Student of the Week

Awards/Honors

President’s Honor List, spring 2005-fall 2006
Alamo Community College District Student of the Month, April 2006
Recognition of Academic Achievement, City of San Antonio , 2006
Who’s Who Among Junior College Students, fall 2006
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Award, spring 2008-spring 2009
Gateway Scholarship, spring 2008-spring 2009
Dean’s List First Honors, spring 2008, fall 2008
Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest, First Place Winner, fall 2008
Selden Leavell Scholarship Award, 2009-2010.

Visit the archives to view previous student profiles.

Mirela Dapo, 33, is a senior at The University of Texas-Pan American and plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and a minor in psychology in May 2010. Dapo is an international student from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prior to transferring to UTPA she graduated with honors and obtained an associate’s degree in criminal justice from St. Philip’s College in San Antonio, Texas. While there, she was the recipient of many academic awards and honors and was elected to present the December 2006 graduation commencement ceremony speech. During that time she worked as a math tutor, was involved in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and volunteered with the San Antonio Police Department. At UTPA, Dapo works with the Sophomore Academic Advising Program and is involved with several student organizations. She is a member of UTPA’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and currently serves as president of Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society and public relations/liaison officer for the Criminal Justice Student Association. Dapo also volunteers with the Hidalgo County Probation Department.

Do you plan to stay in the Valley?

Upon graduation, I plan to work as a probation officer with Hidalgo County. However, the Ph.D. program I am planning on pursuing will eventually take me to Michigan State University.

What has your education done for you?

Though my desire to attend criminal justice school in Bosnia was strong it was nearly impossible for me to get accepted into the program because in my country females were discouraged from attending criminal justice schools and pursuing careers in law enforcement. That is why I came halfway across the world to pursue my dream of becoming a law enforcement agent. Now, I am only two semesters away from fulfilling my dream. My experience, studying in the United States has been invaluable.

How do you feel about your UTPA experience?

UTPA has been and continues to be my stepping stone into what I have always dreamed of doing – becoming a law enforcement agent. UTPA has made a difference in my life, and I have grown not only academically but I have become a far more mature person as well.

What is your best tip for success?

Planning. At the beginning of each semester, I create a personal academic calendar. I write down all major dates for class tests, papers and assignments. Having a nicely organized personal academic calendar has helped me organize my time around attending six classes (19 credit hrs), working part time for Sophomore Academic Advising Program, volunteering with Hidalgo County Probation Dept. and staying active with my student organizations. Without careful planning I would have gone nuts by now. Instead, I’m chugging along just fine … a little busy but nothing I can’t handle.

What advice do you have for college-bound students?

College experience can be difficult. You’ll have to sacrifice a lot. But it’s all worth it. The knowledge, career opportunities and education you will gain are priceless. Never ever give up. It doesn’t matter where you come from, or whether you are a man or a woman. What matters is what you make of yourself. No one can put you down but yourself.