Student of the Week

Awards/Honors

Golden Key Honour Society member, fall 2008-present
Psi Chi member, fall 2008-present
Student Leadership Academy, spring 2008-present
Certified Peer Educator, fall 2007-present
UTPA Ally, fall 2007-present
Student Career Advisor of the Year, spring 2007
Gamma Sigma Alpha, fall 2006-present
Dean’s List, spring and fall, 2006 and fall, 2001
UTPA Duke, 2005 Homecoming
Phi Kappa Theta Texas Tau Mu Chapter’s Most Active Alumni Award, fall 2007

Visit the archives to view previous student profiles.

Andrew Perez, 26, a graduate student at The University of Texas-Pan American, plans to graduate in 2010 with a Master of Arts in clinical psychology. Perez graduated from UTPA in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and a minor in sociology. At UTPA, Perez has been actively involved with the University community. He is an alumnus of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and has served in a variety of roles in his fraternity. He also recently became involved with the Psychology Club, Psi Chi, and Golden Key Hounor Society. Perez was also employed by the Office of Career Services as a student career adviser and a graduate student career adviser for over a year and a half where he assisted students with résumés, marketed office services, and assisted with planning and coordinating career fairs, workshops, and special events. Since July 2008 he has been employed by the Office of Student Development as a graduate student assistant for Student Organization Development, where he assists student organizations and plans, coordinates, and assists with campus programming and services for student organizations.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I would like to find a full-time position at a university’s counseling and psychological center where I can use my degree to work with and help college students. I also plan on pursuing licensure to become a psychological associate and a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Do you plan to stay in the Valley?

I would like to leave the Valley and gain experience and then return so I can use my knowledge and skills to be beneficial where I grew up.

What has your education done for you?

My education has taught me so much. It has prepared me for hard work and taught me to continue striving to learn more. If I had not been pushed and interested in what I wanted to learn I don’t think I would have ever tried to go to graduate school and keep achieving more and more. It taught me not to give up.

How do you feel about your UTPA experience?

The UTPA experience has been excellent for me from start to finish. This University has given me so many opportunities that have allowed me to grow and learn and continues to do so.

What is your best tip for success?

Determination. Don’t ever give up. If you fall get up and try again.

What advice do you have for college-bound students?

Get involved and don’t give up. When you are involved on campus you get the opportunity of meeting so many people who can help you develop and learn important skills outside of the classroom. You may not always do your best; you get distracted, or lose sight of your priorities but don’t stop trying. Take it from someone who took intermediate algebra three times and college algebra twice and made it to graduate school.