Fluent futures

Celebrating the B3 Scholar Ceremony

Some may think obtaining higher education in Spanish in the United States, an English-dominant country, is not possible. 

José Dávila-Montes, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of Spanish translation and interpreting, said it was “just a dream” 10 years ago and hopes to see students “one day complete entire degrees in [Spanish] if they choose.”

To promote these efforts, the UTRGV Department of Bilingual Integration honored excellence during the annual B3 Scholar Ceremony Wednesday in the PlainsCapital Bank Theater on the Edinburg campus.

“This ceremony is a celebration of our students’ bilingualism and how they’ve used that as a strength to connect with their communities, families and culture,” said Joy Esquierdo, vice provost for the Office for Bilingual Integration. “It’s about seeing their language not as a barrier but as a bridge.”

Esquierdo said the program helps students feel seen and heard on campus and empowers them to succeed both academically and personally.

“I think one of the biggest things we have seen from our students is their sense of belonging,” she said. “They feel more connected to their classes and degrees.”

The vice provost added the program ties culture in with studies, which can bring positive effects to the community.

“Students having the opportunity to take classes in Spanish, brings in their culture,” Esquierdo said. “I think that, in itself, is amazing for our students and community because they have a way to intellectualize on personal experiences.”

Dávila-Montes said the ceremony shows how far UTRGV has come as a bilingual institution.

“Now, we have a bilingual university where students can study their disciplines in their language of choice,” he said.

The dean emphasized the cultural benefits of bilingual education and how it gives students a broader worldview and prepares them to become more competitive professionals.

“For our region, this isn’t just important—it’s essential,” Dávila-Montes said. “Language and culture go hand in hand, and our students deserve to learn in a way that reflects who they are.”

Yuritzy Charles Alejos, a philosophy senior, was a recipient of the B3 scholar seal and described the recognition as a powerful, personal moment.

“It feels shocking—in a good way,” Charles Alejos said. “I never thought I’d be recognized for something like my culture, growing up between two worlds. But, it feels amazing to reconnect with my roots.”

She credited the B3 program for helping her grow both academically and professionally as it gave her a deeper understanding of her heritage and a stronger foundation for her future.

“Take it, no matter your level,” Charles Alejos said, encouraging students to embrace bilingual education. “It will enrich your life in the long run.”