Meet Danielle. Hers is a story of determination and second chances. Danielle grew up in Missouri and served in the Army for more than a decade. After being stationed at nearby Fort Bliss, she decided that a career in nursing was her next best step and that step began right here at UTEP. Danielle, you are on.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. I was a combat medic and licensed vocational nurse in the Army for 12 years. Originally, I’m from Missouri, but the military sent me to the El Paso Fort Bliss area three times. On my third time here, I decided to finally take the hint that apparently this is where I’m meant to be and that’s when I decided to attend the UTEP Nursing program. The UTEP Nursing program is helping me to build upon the medical knowledge and skills I obtained during my time in the military. I’ve put so many of my own goals on hold in order to help those that I love accomplish theirs. UTEP is making it possible for me to finally make myself a priority and accomplish a goal that I had set for myself nearly 20 years ago to become a registered nurse. I can’t wait to see how many more people I’m gonna be able to help once I finally finish my degree. Not only is UTEP giving me the tools to continue caring for others, but as a single mother of three, they are helping me to provide a more secure and financially stable future for myself and my children. Between classroom lectures, time spent in the simulation lab and clinical rotations at local hospitals, UTEP provides so many ways for nursing students to gain medical knowledge and hands-on experience. After my BSN, it’s on the next one for me. Master’s, Doctorate, here I come. At the age of 36, I might be a little bit older than the average college student, but I’m not gonna let that stop me from crushing one goal after the other and setting the best example possible for my children. Well, that’s my story. Thanks for listening. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you for your sacrifices and service, Danielle, and we’re inspired by your decision to pursue a career in nursing. UTEP’s Military Student Success Center is a great resource for military students and families like yours to find support, resources, and assistance with military education benefits. Thanks again, Danielle.
Sometimes students find their way and change paths after they start a college degree program. Say hello to Arat. He’s one of those students who took a bit of time. He dabbled in Engineering, Acting, and finally discovered his passion, entrepreneurship. Arat’s a senior at UTEP and loves being a Business major. Tell us all about it, Arat.
– Great intro, Alex. Like many people graduating high school, I didn’t exactly know what career path to choose for college. I started in Engineering, switched to Acting, and then dropped out for a couple of years to figure out what career I would be passionate about. In the meantime, I worked as a successful realtor and loved it. That experience led me to discover that I really liked networking, sales and entrepreneurship, so I decided to get a Business degree. I joined the UTEP chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization and had the chance to go to the CEO Global Pitch Competition in Chicago where I saw students from around the world pitch their business idea. I knew I wanted to do that someday. After the competition, I received an email from the Blackstone Launchpad at UTEP regarding a pitch competition and ideation workshop. There, I came up with an idea I really liked, a rapid test kit to measure fabric toxicity. I presented it at two pitch competitions and lost, but used the feedback to make some changes. When I competed at the next National Blackstone Launch for Idea Competition, I won the top prize of $10,000. The faculty and staff of UTEP’s Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce help me find the resources and guidance to embark on this journey to become an entrepreneur. After I won the national competition, UTEP’s president invited me to discuss my future goals. Thanks to the university promoting my win, different foundations and capital ranchers approach me to discuss next steps for my business idea. This summer, I will be participating in the local accelerator program to create my product. Additionally, my business idea is one of the 360 startups chosen from a pool of 10,000 applications to compete for the $1 million whole prize. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, UTEP sure has given you some really incredible opportunities, Arat. From winning the top prize at a national competition to working with a program to help you create your product, UTEP has been a great place to get a degree and to make valuable connections. Great job.
It’s time to hear from Abeni Janae. She might even sing because she recently graduated from UTEP with a Bachelor of Music in commercial music in voice, and she’s currently pursuing a Master of Music with a concentration in Composition. So there is no better person to talk about the fine arts at UTEP. Abeni Janae, please take it away.
– Thanks for the intro, Alex. Since I was 13 years old, I knew I wanted to pursue music. I sang in an open mic night at a youth center for military kids, and even though I was extremely shy, something about being behind a microphone felt so natural. ♪ Give us grace, appear ♪ I originally started as a Vocal Performance major and was accepted into the UTEP Concert Chorale. After the first semester, the pandemic happened and it made me reevaluate my life in music. I switched to Commercial Music and got more into composition. I became the youngest composer published under Carl Fisher Music for my arrangement of “Hold On Just a Little While Longer.” Two years later, I had my arrangement of “Lord I know I’ve Been Changed” premiered by a local high school choir at Carnegie Hall. Being in the UTEP music department gives me a wide variety of experiences, including study abroad trips to Leeds, England with the UTEP Chamber Singers. I was able to return to Carnegie Hall, this time as a performer with the UTEP Chorale Union. Being in commercial music puts me in the unique position of performing not only with the choirs, but also the commercial music ensemble, and sometimes the jazz band. I decided to pursue my graduate studies here in Composition. I’m now a teaching assistant with the Commercial Music Ensemble and still a member of the Concert Chorale and the Chamber Singers. Being at UTEP gave me the space I needed to grow as a musician and a person. It’s rare to be able to do what I have accomplished during my undergraduate studies at other schools, especially with the amount of love and support I’ve received from my peers and professors. This is my home and it always will be. handing the mic back to you, Alex.
– That is music to our ears, Abeni Janae. It sounds like UTEP has given you an incredible foundation for your future career. The opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City is something that very few musicians can say they have done especially so early in their careers. Thank you again for sharing your story.
UTEP is a place where students can make great things happen by getting involved. Let’s meet Aiyana. She’s a Business major and boy is she busy from helping with major campus events like Miner Palooza to being in a women’s fraternity. UTEP students have so many opportunities to make connections and make a difference. Aiyana, tell us more.
– Thanks Alex. Hey, y’all. Academics, community service and campus involvement have always been very important to me. As a salutatorian of my graduating class for Ysleta High School in El Paso, I was chosen as a UTEP Terry Scholar, an opportunity to attend the university on a full-ride scholarship as well as experience living on campus. UTEP has become my home away from home and not just because I live here, but because it’s provided me with amazing opportunities and relationships. One of the best decisions I made was joining Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s Fraternity where we advocate for breast cancer education and awareness. Through this organization, my sisters and I help give back to our community and our campus. But aside from being advocates, we are a family that supports each other no matter what. College is hard, but my sisters have made my transition so much easier. As a freshman, I’ve already created countless memories and friendships I know will last a lifetime. When it comes to balancing school, work, and student organizations, working and living on campus makes getting involved so much easier. As an intern at the Student Engagement and Leadership Center, I have the opportunity to put on some of the biggest events that UTEP has to offer, including Miner Palooza, Texas Western Gold Rush, and Up All Night. I like to say UTEP is a hidden gem when it comes to Texas universities. In my short time here, I’ve received opportunities that not only help me grow as a scholar, but discover who I am as an individual. I know that by the time that I graduate with my Business degree, no place could have better prepared me to start my own media marketing company than the University of Texas at El Paso. Go Miners. Take it away, Alex.
– It sure sounds like you are juggling a lot, Aiyana, but we know you wouldn’t want it any other way. Thanks to UTEP, you have so many options in front of you and thank you for giving back and being a role model for other UTEP students. That is awesome. Take care.
Let’s meet Kasandra. She’s in the Speech-Language Pathology Program and she came to UTEP from Midland, Texas at only 17 years old. Being new to a place can be kind of scary. Will you make new friends? Will you feel at home? Kasandra, tell us about your campus experience. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex, and welcome to UTEP. No matter where you’re from or what you look like, the UTEP community really wants everyone to know that they are indeed welcome. I hope you feel the love while you’re here. I know I do. Graduating a year early from high school, I knew I wanted to attend a college that offered an excellent speech language pathology program and felt like home away from home. The University of Texas at El Paso was a college just for me. Leaving behind my family at 17 during the COVID Pandemic did not stop me from falling in love with UTEP. Living on campus, I made amazing friends and memories that I’ll never forget with the friendly people, the mountain views, a binational culture and not to mention, the tacos. UTEP gave me a sense of belonging and I had no problem adjusting. Another thing I really love about UTEP are the opportunities to do amazing things. My second year at UTEP, I became a resident assistant at the dorms. Being an RA was really rewarding. I met so many different people with different backgrounds and I grew a passion for helping others. When you work on campus at UTEP, the supportive supervisors understand that academics come first and are very flexible. Working as an RA, I learned important skills in interpersonal communication and time management. That will be super helpful when I graduate and become a speech pathologist. One of the coolest academic experiences I’ve had at UTEP was being able to work as an undergraduate on groundbreaking research on bilingual children who stutter. Moving to El Paso to study at UTEP was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. That’s it for me. Back to you, Alex.
– New friends experiences, opportunities, and did we hear you say tacos? We’ve heard that El Paso has the world’s best tacos from a lot of students since arriving. We’re so glad UTEP made you feel welcome and that you’re looking forward to helping others in your speech pathology career. Thank you for sharing your story, Kasandra. That was amazing.
It is time to meet Maximilian. He’s a Mechanical Engineering grad student who’s had incredible opportunities like internships and the chance to lead a national organization, all thanks to UTEP. And get this, when he finishes his master’s degree, he’s going to be doing something that’s out of this world. Are you ready for liftoff? Take it away, Maximilian.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. I always knew I wanted to study Engineering. As I was narrowing down the right universities for me, I found that UTEP had the resources, academic rigor, and community to push me towards my future as an engineer. My path at UTEP began conducting undergraduate research as a national Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fellow where I worked hands-on to create a prototype lysimeter. I even presented my research at the 10th Biennial NOAA Education and Science Forum. I also worked as a Student Engagement and Leadership Center intern where I got involved with university events and even got to interview a NASA engineer and astronaut. As an Air Force ROTC cadet, I learned how to balance engineering and military life with lots of support from UTEP. And as a top 10 senior, Hawkins Scholar, and Rhodes Scholarship finalist, I can tell you that UTEP students compete at the highest levels of higher education. UTEP equipped me with the skills for internships at the United Nations, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and my upcoming internship with Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Being an intern with the UN, I was able to expand my global perspective and learn about many different cultures. With Johns Hopkins, I was able to create a tool to see missile trajectories in a virtual environment. I was elected president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, one of over 200 campus organizations. One of my favorite experiences is TCM Day. It’s UTEP’s longest running tradition and I had the honor of being chosen to lead fun and challenging activities, including painting the M on UTEP’s mountain. After graduating with my master’s in Mechanical Engineering, I’ll commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Space Force to secure our nation’s interest in, from and to space. Go Miners. I’ve gotta take off now. Back to you, Alex.
– That is a very impressive college resume, Maximilian. The Engineering program at UTEP certainly helped give you the wins you’ll need for a successful career in the Space Force. UTEP will also be so proud to have an alum helping keep our country safe. We salute you and picks up.
Meet Colby, a Barbering grad from Ogden who is upgrading his career by returning to complete the Cosmetology program. Colby is among the 33% of OTECH students who are between the ages of 26 and 60-plus who know that technical education is beneficial no matter where you are in your life or your career. Colby, over to you.
– Thank you for the introduction, Alex. Growing up in Utah and being biracial, it made it super difficult to get good haircuts. People just weren’t as familiar as they are today with different textures of hair. This led me to cutting my own hair and creating a passion for hair cutting and hair styling. I knew I wanted to begin my journey in the hair industry and needed an affordable school that would work with my schedule. Ogden-Weber Technical College met all of my needs. I graduated from the barbering program in 2011 and obtained my license. I’ve been a professional barber since then and a manager at another level barber shop. My passion for the hair industry has always caused me to seek more, learn more, and educate myself, so I joined the award-winning Chrystofer Benson Collective hair team. Being surrounded with talent and creativity and working with artists from all over the world opened up other avenues in the hair industry. With this inspiration, I decided to go back to school at the age of 43. Being an alum made it a no-brainer to look into the OTECH cosmetology program. As a new father, the decision to return to school was difficult financially. Fortunately, there were several assistance options, and I received a scholarship that covers my full tuition. The support I’ve received at OTECH is unmatched. The instructors are well-versed in cosmetology specialties and provide a broad learning experience. From the counselors and the student success center to the alumni association, everyone here has made returning to school great. After the completion of the program, my goal is to open a barbershop and salon in the community that I grew up in, and I have a plan to pass that on to my daughter. I wanna thank OTECH for supporting me and helping me achieve my dreams. Back to you, Alex
– Colby, thank you for taking us on your journey from one tech certificate into a successful career and back for another OTECH program to take that career to the next level. Your story demonstrates how stackable tech college credentials can open new pathways and opportunities to grow. That was awesome. Thanks again.
Let’s meet Karen, an experienced cosmetologist from Roy, Utah, whose love for creativity and art led her to the Welding Program. Though she may not seem like a typical welder, Karen found a community and instructors who helped her combine advanced technical skills with her passion for artistic expression. Karen, tell us all about it.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone, when I moved to Utah, I left behind a 20-year career as a hairstylist. Above all things, I’m an artist. And ever since I was a child, I’ve always been looking for ways to expand my creative skillset. I’d always had an interest in learning how to weld, but being a mom with a full-time career, I didn’t have the time. When we moved here, my husband suggested OTECH. Even though my goals were art-related, I developed an intense respect for all the welding methods. For the first time in two decades, I was reminded what it was like to learn a new technical skill. It was incredible to share community and friendships with a diverse group of students. We all celebrated each other’s victories and faced our challenges head on. The instructors demonstrated their expert knowledge, encouraged growth and shared in our successes. They went beyond instructing, they mentored, they shared their craft with pride and patiently found ways to help each student. When I expressed interest in joining the OTECH SkillsUSA competition team for sculptural welding, the instructors gave me their complete support. They worked with us for months to help finesse our skills and make sure that we were on point. One of the things I love most about OTECH is the sense of community you feel no matter where or who you are. I met staff from across the campus, who echoed the same desire to help that I’d already experienced from my instructors. And I’m not gonna lie, the food at the Campus Grill is delicious. I was so inspired watching the fulfillment the instructors got when a student completed the program that I’m proud to say I am now a cosmetology instructor at OTECH. Being a student here made me wanna change lives, and Ogden-Weber Tech has given me the opportunity to do just that. Back to you, Alex.
– Karen, it is awesome that your OTECH experience inspired you to help others have that same life-changing opportunity. Welding now has more students than any other program on campus, due in large part to invested instructors who support and mentor students every step of the way. Thanks again. Karen.
Let’s hear from Jarom, an Apprentice Electrician from Ogden. OTECH is the largest apprenticeship provider in Utah, offering students the unique opportunity to earn while they learn. Jarom is an exceptional Apprenticeship student who attends OTECH for his educational training hours while earning great wages and getting on the job experience with a local employer. Take it away.
– Hello, Alex, you are too kind. I’m now a sparky or an electrician, but my OTECH story began about seven years ago when I came here for medical billing and coding. Probably, like a lot of you, my educational and career path wasn’t a straight one, but OTECH has been there every step of the way. One of the advantages of OTECH is being able to find out what you love to do through real, affordable, and flexible hands-on training. I knew I wanted a career in something technical and challenging, but just didn’t know quite what. I had headed down paths for elementary education and computer programming. And while they had their merits, they just weren’t what I found that I loved. In the meantime, I had gotten married and had three great kids. I looked for a career option that would be great for my family longterm and decided to do a trade. I had a friend that worked in electrical and have graduated from OTECH, and he inspired me to enroll again. It has been a perfect fit for me. It’s a field that is difficult, rewarding, stretches me, and makes me solve problems I never thought I’d have to solve. The experience I have gained here both hands on and in the classroom has benefited me enormously. Because of the flexible apprenticeship programs at OTECH, I have begun a fulfilling career. I even took and passed my state licensing tests on the first try. I now have a residential journeyman license and over 6,000 hours of experience under my tool belt. With one more year of schooling and experience, I can test for my full journeyman’s license. With some more experience, I can get my master’s license. That means I can serve my community through my own electrical business. Alex, back to you.
– Jarom, it sounds like an Apprenticeship program at OTECH has been an amazing opportunity for you and your family. The ability to earn a substantial wage while furthering your education will set you up for success for decades to come. Thanks again.
Let’s meet Denisse, a Medical Assistant student from Ogden, whose OTECH certificate is the first step in her healthcare career plans. While Denisse learns how to provide care for her future patients, OTECH is giving her resources and support to ensure her own health and wellbeing are taking care of as well. Denisse, over to you.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. When we’re kids, we know exactly what we wanna be. I wanted to be a princess. Others wanted to be lawyers, teachers, even the president of the United States. But somehow when we get to high school, we have no idea what we wanna do with our lives. I applied to the Ogden-Weber Technical College, not only to get an education, but to ignite my future and purpose in life. Once here, I learned very quickly how mental health affects student success. As an OTECH student, I have access to free therapy from a licensed therapist and support from my program. These services outside of school would cost a fortune. Resources like the Student Success Center and the Zen Den are like the best friends I didn’t know I needed. I go to the Zen Den. It’s an area where students can relax and de-stress quite often. It’s a great way to take care of my health while studying about health, from meditating, to coloring, to getting a cup of tea, it’s the little things that make a big impact. It’s like passing my tests. I chose medical assisting because of my desire to help others and passion for change. Working one-on-one with instructors, having hands-on experience and volunteering in the community have given me the confidence and skills to build a career, not just a job. The medical assistant program has paved the foundation for me to one day become a neurosurgeon. OTECH has supported me every step of the way. They have helped me with university admissions and revamping my resume for medical externships. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I know with OTECH, I made the right choice. Back to you, Alex.
– Denisse, it is great to see that OTECH is looking out for your mental health while also supporting you academically. We can all use some time in the Zen Den. Best of luck in your future endeavors, and thank you for giving us a glimpse of your OTECH experience. That was great.