Dayra Gonzalez 
Karla Hernandez/THE RIDER
UTRGV offers more than 100 academic minors in its 2025–26 catalog, providing students opportunities to expand their studies beyond their majors. Yet many students remain unaware of the range of programs, which university officials say can boost career prospects and enrich the college experience.
Peter-James Ehimika, director of Student Success Initiatives, said minors are more than an add-on: they can help students stand out in competitive fields.
Ehimika said while students usually put time into selecting a major, they do not always consider how a minor might strengthen their resume or complement future goals.
“Maybe two people graduate with the same degree from the same university,” he said. “It could be their minor that sets them apart.”
The director added some minors are tied closely to certain majors. At the same time, UTRGV has minors that are not as well known, such as hospitality and tourism management, jazz studies, legal studies and music technology. Programs such as Spanish for healthcare, he added, can also prepare students for local careers.
Ehimika said the list of minors has grown significantly in recent years as the university adapts to new demands. The university regularly updates programs during its curriculum cycle, and the growth of both majors and minors reflect efforts to stay current with 21st-century education.
One example of a program that answers to local needs is the Spanish Translation and Interpreting minor, according to Gabriel González Núñez, associate professor of Translation and director of Translation and Interpreting Programs.
González Núñez said it gives bilingual students the chance to refine their Spanish and English skills for professional use and requires 18 credit hours.
He said many students do not realize translation requires formal training, since the assumption is often “anyone bilingual can do it.” And, employers, however, value a credential that shows a graduate has studied the field.
González Núñez said the program fits well with majors in health, criminal justice and government, where translation and interpreting are often in demand.
He added completing the program also qualifies students for the B3 Scholar Seal, which recognizes bilingual and bicultural achievement.
Deciding on a minor, however, goes beyond simply choosing an interest. Academic advisers play a role in guiding students through requirements and helping them understand how a minor can fit into their degree plan, according to Aaliyah Gonzales-Zepeda, lead academic advisor on the Brownsville campus.
Gonzales-Zepeda said advisers encourage students to choose minors that align with their goals, strengths and long-term plans rather than add one “just for the sake of it.”
She said adding a minor can sometimes extend graduation, but believes the benefits are worth it. The academic adviser added whether it is developing new skills, preparing for graduate school or simply pursuing a passion, she tells students to see a minor as an investment in themselves.
“I would always say speak with an adviser, if you can, in person, … and you get to cultivate the relationship to feel comfortable enough to speak with your adviser,” Gonzales-Zepeda said. “… In our friend groups and … classes sometimes the information we get it’s kind of, like, telephone.”
She added over time students might come with “half-truths” and it is the adviser’s job to make students feel secured, informed and empowered.
For more information, visit the Academic Advising Center website.
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