector
Scan the QR code to see Multimedia Editor Sebastian Perez-Navarro go into detail about the Miners returning to the NCAA tournament.
VOLLEYBALL QUALIFIER VIDEO
of the Week alongside her junior setter teammate, Kalia Kohler. As she plays in her final weeks, Gantt shared her own takeaways.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself [and] I’ve learned a lot about the mental game of sports and competition. One piece of advice Ben Wallis told me is that you don’t have to feel your best to play your best,” Gantt said.
While she said her future after UTEP is still unknown, Gantt expressed her thanks to her family and friends who supported her. She also shared her hopes future Miners who join the team.
“As future Miners come in, I just hope they continue the way that this culture has been built, and continue that through their years here at UTEP,” Gantt said. “It really is something special, and it’s really something us seniors cherish.”
Outside hitter Sara Pustahija is a senior majoring in operations and supply chain management. She first joined in 2022 and ended the regular season with 253 kills, 178 digs and a First Team All-Conference honor. Pustahija acknowledged the initiative she has taken this season, as well as her team’s growth.
“Being a veteran and being a senior, that kind of carried the weight. I think me and Torrance [Lovesee] both stepped up with a lot of injuries this year. It’s kind of sad we’re leaving now. All these other seniors [and I] want the younger girls that are here with us
now to succeed even more; to make history that’s even more impactful,” Pustahija said.
Pustahija emphasized the importance of networking and teamwork, skills she plans to use as she tries to go pro in her career.
She expressed her thanks to her family and friends overseas and hopes future Miners build strong relationships within the team.
“Trust your teammates and build the connections. That’s what helps you survive here,” Pustahija said.
“I feel like our coaching staff does an amazing job at giving them our culture and supporting them in every single way,”
Outside hitter Torrance Lovesee is a redshirt senior majoring in biological science. As a leading offensive team member, she finished her last regular season with 320 kills and 190 digs across all 29 games of the semester. She earned a First Team All-Conference honor and became the 14th Miner to pass 1,000 kills during her time at UTEP. However, Lovesee emphasized the importance of putting the team first.
“I’ve expressed that a lot to my coaches. As long as my performances can help us win and gets us to the end of the season…knowing that our team has accomplished so many things together, that’s what matters to me more,” Lovesee said.
Lovesee recognized the impact the volleyball program has had before her career at UTEP and is happy to set a new standard for UTEP volleyball. She shared how she’s
grown to be more open with her team over the years.
“Mentally, I’ve always been so internal and always had to do things by myself,” Lovesee said. “Being part of a team that does everything together – it took a while, multiple years to finally get out of my shell and just be able to be vulnerable with my teammates and allow them to help me.”
Lovesee expressed the challenge of wanting to go to medical school after her time at UTEP, but remains confident in her persistence and support from others. It’s that support that she hopes younger Miners know they’ll have on the team, both on and off campus.
“My family and friends have been nothing but supportive. They have done more than I think they know,” Lovesee said. “The people here, too. Our El Paso fans, coming and supporting, whether we win or lose, because they know how much we appreciate that, it speaks volumes.”
As her final season comes to a close, Lovesee shared one final piece of advice for future Miners.
“Just being yourself…having a personality that is never changing. Whether it be our team or any team you try to play volleyball for, you just have to be yourself,” Lovesee said.
Wallis, who arrived at UTEP in 2018, has helped lead the women’s volleyball team to where it is now. The last seven seasons have seen them reach new milestones and accomplishments, including...
read MORE at theprospectordaily.com
Danika Washington, the middle blocker for The University of Texas at El Paso, is one of the five players who will be leaving the team after the 2025 season. Photo by Sadie Briones/The Prospector
Originating from Belgrade, Serbia, Sara Pustahija is the outside and right-side hitter for The University of Texas at El Paso volleyball team. Coming a long way from home, she has secured her spot as one of the volleyball players that helped UTEP reach the NCAA tournament twice.
Photo by Sadie Briones/The Prospector
A hidden gem: Making a home in El Paso
Graduation is just days away, and for many University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) students that moment marks the beginning of something new, often far from home. It’s a familiar pattern as athletes and non-athletes alike earn their degrees and head to bigger cities, bigger programs and reach bigger opportunities.
Some athlete graduates choose to stay in the Sun City, building careers and lives beyond their sport. Former UTEP women’s basketball player Jareica Hughes did it years ago, returning to become an assistant coach for the very team she once played on.
Now, senior mechanical engineering major and beach volleyball player Madison Hill may be following a similar path. A four-year UTEP athlete and one of the first members of the university’s beach volleyball team, Hill is graduating but not necessarily leaving her hometown.
Born and raised in El Paso, Hill briefly considered schools like Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University. Ultimately, choosing UTEP allowed her to pursue engineering, compete in both indoor and beach volleyball and stay close to the community that shaped her.
“I have family here, and a good community,” Hill said. “Staying
here, there’s lots of opportunities. I want to continue playing volleyball and having such a high-level program in the city with coaches and players that I’m very close to. It’s definitely an asset.”
Hill joined UTEP’s indoor volleyball team in 2022 and was among the first recruited for the university’s new beach volleyball program launched by volleyball
“I had never really played beach volleyball before, but I love volleyball and was willing to try it. We only had two people who had played beach volleyball before, and everybody else was more than willing to try. We had a pretty fun year,” Hill said.
Volleyball, has influenced her far beyond the court, teaching her
the importance of adaptability, teamwork and resilience.
“I really love volleyball, and I’m very competitive. Being successful is important to me,” Hill said.
“I always strive to be great, and I’m very adaptable because of the tenacity that beach volleyball taught me.”
What Hill says she’ll miss most isn’t just playing; it’s her team.
“Being able to push nine to 11 other people to be successful is so much fun. When I’m down, someone can lift me up, and when they’re down, I lift them up. Playing post grad is never like that,’” Hill said. “So, I’ll definitely miss the team aspect and compete with somebody else.”
Still, Hill doesn’t plan on fully cutting ties. She hopes to continue playing in Association of Volleyball Professionals tournaments and is considering becoming a graduate assistant for the UTEP volleyball program, possibly stepping into coaching one day like her father.
“I’ve always wanted to be a coach. My dad’s a volleyball coach, and I coached with him for about two years. I think that I’ve learned so much, and it’s a lot of fun to share that with young people,” Hill said.
Alongside volleyball, Hill is passionate about engineering, particularly additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI) and mechanics.
“A year ago, if you would have asked me, I would have said that I wanted to do just project-based design. But now I have gone into more coding and AI, and I am liking that a lot, especially with how much it’s growing,” Hill said.
As an El Paso native, Hill recognizes the pressure many student athletes feel to leave.
Head Coach Ben Wallis in 2023.
Madison Hill plans to continue her journey in volleyball post-graduation as a coach, following her father’s coaching footsteps. Photo by Lesly Chavez/The Prospector
From underdog to C-USA Coach of the Year
Prior to 2019, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) was not widely regarded as a dominant volleyball program. Over the past few seasons, the team has grown from largely overlooked to increasingly respected, both within Conference USA (C-USA) and at the national level.
The shift seen on the court reflects the work of the players along with the steady influence of a leader who has spent much of his life feeling like an underdog — Ben Wallis.
Wallis’ coaching journey didn’t start with a clear path to success. It began as a player and volunteer coach, shaped by mentors who saw his potential early on.
At New Mexico State University, volleyball Head Coach Mike Jordan invited him back as a volunteer coach, and that’s when Wallis realized maybe the role suited him well.
“Every team I was on, I felt like an underdog. My basketball team had two future NBA players, our football team had half a dozen Division One athletes, and our baseball team had three future pros. That experience shaped the way I coach — always with a chip on my shoulder and a drive to prove what’s possible,” Wallis said.
Previous coaches like Flo Valdez at Franklin High School and Jordan
taught him patience, observation, and the value of learning from every opportunity, all lessons he later used to build UTEP’s resilient and disciplined culture.
Landing the head coach job in 2019, Wallis quickly established a recipe for success that emphasized growth on and off the court, treating his team like students and young athletes learning life lessons.
“Coaching is a lot like being a parent. You push hard, you have patience, and you let players grow,” Wallis said. “We treat our team like students and kids — giving guidance, holding them accountable, and helping them become better athletes and people.”
He says he invests in his players beyond volleyball, taking time out of his own life to meet with them individually, talk over coffee, walk around campus or discuss life.
Wallis said this approach built genuine and trusting connections, transforming players from raw talents to those who exemplify the team’s selfless competitive spirit, helping players mature into confident, disciplined competitors under his mentorship.
Wallis’ success as a head coach stems from doing things his own way, tailoring his approach to fit the team rather than utilizing traditional methods.
“Don’t do it the way everyone else does it. Every team is different,
and we’ve built our own style and brand. We keep our circle small, focus on our players and staff. Not everybody can play here, and that’s okay. We find the players who fit our style, our culture and El Paso and that’s what’s brought our success,” Wallis said.
After a historic regular season, where the team posted a 25-4 record and reached 16th in the ratings percentage index (RPI), the highest in program history. The team’s achievements under Wallis earned him his first C-USA Coach of the Year honor.
“Coach of the Year is more a reflection of the team. We had 18 players, lost several to injury, yet still won 25 games. The award shows the resilience of our staff and players — what impresses me most is how everyone overcame adversity together,” Wallis said.
Even with key players sidelined, the team adapted and leaned on one another, maintaining the standard of excellence Wallis instilled. The award highlights the programs culture Wallis has built: one defined by accountability, determination and trust.
Looking ahead, Wallis signed with an extension through 2029, fully committed to taking the volleyball program to even greater heights. He reflected on the goals his team already achieved.
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is the home to this year’s Conference USA Coach of the Year Ben Wallis. After qualifying for the NCAA tournement for the first time in 2024, the Miners will be returning for a consecutive season. Photo by Sadie Briones/The Prospector