Connect with Us!
Fall 2018Connect with Us! is a quarterly newsletter that features a UTEP Connect online program and the faculty, staff and students associated with it. Featured Program: Online BA in Chicano Studies
Image by Ernesto Martinez, Chicano Studies Artist-in-Residence
The online BA in Chicano Studies is ideal for professionals seeking to work in positions (both in the private and public sector) that require knowledge of the Mexican origin population together with literacy and digital communication skills. Students in the program will - Learn about the history and contributions of the Mexican origin population to the United States
- Examine patterns of urban/rural settlement and
employment of the Mexican origin population on the U.S.-Mexico border, compared to other regions
- Develop a wide variety of skills including oral and written communication in English and Spanish (all course work is in English), cross-cultural communication, research, digital communication, analytic and problem-solving skills
- Acquire knowledge of binational dynamics that affect commerce, population movements and politics
Students will also have the opportunity to link what they learn in the program with
other disciplines and professional careers and think critically about issues such as race, ethnicity, class and gender.
UTEP EdgeOur student success initiative, the UTEP Edge, develops upon our students’ assets through a variety of high-impact experiences. These experiences are designed to improve student skills and give UTEP students a competitive advantage as they move forward in their lives and careers. Our goal as a campus is
to provide these UTEP Edge experiences to all of our students, regardless of their area of study, so they will graduate with a competitive advantage over their peers. UTEP Edge experiences our Chicano Studies students will have
UTEP Edge skills/advantages they will graduate with
Stephen PerezStephen is an El Paso native and has lived there for over 52 years. He is a former Over the Road Truck Driver/ Trainer/Instructor with over 25 years in the transportation industry; he recently returned to his position as a Truck Driver Instructor at a local training facility.This is Stephen's second bachelor's degree. He received his first bachelor’s degree in criminal justice this past
December and plans to graduate from the Chicano Studies program in December 2018.
"This program has challenged me to think outside the box and to learn things about my culture that I was not aware of...The professors and advisors (financial and student) have been very supportive and accessible. Their dedication to my success allowed me to accomplish what I never dreamed was possible."
Alejandra Vasquez-Macias Also an El Paso native, Alejandra is a housewife and busy mom of four. Online learning has made it possible for Alejandra return to college for her degree. She almost finished her Education degree in 2011, but at the time, she had two kids and figuring out how to attend traditional classes and do an internship while also making sure they were well looked after was a struggle.
Alejandra jumped at the chance to restart her schooling when UTEP started offering online degree programs through UTEP Connect. The online format is convenient and, in the context of current events, the Chicano Studies program intrigued Alejandra. When she's not busy with school, Alejandra enjoys spending time with her family, doing arts and crafts, and decorating cakes. "I cannot get enough of the material that is being provided to me to educate me in the field. Every class makes me want to teach what I am being taught... I would like to be well-educated and aware of (the) cross-cultural issues and diversity we are surrounded by. Maybe I could help others understand the rich culture Chicanos have to offer."
Courses taught - Societal Issues
- La Chicana
- Colonias on the U.S. - Mexico Border
- Mexican-American History
- Chicana/o Identity Formation: Race, Class, and Gender
- Chicana/o Legal History
- American Immigration and Social Justice
Dr. Irma Montelongo is an Associate Professor of Practice and Online Program Coordinator of the online Chicana/o Studies bachelor's degree program. She has been at UTEP for 11 years and became a full-time lecturer while completing her doctorate in Borderlands History at UTEP. Dr. Montelongo credits her great-grandmother, who escaped the Mexican Revolution and came to the United States in 1915, for her enduring passion for history. Her interest for Border Studies developed as she learned more about Mexican and Chicana/o history and realized that her communities were ill-represented.
"(Regardless of the field they are entering) Chicana/o Studies provides students with a foundation necessary for negotiating cultural diversity and sensitivity in the United States. My advice is to take as much as you can from every course and be sensitive to social, political, and economic diversity."
As an online instructor, Dr. Montelongo enjoys teaching students about their history, culture and communities and seeing them develop pride and
awareness in their communities after taking one of her courses.
She is the recipient of several teaching awards at UTEP including the 2018 Border Hero Award from Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, the College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Lecturer Award, and the UT System’s Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award.
"First and foremost, online students need to have good time management skills...Another characteristic of a good online student is the ability to collaborate with fellow students. Finally, one thing that makes all online students successful is the ability to follow instructions."
Samantharai Yrigoyen, Enrollment Counselor Background: Sam was born and raised in El Paso and is a first-generation college student who was always unsure of what she wanted to do when she “grew up.” At the start of her undergraduate studies at UTEP, Sam took a job working as a work-study in the Office of Admissions. Initially
it was just going to be a part-time job to help her pay her way through school, but she ultimately fell in love with higher education and working with students. She received her BBA in Computer Information Systems from UTEP in the Fall of 2014 and shortly after became a full-time staff member serving online students with UTEP Connect. Wanting to be able to better serve students, Sam then decided pursue a Master of Education in Educational Administration with a concentration in Higher Education Leadership. She dedicated the entirety of my program studying adult learners and the distance learning environment. Programs she works with: Chicano Studies, RN-BSN and Technical & Professional Writing What she does: As an Enrollment Counselor, Sam is an online student’s liaison between the various offices on campus. She answers questions about the online programs and the admissions process and helps students gauge their fit and qualifications for said programs. She is the student’s constant line of communication throughout the enrollment process and helps them feel connected to the University, though they may never step foot on campus. "When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask or reach out for support! There is no such thing as a stupid question and chances are there are plenty of other students wondering the same thing. No matter what challenge you may be facing, there are many support services available that we can help connect you to."
Who is a successful online student? A successful online student is one that takes advantage of available resources and
opportunities...one who practices time-management and doesn’t leave things until the last minute.
Tameka Milligan, Student Success Manager
Background: Tameka is not originally from El Paso, but calls it home. She received her bachelor's and M.Ed. from UTEP and has been passionate about student success both as a student employee and now, in her professional career. Programs she works with: Chicano Studies, RN-BSN and Applied Arts and Sciences
What she does: Tameka is both manager and advisor; as the Student Success Manager she oversees the day-to-day operations of advising and retention. As an advisor, she assists students with degree plans and course registrations, and makes sure they have a successful path to graduation. Her advice to online students? "Be open and understanding; online learning is different and does not follow the same structure as on-campus degree plans." Her
proudest accomplishment and biggest challenge: Tameka is most fulfilled when students return to UTEP to get their degrees. Her biggest challenge is to find new and innovative ways to communicate the information to students.
"A successful online student is someone who has time management skills, plays an active role with the advisor, and owns their educational journey in completing a college degree."
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