Javier Mateos

2019 Graduate, Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies

Javier Mateos was born in Mexico and gained his citizenship in 2017 after living in the United States for 12 years. He graduated from the fully online Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies program in May 2019. Javier plans to go on to get a master’s in higher education at UT San Antonio. He is interested in studying the social elements that define society such as race, class and gender and likes UTSA’s social justice approach to these elements. He also enjoys learning about independent Chicano film and media and exploring the ways in which they spark consciousness about social issues.

Why he enrolled in the program:

I originally attended UTEP in 2006 to pursue a history major but unfortunately, I had to drop out in 2008 due to a family emergency. UTEP Connect was the perfect option for me to go back to school and finish a degree that would allow me to continue my education.

His experience with online learning: 

This was my first time taking online classes. My experience overall has been very positive, I do miss the face-to-face interactions and networking opportunities a traditional class offers but I have managed to endure and build good relationships with some of my professors. (Also), a larger catalog of online classes would have been really nice.

On the support he received as an online student:

I had the support I needed, most of my professors would answer me immediately and Blackboard was always smooth and easy to navigate.

What he would say to prospective online students:

The Multidisciplinary Studies program is a great option that allows you great class flexibility (so you can take) classes you are more interested in. In my opinion, a Multidisciplinary Studies major is perfect if you wish to continue your education, because it has a wide range of fields of study to choose from for graduate school.

On whether he would enroll in this program again if he had to do things over: 

Yes, I would enroll in this program again because I had a great overall experience. The online program allows you to work with your own available time and even though it may be challenging at times, discipline and responsibility are key for success.