Diego Vita/THE RIDER
UTRGV hosted the 2026 Student Leader Kickoff where university officials encouraged attendees to become more involved and help shape the university’s future.
Christopher Stubbs, UTRGV associate vice president, reminded students that leadership does not depend on having an official title.
“You don’t need a title,” Stubbs said. “You need to be able to identify a problem or an opportunity.”
He encouraged students to bring people together and take action to create change.
“What you do in those hours is what makes you a leader,” he said.
The event also focused on creating new traditions and increasing student involvement during the 2026-27 school year.
Chasse Conque, UTRGV senior vice president and director of Athletics, highlighted the important role students have in building the university’s traditions.
“If we create new traditions when they get here to campus in a couple of weeks, they’ll think that these traditions have been around forever,” Conque said.
UTRGV also announced an expansion of Vaqueros Stadium, adding about 1,500 seats and creating around 3,300 seats for students in the south end zone.
The university also introduced new tailgate activities, leadership programs and Welcome Week events. Student Activities staff encouraged student organizations to create their own traditions and bring new ideas to campus. Students were also encouraged to invite others to events, especially those who may feel uncomfortable attending alone.
Diego Vita/THE RIDER
Diego Vita/THE RIDER
Diego Vita/THE RIDER
Diego Vita/THE RIDER
Diego Vita/THE RIDER
