OLLU-RGV and South Texas College (STC) solidified their commitment to collaborative education with a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the STC Pecan campus in McAllen.
By merging resources and expertise, OLLU-RGV and STC aim to enhance academic offerings, facilitate credit transfer, and streamline pathways for students transitioning between institutions. This collaborative effort serves to empower students by providing a broader spectrum of educational opportunities and ensuring a smoother academic journey.
OLLU-RGV Campus Director Cindy Mata-Vasquez expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. “This memorandum represents our shared commitment to student success,” she said, “and underscores the importance of collaboration between our institutions in providing enhanced educational pathways for the benefit of our Rio Grande Valley students.”
The OLLU athletics program has welcomed and helped graduate international student-athletes for more than 17 years. International students are an important part of the OLLU community and help carry the OLLU experience to all parts of the world. According to 2022 data, of all the international students who attend OLLU, 75 percent of them are student-athletes and they marked a 3.6 GPA compared to the OLLU average of 3.2.
Mary Scotka is OLLU’s Assistant Vice President for Administration and the F-1 Visa (academic student) Principal Designated School Official (PDSO). As the PDSO, Scotka provides recommendations to F-1 students enrolled at OLLU regarding maintenance of nonimmigrant status and to support timely and complete record-keeping to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
She commented, “OLLU provides our international students with services support resources and programs, so they have a strong, vibrant experience while studying in the United States. International students are encouraged to be engaged in their studies and to take advantage of the many co-curricular, on-campus activities and opportunities throughout San Antonio.”
Other Designated School Officials (DSO) at OLLU are J. Carlos Laird from Undergraduate Admissions in San Antonio; Cindy Mata-Vasquez from the OLLU Rio Grande Valley campus; and Jamina Scippio-McFadden from the OLLU Houston campus. Information on the international admission requirements, admitted students, English proficiency requirement, credential evaluation, where students are from, the international team and other helpful resources, go here.
Whereas other universities may have more international students, OLLU’s receive hands-on learning and have faculty who serve as mentors and guides, both of which are hallmarks of an OLLU education. They also receive invaluable support from the athletics and coaching staffs.
The most popular majors for international students are kinesiology and business. All programs offered are designed to ensure their success during their time here and upon graduation. Scotka said, “We embrace them from the start, and we make sure we give them a good experience. We meet with them as soon as they come on campus and at the end of their semester. In between, we are available to help them along the way.”
The men’s basketball team has the most international student athletes, largely because of the relationships fostered by Head Coach Chris Dial. He is the founder of The Basketball Embassy, a multinational, nonprofit organization that builds community through basketball and assists National Basketball Federations as well as other organizations in their quest to grow and develop the game of basketball in their country or region. He has been able to bring in student-athletes from throughout the world.
In addition, the women’s basketball, volleyball, tennis, golf and soccer teams have all had international student-athletes from such countries as Argentina, Australia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Equador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Lithuania, Montenegro, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Sweden, Uganda, Venezuela, Wales and Zimbabwe. However, the majority have been from Mexico, the United Kingdom and Brazil. Sixty-six percent are male, 75 percent are undergraduates, 16 percent are pursuing a master’s degree and nine percent are in a doctoral program. Forty percent of the international students are employed on campus.
Cindy Mata-Vasquez, a Rio Grande Valley resident with 15 years of experience in higher education, has been named the new director of the OLLU-RGV campus.
Mata-Vasquez most recently served as Director for Student Activities at the University of Texas-RGV for the past seven years. She begins her new position on July 20.
“I am looking forward to highlighting the programs and services the university and satellite campus have to offer to residents of the Rio Grande Valley,” Mata-Vasquez said. “Having grown up in the area, it excites me to be able to provide additional avenues for folks to have options to continue their education and give back, right here in the region.”
The oldest of three siblings, Mata-Vasquez moved from Queretaro, Mexico, to the Rio Grande Valley with her family at the age of six. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Texas-Pan American (now UT-RGV) in 2004, a Master of Arts in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005 and an MBA from UT-RGV in 2020.
Prior to working at UT-RGV, Mata-Vasquez served as Director of Special Programs at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen. She is eager to assume her new position.
“One of my first goals is to work closely with the RGV team and find out how my role can help support them and their professional goals,” she said. “I am also looking forward to connecting with local chambers of commerce and city leaders to find out how OLLU can be visible in their communities. Communication and visibility will be key to accomplish these goals as well as creating partnerships with each entity.”
