Student of the Week

Awards/Honors

Texas Scholar
Jones Academic Endowed Scholarship, 2007-2008
Richard P. Light and Leonel Barrera Memorial Scholarship, 2007-2008
San Juan Middle School Scholarship, 2007-2008
Protégé of the Year for the Student Leadership Program 2008
UTPA Dean’s List, First Honors, fall 2008.

Visit the archives to view previous student profiles.

Victoria Briana Gomez, 20, a junior at The University of Texas Pan-American, plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in rehabilitative services and a minor in leadership in May 2011. Gomez graduated in the top 10 percent of her class in 2007 under the Distinguished Achievement Program from P.S.J.A. High School in San Juan. While attending UTPA, she has been actively involved in the Student Leadership Program and the Ambassador Program. She is a Certified Peer Educator and through this training she is able to mentor incoming freshman. She has also participated as a camp counselor for various Gear-Up and AVID camps. In addition, Gomez is currently secretary of the American Sign Language (ASL) Club and recently completed the Leadershape Institute, a week-long program intended to help develop and improve leadership skills. Gomez has maintained part-time jobs such as a work study for Admissions and New Student Services. She is currently a work study with the Office of Student Life and Transition Services. Outside of the University Victoria is involved in her church, Rock of Ages Assemblies of God in Pharr, where she volunteers with the Children’s Ministry, the youth group and has participated in various skits and plays. She also gives back by volunteering with Make a Difference Day, Keep McAllen Beautiful, H-E-B Feast of Sharing, Adopt-an-Angel, HESTEC, United to Serve, and participating in Edinburg Children’s Hospital visits with the ASL club.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in higher education wherever the Lord leads me. After that I will start my career working in a college setting dealing with students.

Do you plan to return to the Valley?

I love the Valley and everything it has to offer, I see growth here and would love to see what happens and, God willing, even give back. The Valley is a close knit place to live and the perfect place to raise a family.

What has your education done for you?

My education has taught me things I never knew possible. I feel ready to take on what the world has in store for me. My education has showed me other opportunities and careers that would be well suited for me. I came in thinking one major and ended up somewhere else. I am thankful for my education and that it showed me what I am really good at instead of going into something that wasn’t for me.

How do you feel about your UTPA experience?

I am truly happy that I stayed here at UTPA. I have met many different kinds of people through the programs I became involved in and learned things about myself that I had been ignoring all my life. It has helped me gain the knowledge to be the best person that I can be and allowed me to grow as a leader.

What is your best tip for success?

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” – Proverbs 4:23. Listen to your heart and just run with it, find your passion and don’t let anything stop you. Keep in mind that anything worth doing is worth doing one hundred percent.

What advice do you have for college bound students?

Nothing is too big or too small as long as you believe anything is possible. Follow the advice in Proverbs 3:5, 6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.”