Meet the Staff
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Assistant Dean of Students
Director of Student Involvement
Rebecca Gadson
gadsonr@utpa.edu
(956) 665-2660
University Center 205
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What’s your favorite TV station and why? Before becoming a Mom, my favorite channels were HGTV and TLC. I am particularly fond of watching the home make-over and “do-it-yourself” shows. I also love the style shows like What Not to Wear and shows that invite you into the lives of others like Bringing Home Baby or the Duggars: 18 Kids and Counting. My new favorite is commercial free Nick Jr. (formerly Noggin).
What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up? I watched Little House on the Prairie every day after school and even read the entire Laura Ingalls Wilder series.
Do you prefer to read fiction or nonfiction? Explain your choice. I prefer to read non-fiction because reading for me is about escape. Books that have suspenseful story lines are my favorite. I have read nearly every Kay Scarpetta book by Patricia Cornwell; the J.D. Robb (pseudonym for Nora Roberts) series featuring Detective Eve Dallas in a futuristic setting; and the Janet Evanovich series featuring Stephanie Plum, who is a very comical bounty hunter. Other favorite authors are Dean Koontz, Maya Angelou, Nora Okja Keller, and Amy Tan.
Has reading a book ever made you cry? Which one and why? Tons of books have made me cry. I get so involved with the story line and often have a sense of connection with characters in books. But one of my all time favorites that I love to share with graduates who aspire to work in higher education is Tuesdays With Morrie”. The book is by Mitch Albom and he shares insights that he gains from his visits with a mentor and friend. It’s an incredible true story about the power one can have on others.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it? “Almost There But Not Quite” The process of growing and becoming our best version of ourselves is exactly that, a process. A book about my life would focus on identity development, self-reflection, anecdotal stories from those much wiser than myself, inspirational quotes, and an opportunity for those joining the reading journey to do some reflection too.
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Assistant Director of
Office for Student Involvement
Jodie Moore-Dominguez
mjmoore@utpa.edu
(956) 665-2660
University Center 205
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What’s your favorite TV station and why? My favorite TV station is the Food Network, I love watching all the different shows that come out (especially Chopped and Cupcake Wars), it inspires me to be a better cook and baker!
What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up? I would have to say that my favorite TV show when growing up was Full House, I would love to watch it every day when I got home from school. I also liked to watch Saved by the Bell.
Would you rather see a movie at the theater or at home on DVD? Why? I would rather watch a movie at home it’s just more comfortable and when I want a snack I can always pause the movie get my snack and then continue watching the movie.
Do you read movie reviews? If so, which reviewers do you enjoy? If not, why? I don’t read movie reviews because I feel those are other people’s opinions and everyone has a different opinion. I prefer to watch the movie and see for myself.
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Program Coordinator
Fraternity/Sorority Life and Leadership
Erica Lopez
lopezen@utpa.edu
(956) 665-2660
University Center 205
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What’s your favorite movie of all time and why?
My favorite movie of all time is The Wizard of Oz. I love how Dorothy helps others on her path through Oz! All of the characters already possessed what they thought they were missing, and Dorothy realizes that everything she needed was always in her own back yard to begin with. Classic!
What’s your favorite TV show of all time and why?
When it comes to TV shows, my guilty pleasure is watching Wheel of Fortune! If I’m not working late I make sure to watch this show. I am really good at solving the puzzles and toss-ups. My secret dream is to go on the show one day and win lots of money!
Have you ever been on TV?
I actually have been on TV twice. Once when I was a young girl. I remember playing a beanbag game at school that ended up on the news later that night. I was also on ESPN with Navarro College’s dance team. We competed in the nationally televised NCA/NDA Collegiate Cheer & Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida. Our team placed 9th in the nation, so we were featured on the results show that aired.
Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?
I was watching Oprah one day and she featured Eckhart Toll’s book, “A New Earth”. It sounded really interesting, so I thought I would try it out. After reading this book my views of spirituality and peace of mind changed dramatically. I enjoy reading books that offer insight into personal well-being and self enlightenment and this book definitely deepened that interest.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?
I think the title would be “It is what it is”. This is one of my favorite sayings and I really try to live by it. Everything that has happened in my life happened for a reason. It is my job to learn, grow, love, and give and the rest will all fall into place!
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Student Organization Development
Carina Alcantara
alcantarac@utpa.edu
(956) 665-2660
University Center 205
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Do you read movie reviews? If so, which reviewers do you enjoy? If not, why? I try not to, I rather see the movie for myself, or else I find myself disagreeing with the review.
Would you rather see a movie at the theater or at home on DVD? Why? At home on DVD, because I have my own big screen TV, my own surround sound and of course a cozy chair to watch the movies in….mmmm feels like it’s time for a movie night!
What’s your favorite TV show of all time and why? The Cosby Show, I love Bill Cosby’s humor. He is such an amazing person overall, and I don’t get tired of the re-runs.
Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes? Yes, the Bible! It is my biggest source of inspiration and guidance. I know it might sound clichéd to some, but for me, the Bible is my life’s foundation. Because I choose to believe it contains the essence of truth, I try to live my life in accordance to that truth. I have always tried to integrate my faith in whatever I do. I know I am not always successful, but it is my desire to practice what I preach.
Have you ever written (or started to write) a book? Yes, actually more like a script, I haven’t finished it.
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Administrative Assistant I
Luz Ramos
lramos6@utpa.edu
(956) 665-2660
University Center 205
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What’s your favorite movie of all time and why?
My favorite movie of all time is The Passion of Christ, because it is the most amazing love story I’ve ever heard and seen, they captured everything that love goes through from laughter to the ultimate sacrifice of giving up your own will for the one you love.
Do you cry at movies? If so, which movies make you cry?
Of course I cry with movies! I pretty much cry with any movie that might have a sentimental part…even with cartoons! I often get teased by family and friends because I cried with Disney’s Tarzan …it was heartbreaking to me when he was leaving the gorilla he knew as his mother to go and be with people that looked like him!
What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?
My favorite TV show growing up had to be Full House…I related a lot with Stephanie Tanner, her attitude and her relationship with her older sister DJ Tanner!
If you could be a character in any novel you’ve ever read, who would you be and why?
It wouldn’t really be a novel but I’d want to be Job in the Bible because he kept his head up and he never doubted that God would get him through everything even when he had lost everything. To be able to have that never ending faith is my life goal!
Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes? Yes, there have been several but the most recent would be Captivating by: John & Stephanie Eldredge because the book gave me a different perspective of my relationship with God and I appreciate the relationship I’ve built with Him more thanks to the book!
What was your favorite book as a child and why?
Where the Sidewalk Ends by: Shel Silverstein, it’s a book filled with children’s poems and my favorite poem is “Sick”. I remember my 5th grade teacher Ms. Perez reading it to us and she would read every poem with so much emotion that you could picture everything that was happening! I felt every word she said, to this day I read it and I still laugh!
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Administrative Assistant II
Magda Garcia
mgarcia1t@utpa.edu
(956) 665-2660
University Center 205
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Do you read movie reviews? If so, which reviewers do you enjoy? If not, why? I try not to, I rather see the movie for myself, or else I find myself disagreeing with the review.
Would you rather see a movie at the theater or at home on DVD? Why? At home on DVD, because I have my own big screen TV, my own surround sound and of course a cozy chair to watch the movies in….mmmm feels like it’s time for a movie night!
What’s your favorite TV show of all time and why? The Cosby Show, I love Bill Cosby’s humor. He is such an amazing person overall, and I don’t get tired of the re-runs.
Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes? Yes, the Bible! It is my biggest source of inspiration and guidance. I know it might sound clichéd to some, but for me, the Bible is my life’s foundation. Because I choose to believe it contains the essence of truth, I try to live my life in accordance to that truth. I have always tried to integrate my faith in whatever I do. I know I am not always successful, but it is my desire to practice what I preach.
Have you ever written (or started to write) a book? Yes, actually more like a script, I haven’t finished it.
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Office Assistant II
Daniela Venegas
venegasdk@utpa.edu
(956) 665-2660
University Center 205
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What’s your favorite movie of all time and why?
I have several favorite movies such as Taken, I like it because of the plot. It is impressive to see what a father would do, in order to save his daughters. Cinderella Story and Mean Girls are two others that are my favorites.
What was the best movie you saw this last year and why?
One of the best movies that I saw was the Adjustment Bureau and Black Swan. I love the plot and the performance of the actors.
What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?
Picnic, a Mexican TV show that gave the spectators fashion tips etc. Also, Chabelo, a Mexican show where kids go and participate in games in order to win toys.
Has a television show ever moved you to tears? If yes, which one and when?
Yes, Teleton a Mexican show that happens once per year that shows the stories of kids that are disabled and their main purpose is to get funds to help them.
Name one book you had to read but hated, and explain why you hated it. Help! I’m Trapped in the Library I did not like it because it was boring, but I had to read it for my English class.
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